Transmission 45: Teens vs Kids
Present Day
Sector V's Subway Shuttle Pod and The Kid's fighter fly through the debris field left behind by the KND Orbital Shipyards and approach the first line of defense, the S.O.O.P.E.R. – S.P.O.T.F.I.T.E.S. laser-satellite system, which surrounds the Moonbase completely.
"So how the crud are we gonna get past through those things?" Wally asks as Nigel looks at Hoagie.
"We'll begin our approach now. Numbuh 2, disengage the main engines, switch to Vernier control."
"Roger that." Hoagie pulls a switch, shutting down the four thrusters and let's go of the steering wheel. He then takes hold of the two sticks on either side of his seat and steers the Shuttle Pod using the multiple Vernier nozzles.
"Agent Halcón, move ahead, cover our ship with your Decoy Drone and deploy stealth cloak."
"On it, Uno." The Kid replies and the two ships move behind one another. Then, the small drone detaches from the fighter's rear fuselage and covers the Pod in a stealth field while the "Valkyrie" turns invisible as well.
"Commence radio silence. We'll maintain it until we reach the hangar bulkhead." Nigel turns off the Pod's Signal Receiver and gestures to his teammates to stay quiet. Then, the two ships slip past the line of laser-equipped satellites and approach the second defense line. This one is another perimeter but consists of Barrier Satellites, that can deploy powerful shields, capable of repelling even oncoming asteroids.
Hoagie, who helped design this part of the defense line, knows that if the shields are deployed, both the Shuttle Pod and the "Valkyrie" would be vaporized on contact. However, their stealthy approach pays off and the ships pass the second line as well. Finally, they arrive at the third line, the formidable KND Space Fleet. This massive armada is the only thing standing between them and the special hangar. "Wow, they must've brought the whole fleet out…" Hoagie thinks as the sheer size of the Space Fleet intimidates his teammates, but Nigel is undeterred.
"Just like Numbuh Gamma said. They've placed their strongest ships on the wrong side." he smirks as they close in on a G.I.G.A.- K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R., with the name Rascal Ruler painted on it's hull. Acting as the flagship of the Space Fleet, this massive ship, made up of two K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R.'s connected on the sides of a cruise liner with a split bow, is the KND's largest space faring ship, but it's only half the size of the Gihugeacarrier.
"Damn, that is one big ship they got there…" Even The Kid is awestruck by the G.I.G.A.- K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R.'s size as they slowly fly alongside the behemoth.
"Excellent, we're through." Nigel adjusts his posture as they leave the fleet behind and approach the harmless looking bulkhead jutting out of the side of a skyscraper.
"Lift radio silence. Agent Halcón, send the signal to the Wild Child."
"Roger." The Kid types on the keyboard on his left armrest and sends a short message to the TND Gihugeacarrier, which has positioned itself on the other side of the Moonbase, directly in-front of the main hangar.
"Commander, we're receiving the 'all clear' signal from the infiltration team."
"Good. Commence Operation: 'Moon Liberation'!" Rachel shouts as the ship into combat mode.
"Understood, Commander Numbuh Epsilon! All hands, level 1 battle stations! Open the rear hangar and launch all ships. Deploy the D.E.F.E.N.S.E. - G.R.I.D., deactivate the stealth field!" Herbie begins barking orders as Rachel stand up and presses a button on her armrest.
"TEENS NEXT DOOR, BATTLE STATIONS!" she shouts as the Wild Child de-cloaks right before the Splinter Cell's eyes.
…
"Supreme Leader, look!" A non-chipped operative shouts but his words go on deaf ears as Numbuh 1000, standing on the Moonbase's command deck, stares in disbelief at the huge ship approaching them.
"Damn them…"
"Sir, what should we do?!" Numbuh 105 asks as Numbuh 1000 glares at him.
"Isn't it obvious?! Deploy our defenses! We can't let any teenagers past the defense perimeter! Get me Numbuh 406 right now!" he shouts and his subordinate immediately contacts the Global Security Commander on the Defense Control Bridge.
"Numbuh 406!"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Order the fleet to attack that carrier at once!"
"Yes, but it'll take time to get them organized, since most of them are on the other side of the…"
"I don't care! All that matters is that carrier is destroyed! Is that clear?!"
