Transmission 35: A Delightful Turn
Eliza's interrogation of the former Numbuh 23, Virginia Sims has taken a unique turn.
"Why are you treating me like you know me?"
The bluntness of Virginia's question shocks Eliza, who struggles to answer and from the corner of her eye, she looks at the wall behind her, beyond which, the others are watching. The look in her eyes tells Numbuh Gamma to contact her.
"It's risky, but go ahead. We might get a reaction out of her." he speaks to Eliza through her ear piece and she sighs.
"Do you want know?"
"That's why I asked. You don't seem like you're pretending to know me."
"You're right, I do know…or more like, knew you. Many people in this base knew you actually."
"Huh?"
"Okay, I guess we can talk for a little longer. Now, before I tell you anything, you need to understand that I'm not supposed to show you these, since it's classified material, but I'm going to take that risk."
"Why are you making it sound like this is super serious?"
"It is. Here." Eliza takes a paper form the folder and puts it on the table. It is Virginia's KND profile.
"Huh, what's this…What?! That's me when I was ten…why…what does all this mean?"
"KND Operative Virginia Sims, Codename: Numbuh 23, Incendiary Confectionery Munitions Agent of Sector K, later assigned to Sector M. Status: Decommissioned. That's your KND profile."
"I…I was in the KND?! But…how? I don't remember any of this?! Are you tricking me?"
"No, it's the truth. The KND always decommission operatives when they become 13. Many ex-KND operatives join the Ninjas, even if they don't remember it. You weren't an exception to that rule."
"So, they took my memories?! No way…and you're saying the Ninjas are former KND members too?"
"Yes, some of them fled decommissioning while others were recruited after the fact. But you…you're different."
"What's that supposed to mean? Can't you like, bring my memory back?"
"If we could, I would personally do it, but it's not possible. You weren't decommissioned in the same way as the others. The KND used a new kind of memory erasing that destroyed your memories of the KND. There is no way of getting them back." Eliza says with sad expression. The genuine sadness on her face leaves Virginia speechless and she looks at her profile again.
"Oh…so that's why I couldn't remember anything from elementary school… Then…did I have friends in the KND?"
"Yes, you did. A lot. Do you want to see some pictures?"
"O…okay…" Virginia replies hesitantly and Eliza hands her three pictures: One is a group photo of her with her first team at Sector K, the second one of her in the KND Science Fair with her second team of Sector M and finally, the third taken from a slumber party. With her in it are three other girls and a fourth one who looks suspiciously like a boy. She stares at the photos in awe but then suddenly, her head starts feeling odd.
"What's wrong?"
"I…I…I can…I've seen these…augh…ah…AHHH!" Virginia starts to scream from pain and collapses on the floor, holding her head.
"Virginia!" Eliza gets up and runs to her side when she notices that the earring on Virginia's right ear is glowing light blue
…
At the same time, the Teen Ninjas are busy repairing the damage done to their Hideout. With the hangar out of commission, they have no way of launching Cycles or any other craft from it. In the base's control room, Cree is sitting silently on a large recliner, her eyes filled with anger. Following Abby's escape, she attempted to go after her but was stopped by a direct order from Father, who sounded unusually calm about the whole affair, even though the damage their Hideout suffered has hindered the Ninja's operations greatly. As she silently watches at the other Ninjas working hard to bring the Hideout back full working order, she puts her hand over her right cheek, which has a long bandage covering the cut left by Abby's claw.
"Damn you Abby…You got away again…" she thinks to herself and sighs. Then, a Ninja, manning a communications terminal calls for her.
"Uhm, Supreme Commander Cree? There's like, an incoming transmission coming from the Delightful Mansion."
"Huh? Put it through…" Cree replies apathetically and stands up as the big screen opposite to her flickers before Father appears on the screen, sitting on his throne.
"Father…" Cree begrudgingly kneels down in-front the screen.
"Hello Ms. Lincoln. I expect the Hideout has been repaired, right?" His condescending and sinister tone both angers and intimidates Cree, who clenches her fist slightly and stands up.
"They're still not done. But once we have the hangar doors fixed, we're going to hunt my sister down."
"Ah, I see your thirst for revenge hasn't gone anywhere. Very commendable but, I'm afraid there's been a…development. I can't have you use up valuable resources to hunt for a single person. No, I have a much bigger target in mind."
"What do you mean? You want us to attack that Treehouse those KNDorks used to shoot down our Cycles?"
"Oh no, I have no interest in dealing with those brats. Your target is the headquarters of the Teens Next Door."
"Oh, believe me, I'd love to march in there and raze it to the ground but we've looked everywhere and haven't found it. Or are you saying you have?"
"Hah-hah, sharp as a tack aren't you. Truth be told, I've grown tired of you Teen Ninjas constantly failing even the smallest tasks I give you, so I had to take matters into my own hands. You haven't even figured out who let your sister escape, haven't you?"
"I…" Cree tries to counter Father's remark but she knows he's right, to her frustration.
"Let me show you." Father disappears from the screen and a picture of Abby and Virginia riding the stolen Cycle above downtown Cleve.
"What?! That girl…she was my…secretary…Abby…damn you, no doubt you tricked her to bail you out…"
"Oh no, she did it out of her own volition. I suspect she didn't share the same ambition the rest of you have. But regardless, your sister happened to tell her where those rebel teens are hiding and she went there. I admit your sister is very smart, she disabled the Cycle's tracker and your secretary's B.R.A.'s communication system. Unfortunately, she wasn't aware that the girl was wearing one of the new model B.R.A. I've given you all. Its tracker is internal, so she has led me right to the enemy's doorstep."
"Then what are we waiting for?! I'll gather all the Ninjas in the state, no, in the country and crush 'em."
"A fine plan, however, I'm afraid you won't be taking part in this operation."
"What?!"
"Like I said, I'm tired of your failures. From now on, I'll be taking direct command of the Teen Ninjas."
