Phase 4: Splintered Lives
The battlefield has shifted.
Thanks to his new Delightfulization Chips, Father has turned the Teen Ninjas into the Delightful Ninjas.
As the Splinter Cell prepare to face the full might of this new, reformed force of Delightful teens,
the Teens Next Door have gone to hiding, following the loss of their hideout.
While they managed to escape, thanks to their secret weapon, the repurposed KND Gihugeacarrier, they are now at a disadvantage but that doesn't mean they'll give up.
Transmission 37: Change of Plans
Four days have passed since the TND and their base where discovered. With the loss of their hideout at Point Hill, they've been forced to lie low, hiding behind the Gihugeacarrier's stealth field. With them temporarily out of the fight, the conflict between Father and Numbuh 1000's Splinter Cell controlled KND has taken a new turn. After Delightfulizing the Teen Ninjas, Father has gone back on the offensive, with a Delightfulized, former Numbuh 10, Eliza Solis leading them, the KND has been forced to retreat from many areas they controlled. While they remain at a deadlock, both sides have begun to employ more brutal methods in their search for victory, with Numbuh 1000 pitting his orbital weapons and the C.L.A.M.M.A.H.- Array against Father's near endless supply of more and more advanced Knightamatons and Octopaddlers.
The conflict is also visible to bystanders, as the Delightful Ninjas appear prim and proper to the adults while chipped and un-chipped KND operatives are even more rebellious towards their parents and any other adults.
In the middle of all this, the TND continue to plan their next move, but they are running out of time.
…
Saturday morning. One week before the 8th graders of Hendry Middle School graduate to high school. While her friends only appear as holograms at school, Abby has started to attend again but without her friends, she feels lonely. "What am I doin' here…" she thinks as she lies on the living room couch.
"Mon cher? Papa and I are going shopping. We'll be back later."
"Okay, Mama!" Abby waves to her parents as they walk outside and drive away. Then, Abby looks at the clock. "Might as well get some studying done…" she mutters but before she can climb upstairs, she hears the doorbell ringing loudly. "Huh? Who the heck?" She opens the door but doesn't see anyone. "Gah, a prank…" Then, as she turns her back, someone hits her in the back, sending her to the floor. "Augh…hey, what the?!" she rolls on her back just as a shadowy figure enters through the door and locks it behind her. "What's the meanin' of this?! You…you're a burglar, aren't ya?!" Abby takes a basic karate stance. "Get outta my house!" she charges at the intruder but her kicks miss and before she can recover, the intruder takes her into a hold and she realizes that her opponent is none other than former KND fugitive, Slade. "Ugh…Numbuh 206…what do ya want with me?! You ain't takin' me back there again!"
"…walk upstairs…" The burgundy-armored Ninja says with a distorted voice and points his heat-laser at her back.
"Wha…"
"Do it." Abby glares at the Ninja but does what she's told, leading the Ninja upstairs. "Your room." Without saying a word, Abby opens the door to her room and they enter. "Open the window."
"Huh? Why do ya…"
"Now." The Ninja gestures with his laser cannon, forcing her to oblige and she opens the window next to her bed. Then, to her surprise, someone familiar enters through it.
"What the…Numbuh 6?!" she says in disbelief as Bradley jumps on to her bed. The robotic skunk points its shovel arm towards Slade, who is standing in-front of Abby's door. "What are ya trynna pull here?" Abby activates her B.R.A. and points her own twin-barreled heat-lasers at Slade.
"Lower your weapon."
"Hah, yeah right! What did ya do to Bradley? Did ya capture him and rewire his brain or somethin´?"
"I am not your enemy. I'm here under orders from the Switchboard."
"How do ya know about that place?!" Abby becomes even more suspicious but Bradley goes between her and Slade, while squeaking loudly. "Huh? Are ya serious? He's tellin' the truth?" Abby glares at the Ninja and lowers her laser gun, but keeps her armor on. "Talk."
"My real name is Agent Raven, from the TND's Deep Cover Unit. I've been hiding among the Teen Ninja's ranks for years now. This is just one of my fake identities. The original Slade, or Numbuh 206 left the Ninjas two years ago. I'm the one who caused that fake alarm at the Hideout."
"Huh, that so? Did ya tell that Ninja to help me out too?"
"No, she did it out her own volition."
"Right...anyway, why'd ya come here? Abby's not part of the TND anymore."