"Uhm…yes, of course, Supreme Leader! I won't let you down!" Numbuh 406 salutes and cuts the call as Numbuh 1000 slumps back on his seat.
"If they want to play rough, we'll happily oblige! Kids Next Door, Battle Stations!"
Outside, the battle begins. The Wild Child flies towards the first line of defense at full speed, it's energy shield covering the ship's bow completely while 2x4 ships and Battle-Ready Cycles launch from the two side hangars.
"This is Numbuh Lambda to all units, cover the Wild Child until it docks!" Bartie shouts over the radio as the ships form up around their own flagship, the Young Rebel, which is now under his command. Ahead of them is the first defense line, which fires hundreds of lasers at the TND ships, but they move behind the Wild Child's shield, as the carrier easily plows through the laser-satellites, destroying any that get caught within its path.
"First defense line cleared!"
"Good. Maintain this heading and speed." Rachel says to Herbie and contacts the Science Section's test hangar, where Patton and his Combat Force are waiting for the portal to open.
"This is Numbuh Epsilon, is everything ready down there?"
"Ready to rock and roll, Commander."
…
As the space battle begins, Sector V watch as the G.I.G.A.– K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. and it the rest of the fleet positioned on the wrong side start to slowly turn around. "It'll take them 20 minutes to go around the Moonbase. We must get the portal active before that. Numbuh 2, dock the Pod with the maintenance hatch over there." Nigel points at the left side of the bulkhead while Hoagie slows the Shuttle Pod down and matches the Moonbase's rotation.
"Alright, hold on tight." he says as he lifts the Pod's nose up by 90 degrees and then connects the four thruster legs into the bulkhead, before making the ship flush with the wall. "Deploying airlock." Hoagie flips a switch that activates a steel tube-like device that connects with the hatch and locks the ship in place. "Okay, we're connected."
"Good work, Numbuh 2. Numbuh 3, scout out the hangar for any hostiles."
"Okidoki!" Kuki summons four ghost hamsters and sends them through the un-opened airlock and after a few seconds, they come back. "My friends are saying the hangar's empty."
"For now. Be prepared for anything. Numbuh 5, Numbuh 4, you two go in first and secure the hangar. We'll follow you."
"Gotcha baby." Abby nods and kneels in-front of the hatch on the floor. "You ready?"
"Let's do this." Wally nods back at her as she opens the hatch and floats through it, followed by Wally.
As the hatch closes behind them, the airlock is filled with air from the hangar, allowing Wally and Abby to remove their helmets. "Cover me. Numbuh 5's goin' in." Abby says and takes the Stupefier from the holster on her space suit and crawls out of the airlock. Inside, she sees nothing but an eerily empty hangar. "Numbuh 5 don't like this one bit…" she thinks and jumps down to the hangar floor, Stupefier ready. Abby then looks around but sees nothing threatening as Wally jumps behind her and they stand back-to-back.
"I'll check the door. Call the others." he says and runs over to the closed steel door to his left while Abby puts her index finger on her communicator.
"Numbuh 1, all clear. Get in here."
"Roger that." Nigel says and points at the closed hatch. "Let's move. We don't have much time." Kuki and Hoagie nod to him and one by one, they go through the airlock and join their teammates. "Numbuh 2, you're up. Let Agent Halcón and Numbuh Beta in."
"Got it." Hoagie nods and runs over to the control panel opposite to the way they came, plugging his 2x4 scanner into it. "Okay…almost…there. We're in. I'll open the first door."
Outside, The Kid maneuvers his fighter in-front of the bulkhead as it slowly splits in two, allowing him to move the "Valkyrie" inside. Then, the doors behind them close, followed by the secondary doors opening and the "Valkyrie" enters the hangar proper, gently touching down. "Man, that was way too easy." The Kid says as he and Fanny jump out of the cockpit and join Nigel and his team. As they take-off their space suits, Nigel looks around the hangar.
"Well done everyone. The first phase is now complete. Numbuh 2, what's the situation outside?"
"Hmm…I can't get through to the network from here, so we'll have to go in blind."
"I see…alright, I'll activate the Portal Discs and then we can get down to business." Nigel throws two discs into the wall behind him, opening two portals directly into the test hangar, where Patton and his troops stand ready.