"Huh?! That wasn't part of our deal! We teens won't serve you!" Cree shouts furiously at Father, who only finds her reaction amusing.
"Hah-aha! You actually believe I consider you teenagers equal? FOOL! That right is reserved only to my fellow adults. Now, I'm going to politely ask you to stand down as leader of the Teen Ninjas.
"No way! I'm not going to hand over this position I inherited from The Steve! And even if you did depose me, do ya really think the others are gonna do as you say?!" Cree says defiantly as the other Teen Ninjas present come to her side as a sign of support.
"Oh, I don't think, I know! You see, those new model B.R.A.'s I gave you, have something special in them." Then, Father presses a button on his right armrest, causing all of the Ninjas surrounding Cree, and every other Ninja wearing the same armor, to be enveloped in a bright, white light, subjecting them to immense pain. However, Cree is unable to do anything else except watch as her comrades scream in agony. Then, she's blinded by the light and realizes to her horror that the Ninjas who served by her side, have all been Delightfulized. Their armor colors have changed from the normal charcoal gray and red to white and blue, and their expressions have become emotionless while their eyes are wide open and glowing blue.
"No…what did you do?! FATHER!"
"HAHAHAHA! Behold, my new remote Delightfulization Chip! A result, years in development and now, with the single push of a button, I can turn anyone who has that chip into a Delightful Minion!"
"You monster!"
"Why thank you. Now, my dear teen minions, please detain Ms. Lincoln, at once."
"No, you won't get me!" Cree tries to escape from the control room, but the Delightful Teen Ninjas open fire on her, knocking her to the floor before they restrain her.
"Gah, let me go! Don't you remember me?! I'm the Leader of the Teenagers!"
"A foolish girl like yourself doesn't have any right to say that, right Father?" The Ninja who was in charge of the communications terminal just a few seconds ago says with a hollow, cold voice.
"Indeed. Remove her armor and bring her to my mansion. I have something special planned for her. The rest of you, gather every single Ninja in the country and attack this location! I want that hill reduced to a pile of rubble and all the rats hiding within brought to me, all of them!"
"Yes, Father!"
However, unknown to Father, and the Delightfulized Ninjas, someone else saw everything and the person quickly leaves, holding something in his hand.
…
Back at the TND base, as Eliza runs to a screaming Virginia's side, Numbuh Gamma gets a call from Numbuh Omicron.
"Hey, Numbuh Gamma, our scanners are detecting a trace of "Erasure" radiation within the base! We need to find the source before anyone gets exposed to it."
"Roger…wait! Commander, get away from her!"
"What?! Can't you see she's in pain?!"
"Her earring! It still has "Erasure" radiation in it! You need to get back her before…" But before Numbuh Gamma can finish, the B.R.A. that Virginia wore starts to glow blue and begins to twitch. Then, it's straps begins to stretch, as if looking for something. Then, the tentacle like straps reach towards Virginia. Instinctively, Eliza goes to pull her away from the B.R.A. but Nigel recognizes the blue light and runs towards the interrogation room's door.
"NO! Eliza!" Just as he opens the door, the straps wrap around Eliza's left arm and the B.R.A. flies towards, attaching itself onto her.
"What the…AAAAHHHH!" She screams as the whole room is enveloped in a blue light. As the light fades, Nigel opens his eyes and before him, to his absolute horror, stands a Delightfulized Eliza.
Her formerly green and white armor is now blue and white and so is her sword. A blue bow is holding her hair in a ponytail instead of the green scrunchie and her body suit has blue lines in it. She stares back at Nigel with her hollow, bright blue eyes.
"No…no…" Nigel collapses on his knees while his friends are equally horrified. Then, Eliza presses a button on her right gauntlet and a hologram of Father appears on it.
"Well, well, well, looks like I've gotten quite the prize."
"Father! What have you done?!" Nigel becomes enraged at the sight of his uncle and gets up on his feet while his friends come to his side.
"Oh, why hello Mister Uno, do you like my perfected Delightfulization chip? I admit I wasn't expecting to see her wearing my new model B.R.A., but this will most certainly do."
"You…Delightfulized her…damn you, let her go!" Nigel roars as his Silhouette Suit begins to cover him, amusing Father.
"Hah-hah, save your breath, Mister Uno, she is now under my control."
"Not gonna happen!" Wally runs past Nigel and activates his B.R.A.'s gauntlets.
"Numbuh 4, DON'T!" Then, Eliza points her left-hand palm towards Wally, and sends him flying against the wall next to the door using a powerful shockwave.
"Wally!" Kuki immediately runs to his side while Patton and The Kid prepare to fight but Rachel stops them.
"No, she's not in control!"
"What are you talking about, Numbuh Epsilon? I'm totally in control, I've just decided to join the winning team." Eliza replies with an evil grin, horrifying her friends.
"What are you saying?"
"It's no use, Rachel, she's been Delightfulized…"
"An acute observation, Mister Uno. Now, Eliza, why don't you kindly disable your base's defenses and bring me all the data the TND are hiding?"
"Of course. I'll serve this base to you on a silver platter."
"Good, my Delightful Ninjas are on their way. Soon, your little rebel faction will be…put down."
"No! We won't let you do that!" Nigel takes a step forward but Eliza again fires a shockwave at him. However, he counters with his telekinesis, blocking the attack.
"Don't waste your time with them."
"Right." Eliza types a code into her gauntlet, causing the base's security systems to shut down. Down in the Switchboard, all the surveillance systems are brought down and the screens only show static while the base's external scanners and sensors go offline, leaving the TND completely open for the Delightful Ninja's incoming attack.
"What the heck's happening?!"
"She's taken down our defenses! We need to stop her now!" Nigel shouts but before anyone can act, Eliza cuts the door leading to the hallway in half with her sword and swiftly runs away.
"What do we do now?!" Kuki ask as she helps Wally back to his feet.