"You don't know what happened on Monday?"
"Monday? What do ya mean?!" Abby becomes alarmed by his tone of voice as Raven starts explaining what has been going on since she left last Sunday.
"No…no way…that girl's B.R.A. had a tracker…"
"Don't blame yourself over it. No one in there knew about the Delightfulization chip either. And I didn't get a chance to warn them."
"But I told that Ninja the base's location! Of course, it's my fault!" Abby turns off her armor and clenches her fist in frustration as the guilt she already felt only grows.
"Are you going to waste your time here, wallowing in guilt?" Raven's comment infuriates Abby and she glares at the agent.
"Waste time? Ya don't know what Abby's been through! Ya know nothin', so don't act like ya do!"
"You didn't answer my question."
"I don't need to answer it! Now get outta here! I got other things to do."
"So, you're saying that what's happening outside isn't your problem? That it doesn't concern you, because you left your team."
"Shut your hole! Abby don't need to take this from some agent nobody! There's…no way Abby can go back after I said all that crap…"
"Well, it's your choice, but the way I see it, you need them, and they need you. Especially now that the war has taken a new turn." Raven hands Abby a data-disc and walks over to the window.
"What the heck is this?"
"My orders where to confirm you're alright. Numbuh 6 will stay with you until we've secured a safe route to the base. And that disc, take a look at it when you can. Maybe it'll change your mind about everything." Raven then turns invisible and leaps out of the open window before Abby can say anything.
"Hey, wait a sec…aw man…" Abby shakes her head and falls on her bed, her thoughts racing wildly. She is conflicted about what Raven told her and becomes worried about her team as Bradley jumps on her stomach and looks down on her. "I guess you're livin' with me now…" Abby mutters and gets up before walking over to her cupboard, where she still keeps her old KND L.U.N.C.H.B.O.C.K.S., which hasn't been used since she left the KND. Despite her hesitation, her curiosity gets the better of her and she boots up the KND PC before putting the disc inside it. Appearing on the screen is a single audio file titled "Truth".
"Truth?" She clicks the file and immediately recognizes the voices in the file as those of her team, Rachel, Patton and the Chief of the Intelligence Section, Numbuh Gamma.
"Your sector was an important part in the plans of a deep rooted KND conspiracy. I believe you've heard of the "Splinter Cell"?"
"Splinter Cell?! No way…" she mutters and listens intently to the recording of Numbuh Gamma revealing the truth to her friends.
…
Up in the KND Moonbase, Global Tactical Officer Numbuh 105, followed by 6 other non-chipped operatives enter the Science Division's massive weapons development lab, where Numbuh 1000 is overseeing the construction of a large, silver colored machine.
"Sir, the members of Core have arrived." A chipped guard informs him and Numbuh 1000 turns to face his co-conspirators, who salute him.
"Supreme Leader! You wanted to see us?" Numbuh 105 asks cautiously.
"Yes, I want to discuss something with all of you. Now that those Teen traitors have…well, disappeared, I thought it was about time to begin Stage 3 of Project Never Grow."
"But we haven't defeated Father yet. We can't start Stage 3 before that."
"That was before those Teenagers interfered and Father took over the Ninjas. We'll use Stage 3 to bring down not only Father but every other over 13-year-old in the world. I've already authorized the development of "Erasure" weapons. We'll start issuing them to our troops by end of the month." His co-conspirators look at each other and then, Numbuh 406, Artic Base Commander, speaks up.
"In one week? Sir, we should really focus on dealing with Father first. His Delightful Ninjas will beat us at this rate!" Numbuh 1000 grabs the protesting operative by his collar and lifts him off the ground while glaring at him.
"We don't have time, Numbuh 406! I didn't promote you to Global Security Commander so you could talk back to me! "Erasure" is the only way we can defeat Father, don't you understand?!"
"I'm sorry Sir, I didn't mean…"
"Hmph." Numbuh 1000 drops the scared operative onto the floor and puts his hands behind his back. "Yesterday, I was contacted by our superiors. They've placed Earth under special watch. Do you understand what that means?! If we don't defeat Father and deal with the adults and teenagers, we'll face Planetary Decommissioning!" The other operatives freeze in terror as Numbuh 1000 turns his back on them and looks at the silver machine being constructed before him. "We promised, no, we swore to Numbuh 74.239 that we would finish Project Never Grow, no matter what. And I intend to finish it! We'll save the Earth and make it into the utopia we've all dreamed off! A place where children can do what they want, without having to deal with adults and teenagers! That's what every KND operative should strive for!"