"Finally. We thought you got caught or something." Patton says sarcastically as he leads his troops through portal.
"Hey, this is us you're talkin' about." Wally says while Nigel gathers everyone around him and shows the 3D-hologram once more.
"Alright, you all remember your targets?"
"We'll storm the main hangar." Patton says as he deploys his armor.
"We've got the computer covered." Abby says coolly.
"And we'll break into that sub-bridge." Fanny says as she also activates her new B.R.A. Just like the one she used before she was chipped, the armor is green, but now it has yellow and orange accents, along with a backpack that houses various compact weapons and additional thrusters.
"Aw yeah, I get to take this baby out for a test drive." The Kid smirks and presses his 2x4 wristwatch, that activates his B.R.A., which is colored dark orange and gunmetal gray and has small fins in the knees, a backpack with folded-in wings and two small extra arms: The left one carries a small rotary cannon, and the right arm has a long-barreled rifle while his helmet resembles a flight helmet instead of a samurai helmet.
"Now, let's show the Splinter Cell what happens when you mess with the Teens Next Door!"
"YEAH!" Everyone shouts in unison as Nigel pulls out his pistols and heads towards the closed door.
"Numbuh 2, open it."
"Roger that boss!" Hoagie pulls a lever on the panel and runs over to where Abby, Kuki and The Kid are. But before they can head out, Wally grabs The Kid's arm and rather violently pulls him aside.
"Hey, what the…?!"
"You keep Kuki safe, got it? You'll have to answer to me if she gets even a scratch, got it?!" he glares at The Kid, who glares back but then smirks.
"Heh, looks like you're not a total loco after all. I'll keep her safe. I swear on my life." The two boys stare at each other for a second but then Wally let's go and turns his back on The Kid.
"You better." he mutters and walks over to Nigel and Fanny.
"Yeah, Miss Commander was right. I've got no chance here…"
"TEENS NEXT DOOR, BATTLE STATIONS!" Nigel shouts as the teenagers storm through the door, causing the Moonbase's internal alarms to go off.
"Alert, Teenager incursion detected. Initiating defense procedures."
The Super Big Computermabob's mechanical voice echoes throughout the Moonbase as the TND forces split up.
"Head to your targets! The carrier can't dock until our objectives are complete!" Nigel shouts as defense turrets pop out from the walls and begin pelting the teens with lasers. Abby goes ahead and slices an armored door in half with her sword before gesturing to her teammates.
"Come on! That computer's this way!" she points at a staircase on the right side of the corridor behind her, prompting The Kid, Kuki and Hoagie to follow her. However, Hoagie is forced to use J.E.T.A.B.O.O.T.S. since his Exo-Suit is too big to be used effectively in the tight corridors of the Moonbase.
The quartet fly up the staircase and continue along a hallway, dashing through the incoming laser fire and soon arrive at a T-intersection. Abby gestures her teammates to land and she takes point, checking both corridors for any hostiles. "Look's we've got company…" she points at the left side corridor, where chipped KND operatives are gathering.
"Leave these guys to me. Stand back, ladies." The Kid crouches and peeks behind the corner. Then, the right sub-arm on his backpack swivels over his right shoulder and the rifle connects to the plug on his shoulder. "Okay…I'll take 'em down in one shot…" he mutters as the reticle on his HUD highlights every operative in the corridor. Then, he pulls the trigger, firing a blue beam down the corridor and sweeps through the operatives, stupefying them instantly. "*whistle* Man, this thing packs a punch. You did a pretty good job, Gilligan."
Hoagie however does not react to The Kid's compliment as Abby walks past the boys. "Let's keep movin'. We gotta get to the computer before they send more chipped kids here." Abby says stoically. However, both her and Hoagie's behavior is not left unnoticed by Kuki and The Kid.
"Hmph, guess he still hasn't talked to her…" The Kid mutters as he and Kuki follow Hoagie and Abby.
…
Up on the command deck, Numbuh 1000 is observing the battle unfolding in space. While the Wild Child hasn't reached the second defense line yet, she has managed to shrug off any attacks the KND has thrown at her.