"I…don't know…" Rachel shakes her head and a feeling of despair begins to seep in to her. The sight of her friend being Delightfulized right before her eyes has left her in complete shock. However, Nigel grabs her shoulders and looks into her eyes.
"Get a hold of yourself! You're the Deputy Commander, so you need to take command of the base! Leave Numbuh Alpha to me and my team. She's only like that because of the chip in that B.R.A."
"So, if we destroy it, she'll turn back to normal, right?" Patton asks, to which Nigel replies with a nod.
"Most likely. If nothing else, we need to stop her from getting into the Deciphering Room."
"Right, but you need to get her Master Override Card from her. This base is a sitting duck unless we reactivate the defenses."
"Understood, Numbuh Gamma. Numbuh 3, Numbuh 4, you're with me. Let's go!"
"Okay!"
"You got it!" Wally and Kuki nod and fully activate their armors before following Nigel out of the interrogation room, while Rachel pulls herself together.
"Right, while Numbuh 1 and his team deal with Numbuh Alpha, we'll deal with the rest. Numbuh Gamma, I am assuming command until Numbuh Alpha is freed."
"Understood. I'll inform the other Chiefs and issue a base-wide Alert Level 1. I'll also have all our recon teams withdraw back to the base."
"Good, Numbuh Zeta, head to the hangar and prepare the Combat Force. You'll coordinate our defense."
"Got it!"
"Agent Halcón, you'll lead our air units. Find Numbuh 2 and have all available ships take off. We need to buy time."
"Alright, leave it to me." The Kid gives Rachel a quick salute and runs out of the room along with the other boys while Rachel kneels next to the unconscious Virginia.
"This is Numbuh Epsilon calling infirmary, I need medics in the 20th floor interrogation room. Be warned, "Erasure" radiation is present. Over and out." She turns of her 2x4 wristwatch's communicator and stands up. "I won't let this base fall, no matter what." she says to herself and runs out of the room just as a team of medics wearing protective gear enter.
…
As Rachel and the others prepare the base for the impending attack, Nigel, Wally and Kuki are hot on the tail of the Delightfulized Eliza. Using her special Acceleration Boots, she has been able to gain a sizable head start but, knowing where she is headed, Nigel comes up with a plan.
"Stop!" He turns around, halting his teammates from pursuing her.
"What the heck are ya doing?! We gotta stop her!"
"I know, Numbuh 4, but just going after her is pointless. If she reaches the Deciphering Room before us, she'll hand over all of the TND's data to Father, including all weapon related ones."
"Then why are we standing here?"
"Listen, I have a plan. Numbuh 3, teleport ahead, to the 31st floor's elevator entrance. That's is the only way to enter the Deciphering Room, and she knows it. Numbuh 4 and I will use the elevator shafts. We'll trap her there and remove that chip, okay?"
"Wait, you're sending Numbuh 3 ahead? But what if…"
"Don't worry, Numbuh 4, I'll be fine." Kuki nods, assuring Wally.
"Okay. But we'll catch up."
"Okidoki! Kuki smiles and teleports away.
"Alright, let's move." Nigel and Wally then fly along the hallway towards the turned off elevators.
Down in the 31st floor, Eliza has managed to slip by unnoticed, since for now, only those who saw her Delightfulization know she's an enemy. She quickly makes her way to the special elevator entrance and is just about to place her hand on the biometric scanner when she is hit by Kuki's telekinetic pulse, pinning her against the wall.
"Gah…of course, Nigel had you teleport here. Very clever."
"Don't make this hard for me. I don't want to hurt you."
"Hah, you think you can beat me?" Eliza begins to struggle and her enhanced strength gained from the Delightfulization makes it harder for Kuki to keep her pinned. Then, two TND guards, who are also unaware of what's happening, arrive from another hallway.
"Hey, what's going on here?"
"Oh, thank goodness! Numbuh 3 has turned against us and is trying to force her way into the Deciphering Room! Stop her!"
"No, she's lying! I'm not…"
"Free the Commander at once!" The guards aim their weapons at Kuki while Eliza smirks.
"Heh."
"Oh no…I'm sorry!" Kuki uses another pulse to knock out the guards but, in the process, loses her focus, freeing Eliza.
"Hah, you're all so easy to fool!" she charges at Kuki with her sword but she parries it with her right shoulder shield.
"Ugh, I don't have time for this!" Eliza fires a pointblank shockwave at Kuki, who is pushed back but she manages to stand on her feet. However, Eliza slips past her and rushes towards the elevator.
"I don't think so!" Nigel shouts and grabs her using his own telekinesis, just short of the scanner.
"Ghh…damn you…"
"This is as far you go, Eliza!"
"Oh really? Argh…" Again, her increased strength makes it harder for Nigel to keep her in one place.
"Numbuh 3, find the chip! Numbuh 4, cover her."
"On it!" Wally runs past Nigel while Kuki scans Eliza from top to bottom.
"There! In the middle of her back!" Then, the base is rocked by an explosion, causing Nigel lose his footing, allowing Eliza to escape his grip.
"Looks like my new friends are about to pay a visit! Sorry Nigel, but I gotta go!" Eliza places her hand on the scanner and the elevator door opens.
"NO!" Nigel shouts but, just as Eliza is about step into the elevator, Kuki tackles her and uses her telekinesis to pin her to the floor.
"Argh, stop getting in my way!"
"No! You won't go past me…waah!" Eliza manages to roll Kuki on her back and place her sword on her neck.
"Don't move!" Her threat forces Nigel and Wally to stop in their tracks.
"Don't you dare hurt her!" Wally roars but Eliza simply moves the blade closer.
"I might have to, if you won't let me go."
"Numbuh 1, what do we do?"
"Damn…" However, while the boys hesitate, Kuki stays calm and sends Eliza flying against the ceiling before she falls down on the floor, startling the boys.
"Oh crud…"
"Come on guys, I can take care of myself, you know?"