"Yes, you're right, Sir. We'll inform the other divisions to commence Stage 3." Numbuh 105 salutes Numbuh 1000 again.
"Good. Contact V2's Treehouse and order them to begin continuous bombardment of all Evil Adult Industries and Delightful Ninja facilities. We'll wear Father down before we wipe his and every other adult's and teenager's minds!"
"YES, SUPREME LEADER!" The operatives salute him once more and leave the lab while Numbuh 1000 remains behind.
"Just a little more…Once Stage 3 begins, I'll win…I'll be the savior I was meant to be!"
…
Back on Earth, somewhere, high up in the clouds above the US East Coast, the TND Gihugeacarrier, Wild Child has remained hidden from both the KND and Father, despite continued attempts from their enemies to find them.
Inside the ship, the 37th floor's Science Lab, the remaining members of Sector V have gathered in the lab's large test hangar, where the Science Section is finishing their work on the T.S.-W.R.A.S.L.E.R. "Wow, it's huuge!" Kuki shouts excitedly while Wally is still disappointed about its reduced size.
"I still don't get why ya had to make it smaller?"
"I've told you a million times, it's more energy efficient with a smaller frame. The old W.R.A.S.L.E.R. barely lasted 10 minutes, and that was without its weapons. Trust me, the T.S.-W.R.A.S.L.E.R. is a whole different beast."
"What does T.S. stand for?" Kuki asks as Hoagie adjusts his goggles.
"Twin Steering, because it's meant for two pilots. Now, can you guys come with me? We need to do the seat fit." Hoagie gestures Wally and Kuki to follow him while Nigel looks on in silence.
"With this, our chances of taking down V2's Treehouse should be much better but…" he sighs and walks over to the observation deck, behind the reinforced doors where Numbuh Omicron is overseeing the work.
"I must say, this facility is impressive as ever. How did you manage to build it without the KND's help?"
"Well, you see, while this base or ship, is mostly 2x4 technology, we've incorporated a lot of Teenage technology into it. In fact, this lab is based on the design of a Teen Ninja Hideout."
"Really? Quite interesting."
"We were never planning on building something like this here, but I guess it pays to build the hangar as big as possible."
"I heard from Numbuh Gamma that you've managed to copy the basic design of the Stupefier. Are you planning on mass producing them?"
"That is quite true. It's the best possible way to deal with both of our enemies, wouldn't you agree, Numbuh 1?"
"Certainly, though it didn't work on Numbuh Alpha..."
"Yes, we are aware of that, but Numbuh 4's shot only his her arm, if I'm correct."
"True, but Delightfulization increases the victims power immensely..."
"Don't worry, we'll find a way to deal with those Delighfulization chips once the Splinter Cell has been taken care off."
"I hope so..."Nigel nods and turns his attention down to the hangar floor, where Hoagie, Ted and Kimberley are showing Wally and Kuki the completed but not yet installed cockpit, which is made up of an attack helicopter's tandem cockpit, with its front seat removed and replaced by a reinforced backrest and a steel harness. The back seat is slightly above and behind it and it has a normal fighter-jet style seat, complete with control sticks in the armrests.
"Hey, what's up with the front seat?" Wally asks as he peaks inside.
"We changed to control system a bit, so now you're basically hanging from that harness. But the motion control is still the same." Ted explains while Kimberley is showing Kuki how the rear seat is designed.
"Right…so how does that thing work?"
"You want to try? We've made a simulation program into the VR Headset, so you can practice before we install it into the machine."
"Hey, I like that! Strap me in already!" Wally shouts eagerly while Kuki too becomes excited.
"Ooh, ooh, I wanna try too!"
"Okay, calm down guys. Just hop in the cockpit and put on the headsets. Think of it like a co-op video game." Hoagie says as he walks over to the control console next to the cockpit.
"Yay! I love video games!" Kuki yells as the reinforced canopy opens and both teens jump inside.
"Hey, how many cruddy seatbelts ya put on this thing?"
"Just deal with it. Once the machine is complete, they'll strap on by themselves." Hoagie shrugs off Wally complaints and types on the console's keyboard. Wally puts on the arm and leg motion trackers and the headset while Kuki grabs hold of the control sticks and likewise puts on the headset.
