Transmission 46: Erasure
While the Moonbase infiltration continues as planned, outside, in the void of space, the KND G.I.G.A.– K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. and its escorts finally joint the massive space battle, which has already taken a toll on both sides, but the Wild Child remains steadfast in its approach towards the Moonbase. "We've reached the second defense line, Commander." Herbie says over his shoulder to Rachel, who stands behind him, observing the battle.
"Good. We need to keep the pressure on them. The less time we waste on these defenses, the better."
"CIC, issue a warning to our ships to stay away from the barrier satellites if their shields are up."
"Yes, Numbuh Iota-3." Numbuh Theta-9 replies and relays the order to Bartie and the rest of the TND's fighters.
"CIC to all units, keep clear of the barrier satellites."
"Roger that, CIC. You heard her. You'll get vaporized if you touch those shields."
"Roger, Numbuh Lambda." Then, a massive laser beam is fired through the TND formation, forcing them to evade.
"Where the heck did that come from?!" Numbuh 59 shouts as he is forced to turn the K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. away from the laser.
"Looks like their flagship has finally showed up! All units, pull back and protect the Wild Child. It can't use its shields on it's sides!" Bartie shouts over the radio as the Young Rebel changes course and charges head-on against the three times bigger G.I.G.A.- K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R.
…
Meanwhile, inside the Moonbase, Abby and her team have reached the end of the dark corridor and arrive at a walkway that overlooks the Moonbase's massive computer core, where the Super Big Computermabob is located. "Okay, we've made it. Numbuh 2, you're up. We'll cover ya, okay?"
"Y…yeah, got it." Hoagie replies hesitantly while The Kid glares at him.
"Don't worry, Numbuh 2. We'll keep you safe while you install that backdoor thing." Kuki gives Hoagie an assuring smile, but he ignores it and takes the data-disc from his pocket.
"So, how do ya want to do this?" The Kid kneels next to Abby, who is observing the computer core, which is filled with both armed operatives and members of the KND Intelligence Division, who don't appear to be chipped.
"Gimme a moment…" Abby puts her hand on her left ear and boosts her B.R.A.'s audio sensors.
"707, have you caught the intruders yet?!" A black trench coat wearing operative with black hair and sunglasses talks to a tall, chipped Teen Hunter.
"Negative. They fled into the maintenance tunnels and sealed the entrance behind them."
"Grr, you teenagers are useless! The Computermabob must not fall in their hands! Argh, why did Numbuh 1000 give us only these teenagers when I specifically asked Drone L.O.C.K.A.S.O.C.K.A.'s?!"
"Calm down, Numbuh C-1A. Those teens would be insane to try and charge this room. We'd out number them 10 to 1. You worry too much." A lab coat wearing, bald male operative says nonchalantly but the KND's Chief of the Intelligence Division is not convinced.
"But if what Numbuh 1000 said is true, we're dealing with Sector V! You know as well as I do what they're capable of, Numbuh 310!"
"Yes but…" Up on the walkway, Abby readjusts her armor's sensors and turns to face her team.
"They're pissin' their pants down there. Let's give 'em heck."
"Hah, I like that plan!" The Kid stands up and jumps down from the walkway, followed the girls and Hoagie, who hangs back as the others attack the operatives defending the computer core. Below them, the Teen Hunters are the first to notice the attackers and immediately open fire.
"Enemy located, engaging!"
"Huh? What?!" Numbuh C-1A looks up and sees Abby and her team diving down on them. "It's them! Take them down! Protect the Super Big Computermabob!"
"Wow, these guys are putting up a real fight. Let's see how they'll handle this!" The Kid fires his Stupefier rifle on the Hunters, who evade and take off towards him, but Kuki uses her telekinesis to slam them back on to the steel floor, knocking them unconscious. Abby meanwhile makes a beeline for the Computermabob's main terminal but is blocked by four Hunters and five chipped operatives.
"9 against 1 huh? Numbuh 5's likin' these odds!" she smirks and fires a M.A.R.B.L.E. in-front of the defenders, disorienting the operatives but the Hunters charge at her with their close-range weapons.