"Yes, of course, we were just…" Then, Eliza stands up but Kuki places herself between the entrance and her, creating a pink telekinetic wall to stop her from reaching the elevator.
"You're getting annoying! Fine, you want to play like that? Then let's do it!" Eliza begins charging power into her gauntlets and Nigel realizes what she's planning.
"She's going to blow a hole into the floor! Numbuh 4, stop her!"
"Raaah!" Wally activates his shield knuckles and charges head on at Eliza. Just as she is about to slam her palms into the floor, Wally closes the distance and strikes the shields against her palms just as Eliza fires the shockwaves, causing Wally to take the hit instead, blasting him against the floor. This however causes the Master Override Card to fly out of Eliza's pocket and it lands in-front of Kuki.
"You pest!" Eliza shouts as she draws her sword and cleaves a hole in the floor but despite being dazed from the point-blank shockwave, Wally manages to aim his Stupefier cannon at her and hits her right hand, crystallizing it.
"You think this can stop me?!" Eliza smirks and strikes her stupefied hand, shattering the crystal instantly, shocking her opponents.
"No way!"
"It's been fun, but I'll just cut my way downstairs now if you don't mind."
"ELIZA!" Nigel propels himself forward and tackles Eliza, pressing her against the floor with his own telekinesis.
"I know you wanted to know me better but this is too close for me, cousin!" Eliza headbutt's Nigel, stunning him and freeing her from his telekinetic grip.
"Guah!"
"Don't worry, I'll give my regards to Uncle Benedict!" Eliza says and makes a beeline for the hole she created but just as she is about to jump and go further down, Kuki, who has stood in-front of the elevator, hits her hands together, teleporting Eliza out of the base. Then, her legs give away and she stares blankly at her friends, who are stunned by what happened.
"Kuki…you…"
"I…I don't…I'm sorry! I had to do something!" Kuki realizes what she did but before she can say anything else, Nigel gets up and rips his Suit off.
"Ugh…you did nothing wrong, Numbuh 3…it was the right decision…"
"But…we couldn't…save her…" Kuki lowers her head while Wally kneels next to her.
"We were holding back, that's why she overpowered us…Dammit…" Nigel clenches his fist in frustration as Kuki notices the card lying next to her.
"Huh? Hey! It's her card!" She picks it up and shows it to the boys.
"It must've flown out of her belt when she hit Numbuh 4 with her gauntlets. *sigh* At least we have it now. Numbuh 3, take these two guards to the infirmary and then meet us in the hangar. Numbuh 4, you're coming with me."
"Oh…okay!" Wally says as Kuki levitates the guards and teleports away. "Aw crud…that was crazy…how the heck was she so strong?!"
"Delightfulization. Remember how the Delightful Children where incredibly powerful as kids? A Delightfulized teenager is even worse. Especially someone like Eliza. Gah…how am I going to explain this to the others…"
"Wait, so if that B.R.A. was the thing that made her Delightful, does that mean…?"
"Yes, if what Father said is true, he might have just taken control of all Teen Ninjas in the world…"
"No way…" Wally stands up and disengages his armor as Nigel struggles to breathe.
"You okay? I mean, you were using…that."
"I'm fine, I can keep it under control if I don't over use it. But that's not important right now. Let's hurry to the Switchboard."
"Right. The boys nod to each other and run through the hallway behind them, towards the Switchboard, but along the way, as they pass the hangar entrance, they see Hoagie and The Kid run towards them.
"Numbuh 2!"
"Ah…hi Numbuh 1…" Hoagie replies hesitantly as they stop in the hallway.
"I heard what's going on…sorry I…" Nigel puts his hand on Hoagie's right shoulder and looks him in the eye firmly.
"It's alright, Numbuh 2. All that matters now is how you're feeling. Can you fight?"
"Uhm…yeah, of course."
"What about Miss Commander?" The Kid asks but upon seeing the pained expressions in Nigel's and Wally's face, he also realizes what happened.
"We failed…she was too strong. Numbuh 3 teleported her out of the base."
"Damn…so what now?"
"We'll stick to the plan. Numbuh 4, go with Agent Halcón and Numbuh 2 to the hangar. I'll join you onboard the W.A.S.P. once I know what the situation outside is, understood?"
"Roger!"
"Good, now get moving!" Hoagie and Wally salute Nigel and follow The Kid towards the hangar while Nigel continues on his way to the Switchboard.
…
"Urgh…huh?! Where am I?!" Eliza comes to and realizes she has been teleported to the other side of town.
"Dammit…curse her teleportation ability…" she kicks the ground but then, she hears a loud roar overhead as a massive fleet of Teen Ninja vehicles fly above her.
"Heh, you're not out of the woods yet, Nigel. Well then, I guess I'll go and see my dear uncle." she smirks and takes off, towards the Delightful Mansion.
...
Back at the base, Nigel runs through the 31st floor's hallways as a general alarm is sounded through the base's intercom.
"Attention all base personnel and Agents, Alert Level 1 has been issued. Prepare for imminent enemy attack. This is not a drill, I repeat…" Numbuh Gamma's voice echoes in the corridors and hallways while Nigel starts running faster.
"I can't waste any time…" Soon, he arrives in-front of the Switchboard doors and the guards salute him before they open them for him.
As he enters, he is noticed by Rachel, who is standing behind Herbie's chair. "Nigel!" she shouts and gestures him to come to the observation deck.
"What's the situation?" Nigel asks as he stops next to Rachel.
"Well, we've managed to bring the sensors and scanners back online and it's not looking good."
"Father must've sent all the Ninja's he could, since they're coming from all directions and they've already started to bombard us. They'll be here in ten minutes…" Herbie says as he types on his console.
"What about Numbuh Alpha? Is she…?"
"We…we couldn't free her…" Nigel looks at the floor and clenches his fist as the entire Switchboard turns quiet.
"Wha…what do you mean?!" Rachel walks up to Nigel and puts her hand on his shoulder.