"You guys ready? I'm starting the simulation now."
As Wally and Kuki start practicing, Nigel walks out of the lab and heads up to the 31st floor, where he enters the Switchboard, which has become the Gihugeacarrier's bridge. Standing on the observation deck is Rachel, overseeing the ship's operation while Herbie is barking orders left and right.
"Numbuh Epsilon." Nigel salutes her firmly and Rachel looks back at him over her shoulder.
"Ah, hi Numbuh 1."
"How are things going here?"
"Well, our hands are still tied. Numbuh 1000 is using a planet-wide jamming signal that's stopping us from contacting the other TND bases directly. And since the Switchboard is our organization's information hub, they can't do anything either…"
"I thought so. We really are in a tight spot…" Nigel replies and stops next to her, his hands firmly behind his back.
"I'm sorry I can't help with the planning of the Treehouse op anymore. I've been so busy."
"Don't worry, it was pretty much complete anyway. But we'll need to do some revisions to it since Numbuh 5 left and you're the Base Commander now."
"I just…I'm so tired of all these setbacks. Every time we think we've got the upper hand, either Father or Numbuh 1000 manage to pull one over us…"
"I think everyone is. But don't lose hope. Even if our chances have become slimmer, I refuse to give up." Rachel looks at Nigel and, in her mind, feels slightly jealous of his optimism.
"I wish I could be as optimistic as you…" she mutters and takes a deep breath to gather her thoughts. "Numbuh Iota-3, have we received any word from our recon party?"
"Not yet Ma'am."
"Recon party?"
"Yeah, I sent a small team from the Intelligence Section to establish contact with our other bases. We need their help if we want to turn this situation around."
"Good thinking. What about Numbuh 6?"
"No contact from him either. Though I've heard he is safe, at least."
"That's a relief…"
"Ma'am, we're getting a coded message from the recon party!" Numbuh Theta-9 shouts from the round table at very bottom of the Switchboard.
"What? Send it up here, hurry!" Rachel shouts and walks over to Herbie's console where Numbuh Theta-9 sends it.
"Alright, let's see here…" Herbie starts deciphering the message as Nigel and Rachel look over his shoulders.
"Okay, it's done. It reads: "Allied bases secure, none compromised. Enemy presence notable, can't mount operations at this time.""
"I should've known. With Father and Numbuh 1000 at each other's throats, there's no way they can help us…"
"Then we'll have to do this by ourselves, Numbuh Epsilon."
"Be realistic, Nigel, we're outnumbered, outgunned and alone! We can't mount any operations without support from the other bases…"
"Have you forgotten that we are the Teens Next Door. We'll find a way, just like we did back when we were in the KND." Nigel replies without hesitation and looks at the agents working feverishly on their consoles. "Look at them, do any of them seem like they want to give up? You're the Commander now, so you have to stay strong."
"Heh, I can't believe your preaching me again…" Then, Rachel is contacted by Numbuh Gamma.
"Commander, come to the Deciphering Room immediately, it's important."
"Okay, I'll be right there."
"Do you mind if I come along?" Nigel asks and Rachel turns her gaze to the small hologram of Numbuh Gamma on her 2x4 wristwatch.
"Well?"
"Alright, but just him. This is highly classified information."
"Understood." Nigel nods to Numbuh Gamma, who's hologram disappears and Rachel walks with Nigel out of Switchboard and head to the special elevator that takes them to the hidden floor where the Intelligence Division is located. Passing the laser grid, they enter the Deciphering Room, where Numbuh Gamma is waiting for them.
"So, what is it, Numbuh Gamma?"
"Sorry I had to call you here on such a short notice, but we received an urgent message from our…" Numbuh Gamma stops for a second and glances at Nigel before he continues. "…agent behind enemy lines. Follow me." The Intelligence Chief leads Rachel and Nigel to a smaller console manned by a member of the Intelligence Section.
"You have a man on the inside?"
"Yes, but unless the Commander allows it, you're not allowed to tell anyone what you're about to see. I'm sure you understand." Numbuh Gamma replies over his shoulder as he instructs the agent in charge of the console to leave them. Then, he takes the agent's seat and shows them a coded message. "I received this 30 minutes ago."
"What is it about?"
"Well, first of all, it contains both the external and internal layout of Sector V2's Treehouse."