"Just how much can that thing take…" Numbuh 105 mutters while 1000 remains silent. Suddenly, a frantic message arrives from a control room in the lower floors.
"Command, this the level 40 control room! The Super Big Computermabob just informed us of teenagers inside the Moonbase!"
"What did you say?!" Numbuh 105 asks in shock as Numbuh 1000 gets up from his seat.
"That's right, Sir! They just appeared in level 38 out of nowhere! They'll reach this level soon if we don't get reinforcements!"
"How did they get there?! They've couldn't have slipped through the defense lines!"
"It's Sector V." Numbuh 1000 says coldly.
"Impossible! There's no way they could've…"
"It doesn't matter how they did it anymore." Numbuh 1000 walks over to the control panel next to Numbuh 105 and contacts the Defense Control Bridge. "Numbuh 406?"
"Yes, Supreme Leader?"
"Initiate Emergency Protocol "Labyrinth". We'll trap those teenagers inside the Moonbase and chip them one at a time."
"But Sir, what about our own troops?"
"Order all officers in-charge of their floors to defend them to the last."
"Ye…Yes, Sir. Absolutely."
"Good. Have the Intelligence Division secure the Super Big Computermabob's core and contact Numbuh 20.000. I want him to send all the chipped prisoners to meet our enemy. Those teenagers will have to fight through their own kind before they can even think of coming to the upper levels."
"Understood. We won't fail you!" As Numbuh 406 hangs up, Numbuh 1000 goes back to his seat, remaining calm, despite what is happening.
"Sir, the Rascal Ruler has just arrived into the battle area, along with her escorts. Our fleet is now at full capacity." A chipped operative says, causing Numbuh 1000 to smirks confidently.
"Finally. All we need is to hold them back and wear them down. The Kids Next Door will never be defeated, NEVER."
…
Down below, in the bowels of the Moonbase, the escaped prisoners led by Keith, formerly known as Numbuh 1-Love, the former commander of the Jamaican Sector J, are watching the battle through a hacked terminal. "*whistle* Man, Numbuh Gamma wasn't kidding. This is one heck of a battle."
"Hey, Keith or whatever, why are we still hiding here?" The black hoodie wearing Teen Ninja asks and glares at the Jamaican boy, who gestures him to calm down.
"Patience my friend. You'll get your chance to get back at the KND, mon. We gotta wait for the right moment to attack. Look, they're goin' for the same target as us." he points at another hacked monitor which shows Nigel, Fanny and Wally charging through the corridors.
Meanwhile, Abby's team enter a massive, vertical shaft, which runs through the spine of the Moonbase. Looking up and down, they can see multiple walkways running across the shaft.
"Hold it! Let me get our bearings…" Hoagie says and takes a look at a miniature 3D-hologram of the Moonbase. "…okay…there! Our target's halfway up this shaft. There's a walkway with a reinforced door. That's the level where the Super Big Computermabob is on."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get goin' already." The Kid points up at the shaft but before they can fly up, the Moonbase begins to shake violently, and they notice that the walkways are retracting back in to the walls and all entrances close down, apart from the one the group came from.
"Uhm…what's happening?!" Kuki shouts as they struggle to keep their footing.
"I dunno, but they're closin' all the entrances!" Abby shouts as The Kid notices something behind them.
"Guys, we've got more company." No sooner has he said it, chipped KND operatives appear in the corridor behind them and open fire, forcing Abby and the others to take cover on either side of the entrance, as the walkway that connected it to the other side has already retracted. "Damn, now we're really pinned down!"
"Thanks, Mister Obvious! Come on, let's head up and find a way past that door!"
"I'll cover you, go on ahead!" Hoagie says as he activates his Exo-Suit and moves in-front of the entrance, where the operatives are slowly approaching. "Eat this!" Hoagie fires all ten of the Exo-Suit's finger-mounted Stupefiers, taking out the first few rows of operatives, but his HUD alerts him to more enemies, but these aren't just KND operatives. "Dammit, they've got Teen Hunters here too! Hurry up, I'll hold them off!" The Kid nods and flies up the shaft, his backpack's wings spread wide open, followed by Kuki but Abby stays behind.
"Numbuh 5, what are you doing?! Go already!"