"Too easy!" Abby drops to the floor and flies underneath the Hunters, stupefying two as she passes them. Her attack has given Hoagie the chance to fly over to the terminal but as he is about to put the data-disc into it, a laser whizzes past his head.
"Keep your dirty hands of the Computermabob, teenager!" Numbuh 310 points his S.P.I.C.E.R-II. at Hoagie, who counters with his Stupefier Rifle, which has been modified to shrink, so it can fit in the pocket of his blue trench coat.
"You sure you wanna mess with me?" he says with a threatening voice but Numbuh 310 is not intimidated.
"Hah, you don't scare me. Whatever you're planning isn't going to work, traitor!"
"The only traitors here are the Splinter Cell!" Hoagie shouts as he slowly moves closer to the terminal while Numbuh 310 moves closer to him, both aiming their weapons at their heads.
"We're going to save the world from your kind, teenager! Whatever it takes! 707!"
"Huh?! Guh!" Then, Hoagie is struck from behind by the tall Teen Hunter Numbuh 707, who pins him to the floor and points his heat-laser at Hoagie's head. "Dammit…" he tries to struggle but the Hunter is too strong.
"Unless you teenagers want your friend's head get blown off, I suggest you surrender right now!" The bald Vice-Chief of the Intelligence Division shouts, drawing the attention of Hoagie's friends.
"Numbuh 2!"
"Aw dammit!"
"No…"
"I won't repeat myself again! Surrender!" Abby, The Kid and Kuki are surrounded by the remaining Hunters and chipped operatives while Hoagie is unable to break free.
"No…Not like this…I was so close…" he begins to slowly move his hand towards his belt buckle, which is wedged between him and the floor.
"What do we do? We have to save Numbuh 2!" Kuki asks Abby, who looks around the room, but she can't come up with a plan.
"We should pull back…" The Kid says grimly, shocking the girls.
"No! We can't leave Hoagie!"
"Then what do ya suggest huh?! We'll all get captured if we stay here!" Kuki can't believe what she is hearing but before she can talk back, the vice-chief chuckles.
"Hah-hah. Well, maybe this will make your choice easier!" he pulls a silver pistol with a glowing blue barrel from his pocket, which Numbuh C-1A instantly recognizes.
"Numbuh 310, where did you get that?!"
"Sorry I didn't tell you, Chief, but Numbuh 1000 gave this to me as insurance. You can tell what this is, don't you, teenagers?"
"It's…an Erasure…weapon…" Hoagie says as 707's foot pressing against his back makes it hard to speak.
"Indeed. It's pre-production model, but it does its job. Now, will you surrender?" Numbuh 310 glares mockingly at The Kid and the girls.
"Don't…do it…" Hoagie pleads but Abby lowers her head in defeat.
"Fine…you win." she says and turns off her armor.
"Abby, you can't!" Kuki shouts in disbelief as Abby goes down her knees.
"Do it! We can't do anything now…"
"You can't be serious! Everyone's fighting out there! We can't just give up now!" Then, a blue beam flies past The Kid's head, startling him.
"Last chance!" Numbuh 310 presses the barrel of his gun against Hoagie's head, forcing The Kid and Kuki kneel as well. "That's more like it. Seize them!" The Hunters grab Hoagie's friends and press them against the floor as well.
"Guh, you bastards!" The Kid curses their captors but Numbuh 310 only laughs.
"That's better! Now then, let's get rid of your memories and chip you. You'll make good puppets for our cause."
"Wait Numbuh 310!" Numbuh C-1A grabs his deputy's shoulder from behind.
"Hmm?"
"Shouldn't we take them to the cells instead? They might have useful information."
"Are you kidding me? Don't you remember what the teenagers did to you? How they painted your face with a permanent marker pen? I lost my hair because of them. We don't need to show any mercy to these bullies!"
"I know that, but we shouldn't just…GAH!" Numbuh C-1A is blasted mid-sentence by Numbuh 310, using his Erasure gun. His superior squirms as he is enveloped by a blue light and then falls to the floor unconscious, much to their prisoner's horror.