"Really? So that means he got in contact with Numbuh 6?" Rachel crosses her arms as Numbuh Gamma nods.
"Yes. Numbuh 6 is currently under Numbuh 5's care, until we can safely transfer agents in and out of this base again."
"And Numbuh 5? Is she alright?"
"Yes, Numbuh 1. Our agent spoke to her before he sent us this message."
"Good, that's really good. Then the Ninjas haven't tried to kidnap her again?"
"No, at least, that's what our agent said. However, you should know that Cree Lincoln is no longer leading the Ninjas."
"She's not? Father didn't Delightfulize her?"
"Why he hasn't, we don't know. Now the Ninjas are under…Numbuh Alpha's command." Numbuh Gamma says with a grim expression as Nigel and Rachel stare in shock.
"She's…their leader now? No…" Even though everyone had known that Eliza had been Delightfulized, the thought hasn't sunk in yet, especially for Rachel but Nigel remains stoic.
"I honestly expected Father to do just that. We'll have to prepare ourselves when we'll eventually face her." Nigel's calm demeanor does not sit well with Rachel, since Eliza is like a sister to him, but also knows that Nigel suffers about her being Delightfulized the most. "What about Cree Lincoln. If she hasn't been Delightfulized, where is she?"
"We know both she and Ernest were last seen inside Father's mansion, but that's all. I can only imagine what they're doing in there."
"Maybe he chained them up in his dungeon?" Rachel asks but Nigel shakes his head.
"No, that would be a waste of 'resources'. Both of them are strong in their own right and having them at his beck and call is something Father would not miss out on. He's probably trying to persuade them one way or the other."
"Makes sense, and even if they refuse, he has his Delightfulization to go back on. Now, the reason this message was urgent is because in it, our agent stated that Father has mentioned something about 're-education' and a specific date."
"Re-education? Did you ever hear him say that?" Rachel asks Nigel, who also crosses his arms and looks sternly at the message.
"Hmm…perhaps…yes, he did say something like that, but he didn't specify what it meant."
"We went through the data you took from Father and the files stolen from the Teen mother computer, but we only found small references to it. Most likely, it has something to do with his Delightfulization chips."
"And the date?"
"Well Commander, you won't believe it, but it's the last day of May." Nigel's eyes widen as he realizes the significance of the date.
"It's Graduation Day! He plans to implement this "re-education" of his, next Saturday!"
"That's not all. It's also the projected day Numbuh 1000 plans to deploy "Erasure" weapons to the KND."
"No way…" Rachel shakes her head in disbelief while Nigel's expression becomes serious.
"They're both planning to take each other out at the same time. That means, we have exactly a week to bring them both down."
"Nigel, that's insane! I said we don't have any way of fighting them right now!"
"But if we don't, we'll run out of time and more people will end up Delightfulized or mind wiped, like The Steve or Numbuh 23! I refuse to just watch and let that happen!" Nigel shouts sternly, frustrating Rachel.
"Then how do you plan on taking them both on, without your full team and no support!"
"How is this any different from before?! Me and my team have gone through these kinds of things before! Even if you won't support us, we'll figure out a way to depose Numbuh 1000 and defeat Father. I promised my team we would clear our names, and if we have to defeat both Father and the entire KND to do it, we'll do it. We've sacrificed too much to give up now!" His determination is clearly visible in his eyes, but before Rachel can say a counter argument, Numbuh Gamma interrupts them.
"Let's all calm down first. While it's true that our enemies have the numerical advantage, and we're cut off from our allies, that doesn't mean we stand no chance. We should call the meeting with the other Chiefs, special agents and your team and discuss this together. We won't gain anything if our Commander and one of our field commander's just shout at each other."
"You…you're right. We'll come up with a plan together. Sorry I was out of line, Commander."
"I was too…You're right Numbuh 1, we'll pull through, one way or another." Rachel smiles slightly at Nigel, who returns the favor while Numbuh Gamma turns off the console and stands up.
"You guys head back up; I'll join you in a bit."
"Right, come to briefing room 1 when you're ready." Numbuh Gamma nods and salutes Rachel, as does Nigel and she salutes back. Then, she and Nigel head back to the elevator while Numbuh Gamma sighs.
"Everything depends on what we decide today. Both the Earth's fate, and the outcome of my mission…I just hope it's not too late for us, Numbuh Delta."
End of Transmission 37