"We're going up together! Numbuh 5's not leavin' anyone behind!" Abby shouts back at Hoagie, who clenches his fists but then steps back.
"Right…but you first." Abby activates her jetboots and hovers behind Hoagie as he takes a few more steps back and takes off using the Exo-Suit's powerful jet boosters. They manage to escape just as the Hunters arrive at the entrance, but unlike the chipped operatives, they fly up after Abby and Hoagie, firing their heat-lasers at their prey.
"Man, these guys are really something. Let's cut their numbers a bit." The Kid aims his Stupefier Rifle down at the pursuing Hunters, but Kuki stops her from firing.
"Wait, don't!"
"Huh?! What the heck are ya saying?!"
"If you shoot them, they'll fall down to the bottom of the shaft!"
"So?"
"This shaft goes down to the root of the Moonbase! They won't survive a fall like that, even if they're stupefied!" Realizing what she means, The Kid begrudgingly lowers his rifle, but instead lays down a barrage with the rotary cannon, covering Hoagie and Abby, who has slightly fallen behind due to lower output of her jetboots compared to the jet boosters on Hoagie's Exo-Suit. Then, one of the Hunters fires a rocket propelled electro net towards Abby, but she notices it and destroys the net with a M.A.R.B.L.E. But because her focus had shifted to the net, she doesn't notice a group of Hunters appearing on a platform above her. Hoagie doesn't notice them either because he has gotten too far ahead of Abby, leaving her defenseless.
"Numbuh 5, Behind you!" Kuki screams through the communicator just as the Hunters take flight and dive on Abby.
"Huh? Dammit!" she shouts and is forced to take evasive action, dodging the three Hunters, but this leaves her wide open for the Hunters who are below her. Seeing her get surrounded, Hoagie stops and turns his Exo-Suit around. However, he starts to hesitate, which is enough to make The Kid act.
"Gah, you gotta be kidding me! Hey Kuki, pry that door open! I'll go get your friend back!" he says and dives down towards the surrounded Abby, speeding past Hoagie's stationary Exo-Suit. Seeing him charge headlong into the furball snaps Hoagie back to reality. Kuki meanwhile locates the door they were after and begins to tear the armored shudder apart before pushing the rest of the door inside with her telekinesis. Below her, The Kid performs a high-speed diving attack before using the momentum to turn around and fly past the Hunters, grabbing Abby's hand in the process.
"You okay?" he asks as they speed back up the shaft.
"Yeah…*pant*…Numbuh 5's fine…" Abby replies as they approach Hoagie.
"Hey, Gilligan, quit spacin' out and get moving!" The Kid says angrily over the commlink, prompting Hoagie to hit his dashboard in frustration and fly after them.
"Come on! Over here!" Kuki waves from a platform a few levels above them. Then, The Kid, Abby and Hoagie land safely on the platform and follow Kuki through the entrance. She then lifts the bent door and tries to put it back on it's place just as the Hunters catch up and begin firing at the door.
"Hold it there, Numbuh 3!" Abby says and fires her heat-lasers into the seams, welding it in place. "Man, that was close…" she sighs as The Kid turns his attention on Hoagie, who has turned off his Exo-Suit and looks silently at the 3D-hologram.
"Gilligan!"
"Hm?"
"What the heck were ya doin' spacin' out like that?!"
"I wasn't spacing out! I was…"
"You saw she was getting swarmed by those Hunters, and you just stood there!"
"No, I…I was going to…" However, before The Kid can say anything to him, Abby pushes the boys apart.
"Knock it off! Focus on yo job!" she snaps at them, forcing Hoagie to look away while The Kid huffs angrily.
"Hmph, don't make me cover your ass again." his comment strikes a chord, but Hoagie stops himself from reacting and turns his attention into the 3d-hologram.
"…our target is at the end of this corridor…" he mutters and starts walking away, followed by Abby while The Kid keeps his distance.
They activate their stealth cloaks and move silently through the tube-like corridor. "That guy's worse than Beetles…" The Kid mutters silently as Kuki walks beside him.
"Why did you have to say that…Hoagie's trying his best…"
"Hah, he's just scared he'll get rejected." The Kid says coldly but Kuki remains quiet.