"Don't you remember what Numbuh 1000 told us? Everyone over 13 is an enemy and they must not be given any mercy! I was right, you were a coward. And I'm glad Numbuh 1000 gave this to me instead of you. I'll be taking your job from now on. Take him away."
"Ugh…whe…where am I…who am I?" Abby, Kuki, The Kid and Hoagie watch in disbelief as two Hunters drag the amnesiac former Chief of Intelligence out of the computer core.
"You…how could you! He was your ally!"
"Cowards have no place in the Kids Next Door, teenagers! We are at war with adulthood, and we'll do whatever it takes to win!" Numbuh 310 says fanatically and points the Erasure gun towards Hoagie once more. "Now, you're next, traitor."
"Hoagie!" Abby screams as Numbuh 310 takes aim but just as he is about to pull the trigger, he is unable to move his hand at all.
"Huh? What the…why won't it…" he then notices Kuki staring at him, her eyes and medallion glowing in deep purple color.
"I'm…not losing my friends again! NEVER!" she screams and throws the pistol from Numbuh 310's hands before unleashing a massive telekinetic pulse, knocking everyone off their feet and sending their enemies flying through the room.
"ARRGH!" Numbuh 310 screams as he thrown across the room while Hoagie breaks free and runs towards the terminal. As he puts the disc into the terminal's disc drive, Abby, The Kid and Kuki get up and re-arm themselves just as the Hunters stand up, along with the chipped operatives and an irate Numbuh 310.
"Ghh…what are you standing around?! Get them!" he shouts and starts to frantically look for the Erasure pistol.
Abby meanwhile engages the tall Numbuh 707, who's long arms give him incredible reach but Abby's agility gives her the edge in the fight. "This is for Hoagie you jerk!" Abby shouts as she gets around the tall Hunter and tangles her opponent with her grappling wires before unleashing a powerful electric shock, which not only knocks him unconscious but also short circuits his armor and the mind-control chip. Behind her, The Kid and Kuki begin taking out the remaining Hunters, fueled by the shock of seeing the 10-year old Numbuh 310 erasing the 12-year-old Numbuh C-1A.
"I've seen loads of loco's since elementary but you Splinter Cell freaks are the worst!" The Kid shouts as he rapidly Stupefies the remaining Hunters while Kuki knocks out the chipped operatives.
"Come on…just a little more…" Hoagie mutters as he frantically downloads the system backdoor into the Computermabob, which, despite its powerful artificial intelligence is unaware it's being tampered with. Abby keeps her eyes glued on Hoagie, making sure no one interferes but then, she hears a faint groan behind her.
"Ugh…wha…where am I?" Numbuh 707, a former member of the Decommissioning Squad back when Sector V was still in the KND, opens his eyes and notices what's happening. "Huh? What's happening?! Why am I in the Moonbase?!"
"Hey, you okay, big guy?" Abby kneels next to him as Numbuh 707 gets his bearings.
"Ugh…hey, you're…you're Numbuh 5! Why are you here?!"
"It's a long story, but you got brainwashed by the Splinter Cell, with that chip in your neck." Abby explains as The Kid and Kuki mop up the rest of the defenders.
"Mind controlled…hey, this is my anti-Ninja chip! You're saying they brainwashed me with this?"
"Yup, now you better stand up. Ya don't wanna be a sitting duck here." Abby offers her hand to the former operative and helps him on his feet.
"Uhm…okay…thanksARRGGHH!" Numbuh 707 is hit by an Erasure beam right before Abby's eyes and collapses to the floor.
"Haah…you damn teenagers…you're of no use without your chips…" Numbuh 310 pants as he points his pistol at Abby, who freezes. Despite every fiber in her body telling her to dodge and run, she can't move. The sight of the freed Numbuh 707 getting erased has filled her body with fear. The Kid and Kuki also realize what's happening but they can't react fast enough and Kuki can't use another pulse in such a short time. Hoagie however has seen everything and lunges towards Abby using his J.E.T.A.B.O.O.T.S.