"She was too strong…but we did manage to get the Master Override Card." Nigel hands her the card, but neither her or anyone else present can believe what they've just heard.
"Wait, where is she then?! Don't tell she got in to the Deciphering Room?!"
"No. Numbuh 3 teleported her away."
"No way…" Rachel's legs give away as she kneels down on the floor. She then looks at her hands, which have begun to shake.
"Eliza…no…how could this happen…"
"I'm sorry…I promised we'd save her but…" Nigel struggles keep his composure as a sense of defeat falls on the Switchboard, as the Ninja armada approaches.
"No…we can't let it end like this! We're still in this, with or without Numbuh Alpha." Herbie says and approaches Nigel.
"The Master Override Card, give it to me." he looks sternly at Nigel, who nods.
"You're right. Giving up is not an option. The TND won't be defeated so easily." Pulling himself together, he looks at the Communications Chief sharply and hands him the card.
"Excellent!" Herbie then turns around and gives it to Rachel.
"Huh? Why are you…?"
"You're the Base Commander now, so you have to restart the defense systems. Go to the Commander's seat and put the card into the card reader on the left armrest." Rachel looks at the card and hesitates slightly but Nigel gives her an assuring smile and she nods back. Then, Rachel walks over to the seat formerly occupied by Eliza and sits down, before putting the card into the card reader.
"Master Override Card recognized, please identify yourself." The base's main computer speaks to Rachel, who takes a deep breath and answers.
"Deputy Commander of the Switchboard Base, Numbuh Epsilon."
"Identity confirmed. All systems, online. D.E.F.E.N.S.E.-G.R.I.D. reactivated."
"Huh? Wait a minute, isn't this our Treehouse's computer?!"
"Yes, we decided to put the Memory Core and the Control Unit to use. Numbuh 2 helped in installing them."
"I'm glad it didn't go to waste at least. Now, what's our plan to deal with the Ninjas?"
"At this point, we only have one option, but we need time to set everything up." Herbie responds, still typing furiously into his console's keyboard.
"And that option is?"
"It's something we came up with in-case this base was discovered. But like Numbuh Iota-3 said, we need more time." Then, before Nigel can ask more, his communicator rings.
"Hmm? Numbuh 3? What is it?"
"I'm just took the guards to the infirmary."
"Alright. Head to the hangar, I'll meet you there."
"Uhm, Numbuh 1?"
"Yes?"
"Numbuh 23…Virginia is begging me to let her help…"
"She's what? But didn't she just fall unconscious? Besides, she's a prisoner.
"I know but…she's saying this whole thing is her fault and wants to fix it somehow…"
"Hmm…hold on a second. Did you hear that, Numbuh Epsilon? What should we do?" Nigel asks Rachel who crosses her arms.
"She is innocent, that much is true. Okay, tell Numbuh 3 to take her to the hangar. Maybe you can find some use for her."
"Alright, but I'll keep an eye on her, just in case. Numbuh 3, bring her to the hangar."
"Okay…thanks Numbuh 1."
"And Numbuh 3."
"…Yeah?"
"You didn't do anything wrong back there. Teleporting her was the right choice. So don't worry about it. We'll free her from Father's control eventually." Kuki remains silent for a few seconds, surprised that Nigel could tell she was still troubled over what happened and takes a deep breath.
"Okay…you know us too well, Numbuh 1."
"That comes as part of the job. Now get moving."
"Okidoki!" Kuki replies and ends the call as Nigel sighs.
"Don't blame yourself either, Nigel." Rachel puts her hand on his shoulder
"Yes…but that doesn't change the fact Eliza was Delightfulized right before our eyes…damn him..." Nigel swears but Rachel grabs his shoulders.
"Focus, Numbuh 1!" she shouts, startling Nigel. "If we're going to pull through this, I want everyone to do their best, and that includes you, go it?!" Nigel is immediately reminded that Rachel wasn't Supreme Leader of the KND for nothing and nods.
"Yes…you're right."
"Good. Now go to the hangar, I'll explain our plan to everyone through the intercom."
"Roger that." Nigel salutes and runs out of the Switchboard the hangar.
"Alright Numbuh Iota-3, get me all the Sections Chiefs on the line, right now. I'll break the news to them myself."
"Understood." Herbie presses a button on his keyboard and the faces of all the Section Chiefs appear on the big screen.
"Hello everyone, I'm sure Numbuh Gamma already told you what's happening?"
"He did, but were Numbuh 1 and his team successful or not?" Numbuh Omicron asks.
"…They did get the Master Override Card, but had no choice but to teleport her away from the base. But just because Numbuh Alpha has…sided with the enemy, doesn't mean all hope is lost."
The Section Chiefs cannot believe what they're hearing but before they can express their shock and disbelief, Rachel looks at them sternly, as she knows that if she gives into despair in-front of them, the base will fall.
"Now, because she is…not with us anymore, as Deputy Commander, I've assumed temporary command of this TND sector. Any objections?" The chiefs shake their heads and Rachel smiles back confidently. "Good. I've talked with both Numbuh Gamma and Numbuh Iota-3 and we've decided to initiate Emergency Protocol: Magnum."
"Magnum? Are you sure, Commander Numbuh Epsilon? We haven't tested any of the systems needed for Magnum."
"I know, Numbuh Omicron. However, at this point, we have no choice. If we sit here, the Ninjas will overrun the base. They know where we are and most likely how to get inside as well."
"We shouldn't have let that Ninja in to the base…"
"It's too late to think about that, Numbuh Gamma. Right now, we have to use Magnum. You all know what happens if we lose this base, right?" Rachel looks at chiefs sharply, with same fire in her eyes she had when she was the KND's Supreme Leader 3 year-ago. Then, they nod to her.
"Understood, Commander. I'll have the Science Section begin preparations for Magnum."