"You're wrong…Hoagie's heart's already broken…"
…
A few levels above them, Patton and his Combat Force are storming through the maze-like Moonbase's interior, their progress not helped by the closed shudders, which they have to blow up to get to the upper levels. Meanwhile, Nigel, Wally and Fanny are quickly progressing towards their target, albeit very loudly.
"Hey, stop getting' in my way, blondie! Those were my targets!"
"Hah, yeah right! Why don't ya learn to aim first!" Wally and Fanny argue as they blast their way through wave upon wave of chipped KND operatives. Nigel meanwhile has relegated himself to simply holding the rear and pointing their fury in the right direction.
"The elevator shaft is in the next level! We'll use that to fly up."
"Got it, Numbuh 1. You just make sure to keep up!" Fanny shouts while Nigel smirks slightly.
"You're barking up the wrong tree there." he says as they fight their way up to the next level and enter a large assembly area, its walls lined with multiple elevators.
"Numbuh Beta, secure the left side corridor. Numbuh 4, you take the stairs." Fanny and Wally nod and move to their assigned positions.
"Hmm, why aren't they following us?" Fanny peeks into the dark corridor but her B.R.A.'s sensors aren't picking up any movement.
"I bet they got scared."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Numbuh 4. Be on your toes. This assembly area is a perfect location for an ambush…" Nigel says as he surveys the huge room but then, the intercom speaker near the ceiling crackles to life.
"…Welcome, teenagers. I must admit, when I received the report of intruders inside the Moonbase, I was almost hoping it'd be you and low and behold, I was not disappointed." All three teens recognize the callous voice speaking to them, which fills them with anger.
"Numbuh 1000…" Nigel bites his lip while Wally snaps.
"You cruddy coward! Show your face! You're gonna pay for brainwashing my brother!"
"Hmph, I did your brother a favor. He was very promising and under our control, he would've been an exemplary KND operative, unlike you."
"Raaahh!" Wally roars and blasts the speaker into pieces but it doesn't stop Numbuh 1000 from laughing mockingly.
"Hah-hah-hah, violence really is the only thing you're good for, Matador." The mere mentioning of his old villain-name infuriates Wally even further but then, Numbuh 1000 turns his attention to Fanny.
"So, you decided to become an enemy of the Kids Next Door as well. How disappointing."
"I'd have made that decision a long time ago if I'd known the truth! You and your cronies made us all believe your lies!"
"Lies? It was the truth! And if I recall, you were the one who sought me out when Numbuh 78 refused to let you continue your mission. I was merely giving you a helping hand."
"Grr…That's because I was stupid enough to believe ya! You better prepare yerself, runt, because I'm comin' to personally make ya pay!"
"Bark all you want, teenager! It won't change the fact you were expendable, just like the rest of you Hunters. I would've had you chipped earlier if I'd gotten the chance. Serving us kids is what you teenagers are only good for."
Nigel becomes visibly disgusted by Numbuh 1000's words. "And you call yourself a member of the KND. You're delusional beyond belief." he says coldly, but Numbuh 1000 is not fazed.
"You're the one to talk, Nephew. You and the rest of the TND are an affront to the Kids Next Door. But enough of this. Because you see, now that you're inside the Moonbase, you aren't getting out of here without losing your memories. I'll have you all erased and chipped, that you can be sure of."
"Hah, you really think we're gonna let you do that?!"
"We're comin' for ya, Numbuh 1000. I've got a fist with your name on it, for all the things you me made do!"
"You're all talk, teenagers, and you're doomed, just like your friends outside." Suddenly, they hear footsteps coming from the corridor Fanny was guarding and to their horror, recognize their foes as chipped teenagers. Some of them are Ninjas, some are KND operatives who just turned 13 and some are just normal teenagers but all of them march forward with blank expressions, armed to the teeth with 2x4 weapons and wearing gray B.R.A.
"You…how could you…" Fanny shakes her head in disbelief while Wally is enraged.
"You bastard!"
"This is the fate of all those who turn 13! And the only cure for the disease of adulthood! Now, enjoy your first visit to the Moonbase in 3 years! It'll also be your last! HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH!" Numbuh 1000 laughs maniacally as Nigel's Silhouette Suit activates from his rage.