"Noooo!" he screams just as Numbuh 310 pulls the trigger, firing a blue energy bolt towards Abby, who can see it coming towards her in slow motion before Hoagie gets between her and the beam, which is followed by a bright flash.
"Ho…HOAGIE!" Abby screams through the flash but then, as her sight clears, she sees Hoagie's Exo-Suit standing in-front of her.
"Huh…what the…no…NO!" Numbuh 310 fires his erasure pistol at the Exo-Suit but it has no effect on the machine.
"You monster…how can you people justify doing this?" Hoagie asks as his Exo-Suit starts slowly moving towards Numbuh 310, who becomes more and more afraid.
"Stay…stay away from me!" he screams while firing his pistol in vain as Hoagie keeps walking towards him.
"You messed with me and now you'll pay!" Hoagie points the Exo-Suit's ten, hollowed-out fingers at the panicking Splinter Cell loyalist, who drops his pistol and tries to run, his whole body filled with fear.
"GET AWAY FROM ME! NUMBUH 1000, HELP ME! HE…" Hoagie coldly stupefies Numbuh 310 on the spot before turning off his armor, his body shaking from anger.
"You had no right…no right to take their memories just like that…" he mutters and picks up the pistol while Kuki tends to Abby.
"Numbuh 5?" she asks as Abby stands up and looks woefully at Hoagie.
"I messed up again…"
"No, you didn't. I'm just glad you're not hurt or…mind-wiped…" Kuki gives her a hug but Abby's attention is only focused on Hoagie, who stares at the pistol in his hand.
"We…have to tell the others! This can't be the only Erasure weapon they've got!"
"…ri…Right! Leave that to Numbuh 5!" Abby replies and contacts Nigel and Patton through the Signal Receiver while Hoagie disarms the pistol and puts it into his pocket. Then, he eyes the stupefied Numbuh 310 and violently kicks his crystallized prison, knocking it over. Kuki, The Kid and especially Abby are shocked by his rare outburst. Hoagie then turns around and takes out his rifle.
"Let's go…I'll snap if I see that face again…"
"What about the computer?" Kuki asks as Hoagie walks past the girls.
"Taken care of…come on…we need to get to the hangar." The girls nod at each other and follow him, along with The Kid, who is taken aback by Hoagie's actions.
"I guess I owe you an apology, Gilligan. Big time…"
…
In the upper levels of the Moonbase, Nigel receives a coded message from Abby and it's contents send a chill down his spine. "Dammit…" he mutters as they slowly move through the corridors, keeping out of sight.
"What's up?"
"Well Numbuh 4…Numbuh 5 and her team encountered resistance in the computer core and a Splinter Cell loyalist used an Erasure weapon against them."
"Wait, what?! You're not serious?!" Wally becomes alarmed but Nigel calms him down.
"Don't worry, she said that none of her teammates got erased. But, we need be on our toes from now on. This can only mean that the Splinter Cell are already mass-producing Erasure weapons. I'll relay the message to Numbuh Zeta and the Wild Child." Nigel relays the message forward as Fanny stops in-front of a laser grid, beyond which is the entrance to the Defense Bridge.
"Looks like they know we're comin'." she whispers as Nigel inspects the grid carefully.
"Seem like it…this could be a problem…"
"So, what's the plan now?" Wally asks as Nigel brings out the 3D-layout once more.
"We can't afford to make any more detours. Leave this one to me." Nigel says and activates his Silhouette Suit, before slowly walking towards the grid.
"Hey, are ya stupid?! You're gonna set off the…"
"Shhh! Wait." Wally puts his hand over Fanny's mouth as Nigel enters the grid, but becomes intangible and easily makes his way through it, much to Fanny's surprise.
"Oh, right…I forgot he could do that…" she mutters as Nigel destroys a small power box on the other side, shutting down the grid.