"Thank you, Numbuh Omicron. Numbuh Gamma, join me on the Switchboard. The rest of you, prepare your sections for combat. I've placed all of our forces under Numbuh Zeta's command, so have your combat troops gather in the hangar, understood?"
"Yes, Ma'am!" The chief respond together and Rachel salutes them before the screens to turn black. Then, she presses a button on her armrest and addresses everyone in the base.
"Attention, this is Numbuh Epsilon. As some of you have heard already, our base's location has been revealed to Father and he has sent every Teen Ninja in the country after us. Also, our commander, Numbuh Alpha, was Delightfulized and despite our best efforts, we were unable to free her from Father's control. She has however been teleported away from the base. Thus, as Deputy Commander, I've taken her place until further notice. Now I know this all sounds terrible, but let me assure that I have no intention of letting Father have his way with us. The TND will not be defeated by something like this. We've decided to commence Emergency Protocol: Magnum but in order for it to work, we need time to get everything ready. I want every able pilot to board their ships and Cycles and attack the Ninja's before they reach the base. Buy us enough time so we can use Magnum. I want all of you to do your very best, so that we can get through this, together. That is all."
In the hangar, everyone has gathered in the assembly area in-front of the ships. Patton, The Kid and Sector V are standing in the middle.
"Alright everybody, you heard what she just said. It's up to us to hold off those Delightfulized creeps."
"So how do ya want us take 'em on?" The Kid asks and Nigel agrees with his question.
"Indeed, we can't just charge head on against them. Also, there is the KND's cannon array as well. They will definitely try to shoot us."
"You're right, they're not gonna hesitate to fire. But we can use it to our advantage." Patton crosses his arms as Hoagie snaps his fingers.
"I got it! If we can dupe them to shoot at us and get out of the line of fire so those Ninjas are gonna get shot down instead!"
"Good idea Numbuh 2. Luring them into the cannons line of fire will make it easier for us." Nigel nods and so do Patton and The Kid.
"I like it, hombre."
"Okay, we've got a plan now. Numbuh Lambda, you're in-charge of the 2x4 fleet."
"Got it!" Bartie Stork, or former Numbuh 35 replies loudly.
"Agent Halcón, you lead the Cycles."
"Leave 'em to me, amigo."
"Sector V, you stick with the 2x4 fleet."
"Understood."
"Uhm…we're missing a radar operator though…" Hoagie says but then, Virginia steps forward from behind Kuki.
"I can do that! Please!" Her appearance surprises the others, especially Bartie, who used to go the same school as her.
"V…Virginia? But I thought you got decommissioned? What are you doing here?"
"We'll explain it later." Nigel says sternly and looks at Virginia.
"Alright, you're coming with us. Even if you don't remember, you should be able to use a 2x4 radar."
"Well…if that file was right, then I think I can."
"Good. Sector V, let's move!" Nigel leads his team and Virginia to the W.A.S.P. while The Kid runs towards his repaired fighter. Patton meanwhile is approached by Tommy, Lee and Sonia.
"Uhm…Sarge?"
"Hey, I told you not to call me that anymore."
"Sorry…I was just thinking, aren't we gonna use that?" Tommy points at the K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. that they stole from the KND.
"Hmm…yeah, but we need someone to crew it."
"Hey, I know how to fly things!"
"Let me help too!" Sonia says enthusiastically while Lee nods.
"Hah, I knew you guys would say that. Alright, looks we've got our flagship ready. Combat Force, board the K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R.!" Patton gestures the agents under his command to follow him while everyone else boards their 2x4 ships and Battle-Ready Cycles.
Aboard the W.A.S.P., Nigel has Kuki explain to Virginia how the radar works, but to Virginia's surprise, she understands Kuki's instructions easily.
"Hey…I know this…" she stares in awe at the console before her, while Kuki smiles slightly.
"Even if they took your memory, you're still one of us."
"Ehm…thanks…"
"Alright guys, buckle up. We're going to blow those Ninjas right outta the sky!" Hoagie shouts, despite still feeling down about everything that's happened over the last few days. Then, Patton addresses everyone from the bridge of the K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R.
"This is Numbuh Zeta to all troops; I'll be leading the attack from the Young Rebel. We'll use the same attack formation we used during the Hideout op. 2x4 ships attack head on, Cycles from above. Understood?"
"YES, SIR!"
"Good. Let's do this, Teens Next Door!"
"This is Switchboard CIC to all craft; you're cleared for take-off." Numbuh Theta-9 contacts the pilots and a unified, loud hum echoes in the hangar as almost 80 ships and Cycles begin taking off.
"Numbuh 2, take us out."
"Roger that." The M.O.S.Q.U.I.T.T.O.H.-W.A.S.P. straightens its legs while The Kid's "Valkyrie" begins to hover next to it. From his cockpit, he can see Hoagie and makes eye contact.
"Good luck, hombre."
"You too. Don't get shot down."
"Hah, not gonna happen. I'll see ya in the sky." The Kid smirks but before he takes off, he waves at Kuki, who does the same while Wally glares at him from over his shoulder. Then, the fighter turns to face the hangar entrance and accelerates into the tunnel, followed by the W.A.S.P. As they clear the hangar doors, Nigel and the others realize they are in for a real fight, as a massive force of Ninja Battle-Ready Cycles, Battle Ready Vans and Octopaddlers approach from every direction.
"Oh man…"
"This is going to be a battle all right…" Everyone aboard the W.A.S.P. prepare themselves for what's waiting for them.
…
As the two forces slowly approach each other, up in the KND Moonbase, the sudden appearance of both Teen Ninja and TND ships has put Global Command on high alert and Numbuh 1000 is observing the situation from the control room.
"Sir, reports from both V2 and recon teams suggest that every single Teen Ninja from the US has gathered in that one area." Numbuh 105 explains as Numbuh 1000 leans on his left elbow.
"All of them? Why?"
"We think it's because they've found the hiding place of the TND." Numbuh 105 points at the hill, towards which the Ninjas are moving.