"You'll pay for this. I'll personally make sure of that!" But Numbuh 1000 continues to laugh as the transmission ends and the chipped teenagers open fire at Nigel, Fanny and Wally.
"We can't waste time here. Follow me!" Nigel shouts and uses his Silhouette Suit to tear the shudder blocking the largest elevator shaft into pieces while Wally unleashes a barrage of laser fire from his Accelerator Rifle.
"Outta the way, you cruddy puppets!" he shouts as he moves to cover Nigel and Fanny. Nigel then fires a telekinetic pulse at the teenagers, pushing some of them back but they keep coming.
"Run away! Fighting them here is pointless. We need to reach the Defense Control Bridge!"
"Then stand back!" Fanny steps forward and fires multiple smoke missiles from her B.R.A.'s backpack, filling the assembly area in a thick cloud of gray smoke. "Now's our chance!"
Nigel leaps into the shaft and zooms upwards, followed by Fanny and Wally but they notice that the shudders inside the shaft have already closed.
"Oh great! They knew we were gonna use this shaft!"
"And those chipped teens are coming up here!" Fanny points down towards the door they came from, where the brainwashed operatives are streaming out. "He's got us trapped!"
"Not if I can help it." Nigel generates a sphere of fire between his palms as his Silhouette Suit turns blue, alarming Wally.
"Oi, what are ya doin', Numbuh 1?!"
"This!" Nigel unleashes a stream of blue fire up the shaft, destroying multiple shudders in its path.
"Wow…" Fanny mutters as Nigel makes a pained sigh and rips off his Suit. However, the attack has drained him slightly, but before he falls down, Wally grabs his arm.
"Holy crud, warn me before ya do something like that!"
"Hmph…you're the one to talk…I cleared the path. Fly as far up as you can! Hurry!" Nigel shouts as the chipped teenagers open fire from below.
"Hey, take my hand!" Wally offers his hand to a confused Fanny.
"What the heck are ya sayin'?!"
"Just do it!" Wally shouts and Fanny reluctantly grabs hold of his left hand. "Alright, let's ditch these guys!" he activates his B.R.A.'s High-Altitude Mode, much to Nigel's distress.
"Wait, Numbuh 4, that's too faaaassssssttt!" his screams echoes in the shaft as Wally applies full thrust and speeds up the elevator shaft at incredibly high speed.
"YOU IDIOT! YOU'RE GONNA GET US KILLED!" Fanny screams as they fly though the destroyed shudders one after the other until Wally's HUD warns him of a closed shudder up ahead.
"We've reached our stop!" he shouts and disengages the flight mode, to Fanny and Nigel's relief. As they activate their jetboots to hover in place, Fanny begins raging at Wally.
"Ya stupid boy! That was too reckless, even for you!"
"Hey, we lost those chipped freaks!"
"That's not the point, ya dolt!"
"Oh yes, it is! Now will ya cruddy let go of my hand already!" Fanny realizes she is still squeezing his hand quite firmly.
"Do…don't take that the wrong way, ya hear me?!" she shouts, feeling slightly embarrassed but Wally scoffs and draws his heat sword.
"Not in a gazillion years." he replies as slices the elevator door in half and they enter the hallway beyond it.
"So, where are we anyway?" Fanny asks as she looks around.
"Hmm…according to the map, we're just a few levels below the bridge."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's bust in!"
"Not so fast, Numbuh 4. We'll switch to stealth for now and sneak through the remaining levels. I used a bit too much of the Suit's power back there."
"Ah, okay, gotcha."
"Numbuh Beta, you'll lead. Numbuh 4, you take the rear. Put on your cloaks and let's keep moving."
"Right." Fanny nods and takes point, followed by Nigel and Wally but they are unaware they are being followed.
"This is Numbuh 20.000. Nephew, Matador and 86 are after the Defense Bridge. We'll set up an ambush for them."
"Excellent. Make sure they suffer."
End of Transmission 45
Note: And so, the final act of the 4th arc begins. Honestly, I never thought I would get this far when I restarted this project, but when you have enough motivation and inspiration, anything is possible. Now, I have some good news: I've started writing the 5th and final part of Operation: RETRIBUTION and I'll start releasing it's chapters once this arc is complete, so look forward to it.