"Okay, it's powered down, but they'll notice what's happened here. We'll rush the bridge and take it over. Ready your weapons." Nigel says as he rips off his Suit while Wally arms his Accelerator Rifle and Stupefier Cannon while Fanny readies her heat-laser cannons. Then, they run towards reinforced door and Nigel breaks it apart using his telekinesis but when they enter the bridge, they realize it's filled to the brim with guards and Hunters.
"Ow crud…"
"Of course…" Nigel says as an armored shudder covers the entrance they just broke through, trapping them in the bridge.
"You teenagers are so predictable." Numbuh 406, the Global Security Commander of the KND, says coldly as he stands on an observation deck overlooking the bridge. He is also flanked by a Hunter and a familiar face.
"Nu...Numbuh 20.000…" Fanny can't believe her eyes as her former colleague stares back down at her.
"You really chose the wrong side, Numbuh 86." he says coldly, surprising Nigel.
"Wait a minute, I thought they chipped you!"
"No, I've been with the Splinter Cell for 4 years now. But I'm glad my acting worked so well."
"How could you?! You're telling me you've been conspiring with these psychos since you were 11?!" Fanny shouts furiously, her body shaking from anger.
"Yup. I believe adulthood should be eradicated. Otherwise, kids will never be truly free!"
"But you're a teenager yourself." Nigel retorts but the former leader of SKWID squad is unfazed.
"Indeed, but I'm not doing this for myself. You have no idea what's at stake here. And if we must bend the rules, then so be it."
"Enough talk! Now that you're trapped in here, you've earned a one-way ticket to the Erasure chamber!" Numbuh 406 shouts but neither Nigel, Fanny or Wally seem worried.
"Hmph, you see, that's where you're wrong." Nigel says coolly and nods at Wally and Fanny.
"Cuz we're not trapped in here with you, you're all trapped in here with us!" Wally shouts as he opens fire, while Fanny flies up and tackles Numbuh 20.000 before he can react, pushing him off the observation deck and onto the Defense Bridge's floor.
"I'm gonna make ya wish ya were chipped, you traitor!" she shouts as she pins Numbuh 20.000 against the floor but he kicks her in the stomach, freeing himself from her grip and readies his heat-laser cannons.
"I've always wanted to see how well you fight, 86. Let's do this!" As Numbuh 20.000 and Fanny engage in a heated duel, Nigel booster jumps to the observation under Wally's covering fire and charges at the Global Security Commander.
"Seize him!" he shouts as three Hunters get between him and Nigel, who immediately performs a flying kick, knocking out the first Hunter before rolling forward, past the next two Hunters, stupefying them from behind without looking. However, the last Hunter draws two retractable energy tomahawks and dashes forward, forcing Nigel to coat his hands in his Suit and grab the tomahawks before they hit him, leaving him and the Hunter in a deadlock. Suddenly, the Hunter rears his head back and headbutts Nigel, knocking him to the floor, allowing the Hunter to bring out his Chipping Gauntlet but Nigel immediately pushes him back with telekinesis before standing up.
"Gah…" Nigel pants as Numbuh 406 presses a button on his 2x4 wristwatch, causing 4 drone L.O.C.K.A.S.O.C.K.A.'s to fall from the ceiling. Three of them fall to the central floor where Wally and Fanny are fighting while the fourth one lands between Nigel and Numbuh 406.
"You can't win, Nephew! The Kids Next Door will never lose!"
"Too bad this is not the Kids Next Door we're fighting against. You are nothing more than cowards who you others for your own gain. That's why the TND will defeat you!" Nigel shouts and unleashes a surge of fire from his hands, disintegrating the robot instantly, but before he can go after Numbuh 406, the Hunter he pushed away tackles him to the floor and attempts to chip him again, but Nigel throws him up against the ceiling before slamming him back to the observation deck's floor, knocking him out cold. "Now then, where was I?" he says and begins walking towards Numbuh 406, who makes a beeline for the emergency chute, but before he can escape, the air vent cover above him falls and a mysterious figure jumps down, landing right between 406 and the chute.
"Don't even think about it, mon." The person says as he points a pair of S.P.I.C.E.R.- II's at the Security Commander. Nigel immediately recognizes the stranger.