"Is that so? Well then, this is our chance to wipe out both of those teen groups at once. Inform Sector V2 to prepare for…target practice."
"Are we going to join the fight?"
"Not directly. We'll just poke them with the Array and any orbital weapons we can spare from other sectors."
"Understood, I'll have your orders relayed immediately." Numbuh 105 leaves the Supreme Commander's side while a faint sense of confidence begins to seep into Numbuh 1000's thoughts.
"If they wipe each other out, that'll leave Father wide open and I can bring this pointless fighting to an end."
…
Back on Earth, the TND air units begin to form up, with The Kid leading the Battle-Ready Cycles into the clouds while the 2x4 ships fly in formation around the K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. On the ship's bridge, Patton is standing behind Tommy, who is holding the helm, while Numbuh's 58 and 59 have taken the bridge operator's seats. Sonia is manning the radar while Lee is controlling the ship's weapons. Down in the ship's cargo bay, Charles, who has joined the Combat Force alongside his two friends, is sitting silently with the other troops, all of them wearing the heavy variant of TND's Battle-Ready Armor.
"Hey dude, are ya getting cold feet or something?"
"No way! This is just my first real fight as a TND agent, that's all."
"He's scared he'll scratch that B.R.A. he got from his girlfriend."
"Wha…what are ya talking about?! She ain't my…"
"Not what?" Charles looks to his right and sees Kimberley standing right next to him, a toolbox in hand and a welding mask above her head.
"Gaaahh! What…what you doing here?"
"We're here to make sure all of your weapons are working. After all, you guys are gonna be fighting those Octopaddlers at close range. If you run into trouble, just get back to the ship and we'll take care of you. Oh, and before I forget, I fixed this for ya." Kimberley hands Charles a shortened and modified shockwave mace, the very same weapon Ernest used before.
"Oh…hah…thanks." Charles stutters as he grabs hold of the mace.
"No problem!" Kimberley smiles and walks away while Charles' friend's snicker.
"Will you guys shut up already?! We got a job to do!"
Then, Numbuh 58 contacts the cargo hold.
"T-minus 2 minutes before drop. Get to your positions."
"You heard her, let's go!"
Then, aboard the W.A.S.P., Nigel stands up and orders Hoagie to fly ahead of the formation.
"Numbuh 2, we'll charge them head on. Pass control of all weapons to Numbuh 4."
"Roger. Numbuh 4, CQC mode is all yours."
"Alright!" Hoagie pushes a button on his console and two control sticks appear on Wally's console while the W.A.S.P.'s bow doors open, deploying the ship's main laser cannon and laser gatling-armed claw arms.
"Numbuh 3, Numbuh 23, support Numbuh 2 and 4."
"23…are you talking about me?"
"Yes, it'll make everything easier if I use your codename, even though you're no longer an operative.
"Oh…okay, I understand." Virginia replies with determined nod and stares intensely at her radar screen, which is slowly filling with hostile targets.
"Teen Next Door, BATTLE STATIONS!"
"Here we go!" Hoagie shouts and applies full afterburner, charging directly in the middle of the incoming Delightful Ninja formation. Wally begins firing the W.A.S.P.'s weapons in to all directions, scattering the Cycles and Vans. Then, Patton gives the order to begin attack as well. The K.O.L.O.S. .I.N.E.R.'s powerful bow laser turret fires into the Ninjas ranks while The Kid's Cycle force dives down on the Ninjas attempting to approach the base from behind.
…
Inside the TND base, Rachel, Numbuh Gamma and Herbie are watching the battle unfold.
"How long do you think they can hold them back?"
"I don't know, but they'll do their best, that's for sure. Numbuh Omicron, how are the preparations going?" Rachel contacts the Science Chief.
"We're about 60% done. We've rewired the powerplant and all connections are now severed. The base is sealed."
"Good. Please hurry, I don't want the Combat Force to wear themselves out."
"We're doing our best. Numbuh Omicron out."
"What if Magnum fails, what then?"
"We can't think about that, Numbuh Gamma. Magnum has to work, no matter what."
"I just think we should have a Plan B incase…"
"There is no Plan B, Numbuh Gamma!" Rachel shouts at Numbuh Gamma, who takes a step back. "Sorry, but this is all we can do. Abandoning the base is not an option, you know that."
"Yes…of course…" The startled Intelligence Chief replies and Rachel looks at the big screen, which shows the aerial battle.
"All we can do is hope…hope and believe that Magnum works."
…
Outside, Charles and the other heavy troopers stand up and form a paired line in-front of the bow doors.
"Everyone ready?"
"Locked and loaded, Numbuh Tau-6!"
"Good, let's show those guys that the TND is not gonna go down!"
"Yeah!" Then, the doors open and one by one, Charles and the heavy troopers dive down on the Octopaddlers. They start shooting the spider-like machines with their S.C.A.M.P.P.'s and heat lasers, managing to immediately destroy the first Octopaddler right below them, allowing them to move on to other targets. Like a swarm of hornets, the heavy troopers begin surrounding and destroying the large machines one by one, despite the constant laser fire coming from the Octopaddlers and Delightful Ninjas. Above them, Hoagie steers the M.O.S.Q.U.I.T.T.O.H.-W.A.S.P. through the Ninja formation, banks to the left and charges in again, using the ship's superior speed to perform hit and run attacks.
"Good work Numbuh 2, we're thinning their ranks."
"Yeah, but they keep bringing more! And I think they're more organized then when we fought them last time!"
"No doubt because of the Delightfulization. Just keep charging at them. Numbuh 4, don't let any Ninja get within our airspace!"
"Leave 'em to me!" Wally responds and fires the W.A.S.P.'s main laser cannon into a formation of Battle-Ready Vans, causing them to explode while their crews float down on parachutes.
…
Meanwhile, Father is observing the battle from the comfort of his mansion. On the big screen of his throne room is direct footage taken by his own spy drones while another screen shows satellite footage.