"Nu…Numbuh 1-Love?! What are you doing here?" Nigel says in disbelief as Keith's sudden appearance knocks Numbuh 406 off his feet.
"Ya mon, long time no see, Numbuh 1. I'd love to tell ya the whole story but first, we've got a battle to win." Keith smirks and holds Numbuh 406 at gunpoint. "You and the Splinter Cell are gonna have lots of answering to do once this is over, for mindwiping all the prisoners and then chippin' dem."
"So what?! We did it because it was the only way to make you teenagers useful!" Numbuh 406 shouts defiantly as Nigel becomes enraged by what he's heard.
"You did what?! Grr…you're no better than Father…" he shakes his fist as Keith presses his left S.P.I.C.E.R. against 406's head and grabs the Level 8 keycard from his red uniform's chest pocket.
"Mon, you might wanna take this." he throws the card to Nigel and points at the control terminal behind him. "Turn off the automated defenses, mon, and the Moonbase is gonna be wide open."
"No! Hunters! Get over here!" Numbuh 406 screams as five Hunters fly up to the observation deck and attack Nigel and Keith, surrounding them. The former Sector Commanders stand back-to-back while Numbuh 406 hides behind the Hunters.
"This is a fight you can't win, Nephew! We knew you were coming here and now; you'll suffer the same fate as all other teenagers will!"
"I think you're forgetting one thing: I'm not fighting alone." Nigel says as Wally booster jumps up to the observation deck and opens fire from above.
"You're not goin' anywhere, ya cruddy Hunters!" his attack forces the Hunters to scatter as Nigel hands his second Stupefier to Keith.
"Try this." Keith nods and immediately stupefies the Hunter closest to him.
"Hey, this be a pretty good weapon, mon." Keith smirks as he and Nigel charge the Hunters, while Wally lands and activates his shield-knuckles, joining the melee.
"No…stop them! They've taken my key-card!" But when Numbuh 406 tries to call for more Hunters to protect him, he gets no response. "What?! What happened to all the troops?!" Numbuh 406 then peeks over the edge of the deck and sees almost everyone of his subordinates either stupefied or knocked unconscious. But to his great shock, there are more teenagers fighting against the remaining troops. "Where did those teenagers come from?! Wait…you're the prisoners that escaped!"
"Bingo, mon! We weren't gonna let ya get away with erasing all those prisoners!" Keith shouts and tries to catch Numbuh 406, who runs to the other side of the bridge.
"Numbuh 20.000! Get up here! They've stolen my key-card!" he screams as Numbuh 20.000 jumps away from a furious Fanny and looks up.
"Hmph, I guess the jig is up." he sighs and activates his jet boots. "This was just round one, 86. I'll be waiting for you."
"Come back here, ya slimy coward!" Fanny opens fire but Numbuh 20.000 evades her lasers and flies towards the emergency escape hatch, to Numbuh 406's disbelief.
"Numbuh 20.000! Where are you going?! Get back here!" but the former Security Officer ignores his pleas and flies through the hatch as Numbuh 406 is cornered by Wally, Nigel, Keith, his fellow escapees and Fanny, who joins them on observation deck. "No…stay back…"
"This is the end of the line. Surrender." Nigel says with a commanding voice, but Numbuh 406 begins to shake as he reaches down into his pocket.
"Heh…heh-heh…you teenagers will never win!"
"What's with him?" Wally asks Nigel, who notices a silver pistol appearing from Numbuh 406's pocket.
"Huh?!"
"YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME! LONG LIVE THE KIDS NEXT DOOR!"
"NO!" Before Nigel can stop him with his telekinesis, Numbuh 406 shoots himself with the Erasure pistol, wiping his mind completely and falling to the floor unconscious. As Nigel kneels next to him, Wally picks up the pistol.
"What the crud did he do?"
"He…he erased himself…rather than face judgement for his crimes…dammit…" Nigel punches the floor in frustration.
"No way, mon…that's just messed up…"
"Crud…does that mean all Splinter Cell freaks have these things?!"
"Most likely…" Nigel mutters as Fanny angrily kicks the terminal next to her.
"Damn you Splinter Cell! You're all a bunch of stupid idiots! Why the heck do ya have to go this far?!"
"Because the only thing they know is hatred, hatred against the world. Just like Rachel said, this isn't just about adults or teenagers anymore. The Splinter Cell won't rest until they've erased everyone who stand against them…" Nigel stands up and walks over to the terminal. "But that ends today. We'll defeat them, once and for all." he swipes the key-card on the card reader and begins typing on the keyboard.
"Alert, Moonbase exterior defense system forced shutdown has been initiated. All anti- air weapon systems are now offline." The Super Big Computermabob's voice is heard throughout the Moonbase as Nigel turns to face Keith and the others.
"Thank you for the help, Numbuh 1-Love."
"No problem, mon. But the name's Agent Hermit now." he says as they shake hands.
"Uhm, what are we gonna do with all these people?" Fanny points at the unconscious Hunters littering the floor.
"Leave them to us, Numbuh Beta. They're our cellmates after all. You guys are needed in the hangar." Keith says, but Nigel becomes suspicious.
"Wait, how do you know about our plan?"
"Like I said, mon, it's a long story. I'll tell ya when this is all over, okay?"
"Alright, understood. Take care."
"Wow, hold on, mon. Ya might want this back." Keith hands the Stupefier back to Nigel, who holsters it and turns to face the door that leads out of the observation deck.
"Make sure you explain yourself, got it."
"Heh, just get going already, mon." Keith smirks as Nigel leads Wally and Fanny out of the bridge while Keith and the other escapees begin un-chipping the Hunters and operatives.
…
Up on the Moonbase's command deck, the bridge crew are trying to frantically reactivate the external defenses while Numbuh 1000 receives a message from Numbuh 20.000. "I'm sorry, Supreme Leader, but the Defense Command Bridge was overrun."
"Grr…what about Numbuh 406?"
"He stayed behind so I could escape and keep fighting. I think he erased himself. Also, we lost contact with the Intelligence Division shortly before Nephew attacked."
"I see…fine, head to the main hangar. I'm putting you in-charge of the Moonbase's internal defense now that Numbuh 406 is gone."
"Yes, Sir." Numbuh 20.000 ends the call while Numbuh 1000 turns his attention to Numbuh 105.
"Have you rerouted the defense systems here already?"
"We are trying, Sir, but something is stopping our commands from going through."
"Something? What? Explain!"
"If I knew, I'd tell you, Sir!"
"Useless…you are useless, Numbuh 105! Without the anti-air defenses, the Moonbase is a sitting a duck!"
"We're doing all we can. We'll just have to rely on the Space Fleet until we've finished rerouting!" Numbuh 105 shouts back at the increasingly angry Supreme Leader but before he can talk back, an officer in-charge of the CIC intervenes.
"Sir! The Space Fleet have crossed the TND carrier's T and are firing on their shields as we speak."
"Excellent, Numbuh 145. What's the enemy's status?" Numbuh 1000 calms down slightly.
"Well Sir…they…" but then, a chipped operative points at the screen of his terminal and the CIC officer's face turns pale.
"Well?"
"They…they've just broken through the 2nd Defense Line and…are headed directly towards the Moonbase."
"What?! The barrier satellites should've caught that ship!"
"They were destroyed by…by our fleet."
"WHAT?!" Numbuh 1000 stands up and stomps over to Numbuh 145, who begins to shiver from fear. "You mean to tell me our defense line was destroyed…by our own space fleet?!"
"The…the TND's ships hid behind the satellites when the fleet opened fire and they were…caught in the barrage."
"RAAAH!" Numbuh 1000 roars and hits the terminal next to him. "What is the fleet doing?! They actually fell for such a simple trick! Numbuh 145, order the fleet to take down that carrier, no matter what. Tell them to ram it if nothing else!"