"Hmm…I guess they want to defend to the bitter end, how typical."
"Father, unfortunately, Eliza Solis failed. She was somehow teleported out of the base before she could acquire the TND's data." The shadowy person speaks through the small screen on the throne's armrest.
"It doesn't matter anymore. They didn't remove her chip at least. That means I've acquired a very valuable pawn…no…more like a Queen. Regardless, that base and all of its secrets will soon be mine. Have you identified which ship has Nigel Uno?"
"Yes, we've instructed the Delightful Ninjas to begin isolating them from the others."
"Good. Once we breach their defenses, I want every single teenager Delightfulized, is that clear?"
"Yes, Father. Also, Cree Lincoln has just been brought to the mansion."
"Excellent. Bring her here. I want her to see this."
"As you wish." The shadowy person disappears from the screen as the throne room's doors open and two Ninjas drag a furious Cree inside.
"Father, we've brought Cree Lincoln as requested."
"Good. Leave us." The Ninjas drop the cuffed and shackled Cree, who is only wearing her red body suit, onto the floor. Then, they bow to Father and exit the Throne room. As the heavy doors close behind them, Cree glares at Father.
"You're gonna pay! I won't let you get away with this!"
"Ooh, that's quite the nasty expression you have. I completely understand how you feel, but, ousting you and Delightfulizing the Ninjas was necessary. I gave you teens plenty of chances to defeat the KND, yet you continued to fail me. And now, with those annoying Teens Next Door running around, I had no choice but to assume control. I can't have my years of work be wasted because you teens can't defeat a bunch of kids and teens with attitude problems."
"You were the one who kept telling us to stand down! I would've crushed both of them!"
"Hah, you had no chance to defeat us in the first place." A female voice speaks to them as the throne room's doors open abruptly.
"Hmm? Well, well, you got here fast." Father puts his left leg over his right and eyes the new arrival expectantly.
"I thought I should introduce myself to my new boss, that's all." Eliza smiles eerily as she enters the throne room.
"Huh?! You! You're…"
"Eliza Solis, or you might remember me by my old codename Numbuh 10. It's been, what, 3 years since we saw face to face, right? Thought that time we were on opposite sides. How times have changed." Her condescending tone angers Cree.
"Welcome, Eliza." Father eyes the Delightfulized teenager who kneels down in-front of him.
"I couldn't get to their Deciphering Room. I'm sorry."
"No matter. You'll be put to much better use from now on, anyway." Father gestures her to stand up.
"I'll be putting you charge of the Delightful Ninjas from now on. I'm sure you'll produce much better results than Ms. Lincoln."
"Oh, don't worry about that, Father. Even an amateur could do a better job than a girl who only thinks about avenging her ex-boyfriend, who didn't even love her in the first place."
"You bitch! Take that back right now!" Cree's shouts while trying to break free from her shackles, her eyes filled with resentment towards the orange-haired girl, who only smirks mockingly.
"Hah-hah, why should I, when it's the truth. Here, let me tell you something that'll really blow your mind." Eliza kneels next to a furious Cree and whispers into her ear.
"He was a spy all along you see. The KND never decommissioned him when he turned 13. Instead, they made him a spy, who's mission was to get close to you and ruin all the plans you made to take down the KND. All of them."
"No…No! Maurice would've never…!"
"Remember Chicken Pox Island? When you fell into the cannon? Maurice was the one who blasted you in there. He was pretending to be on your side so he could take you down from the inside. The info he leaked back to us made fighting the Ninjas so much easier."
"Shut up…you're lying…" Cree shakes her head as Eliza continues.
"Oh no, I'm not lying. I was a teen spy too until the TND was formed, so I saw all the reports. Man, Maurice was stringing you along like a puppet. But I guess you were so blinded by your 'love' for him that you never noticed." Eliza chuckles and stands up while Cree is unable to say anything.
"And you know what the best part about this all is? You were the one who killed him in the end."
"NO!"
"Hah-hah, oh yes you did. I heard everything through the TND's communication system. You were the one who lit up the core during your little rampage, which caused the floor to collapse in the first place. Too bad really, I liked working with him."
"Hahahahahah! Oh, this is something you'd only see in movies. How tragic!" Father lets out an uncharacteristically hearty but evil laugh while Cree goes into shock. All this time, she had thought Maurice was on her side but he wasn't. He was using her, just like Father. And she had been the who took his live.
"And guess who also knew that he was a spy?" Cree freezes as a terrifying thought comes to her mind.
"…Ab..by…" she mouths her sisters name while Eliza snaps her fingers.
"Bingo. She was aware from the moment you were knocked into the Chicken Pox Cannon. All these years you thought you knew the people closest to you but it turns out, they were both just taking advantage of you. Sad, isn't it?"
"She…she knew…" Cree's voice shakes as Father snaps his fingers, causing Cree's binds fall on the floor with a loud bang.
"Now then, since you know the truth, I have a proposition for you."
"…what…" Cree asks, her mind unable to take in what she just heard.
"I want to give you something you've always wanted."
"Huh?"
"I'm willing to offer you to get even with your sister. All you have to do is accept my offer."
"…" His words go on deaf ears as Cree's mind has been completely broken. It's as if her whole world has collapsed. She no longer had command over the Ninjas, her sister and the boy she loved had been tricking her all this time, using her in the name of the KND, who tried to take her memories. The emptiness within her starts to fill with hate, anger and rejection.
"I guess your little revelation was too much for her to take. Guards." Upon his command, two Ninjas enter and grab Cree from behind, at which point she snaps back to reality.
"Le…Let me go! I…I'm not done!"
"Cool yourself off in the dungeon, my dear. Once the TND's base falls, you'll get your chance to avenge yourself."
"Let me go! ABBY!" she screams as tears rush down her cheeks while the guards drag her away. As her screams echo in the hallway, Father turns his attention back to the battle.
"Now then, let's enjoy the show."
End of Transmission 35