"Sir, that's suicide…gah!" Numbuh 105 tries to protest but the Supreme Leader punches him to the floor, his eyes filled with fury.
"Silence! I am the Supreme Leader, and I give the orders! All you have to do, is follow them. Don't forget what awaits us all if we're defeated here! The Moonbase must not fall, no matter what!"
"…yes…sir..." Numbuh 105 replies while holding his stomach and stands up.
"Issue this order to all our forces: Defend the Moonbase to the last operative." Numbuh 1000 glares at Numbuh 145, who shakes from fear and has the order relayed but then, an alarm goes off.
"Alert, a large object is on a collision course. Estimated time to impact, 10 minutes."
"Collision course?! You don't mean…"
"Those teenagers are trying to ram the Moonbase with their carrier!" Panic and fear erupts among the un-chipped operatives but Numbuh 1000 quickly establishes order.
"Focus, you idiots! The Space Fleet will stop them! Concentrate on bringing the defenses back online and stop those teenagers who are inside the Moonbase!" he roars, silencing his subordinates. But while the rest of the Command Deck crew refocus on their jobs, Numbuh 1000 presses a button on his armrest. "Supreme Leader here. Have the Orbital Shipyards ready for my arrival, in case the Moonbase falls. Never Grow must continue." he whispers but unknown to him, Numbuh 105 has overheard him but remains quiet.
…
Out in space, the Gihugeacarrier has shattered the KND's defensive fleet formation and begins to align itself with the Moonbase. However, the G.I.G.A.- K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. refuses to back down and it's captain orders the ship to concentrate all fire on the carrier. But then, the Wild Child's frontal shields shut down while the side shields are activated instead, protecting the sides from the Space Fleet, which has moved to surround the carrier.
"Shield power at 50%. We're right on the limit, Commander."
"I know, Numbuh Iota-3. But we have to keep going." Rachel bites her lip as she receives a message from Numbuh Gamma.
"Commander, the Moonbase's external defenses are down. The route is clear."
"Numbuh 1's team succeeded…alright., begin final approach. Numbuh Theta-9, order our fighters to draw the fleet's fire away from us."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Numbuh Iota-3, I'm leaving the Switchboard under your command. I'm going to the hangar to lead the attack."
"Roger, Commander. Be careful."
"Same to you." Rachel nods and runs out of the bridge while Herbie turns his focus on the most critical part of their plan, docking with the Moonbase.
"Commence alignment. Rotate the carrier 90 degrees and prepare the tether anchors. From here on out, all maneuvering will be done with the verniers, understood?"
"Yes, Sir!"
The carrier begins to slowly rotate to the left while maintaining it's course. Using a laser-guidance system, the Wild Child slowly aligns itself with the Moonbase, much to the confusion of the KND.
"What are they doing?!" An un-chipped operative shouts on the bridge of the G.I.G.A.- K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. as it's captain stands up.
"Wait a minute, they aren't trying to ram the Moonbase…they're attempting to dock with it! CIC, warn the Supreme Leader! Helmsman, full speed ahead. We'll stop them here!" the captain shouts as the huge ship breaks away from the main fleet and goes on a collision course with the Gihugeacarrier.
"The Space Fleet's flagship has broken away and is coming straight at us!"
"Don't deviate from the course! Activate the portside turret network and open fire. Contact Numbuh Lambda and have the fighters swarm that ship!"
The Wild Child laser turrets open fire on the flagship while Bartie leads the TND's ships and cycles against it but the sturdy G.I.G.A.- K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. doesn't budge and keeps coming, despite taking a heavy punishment from the carrier's turrets.
"It's no use! It's aiming for our portside hangar!" Numbuh Theta-9 shouts as Herbie clenches his fist, knowing that if they try to evade, they'll be misaligned and can't make another run, due to ship's size. As the carrier is buffeted by the KND Space Fleet, which has followed the flagship's initiative and attempt to ram the carrier, Herbie contemplates on aborting the docking when suddenly, a bright light engulfs the G.I.G.A.- K.O.L.O.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R.'s six engines.
"Wha…what's happening?!"
"Sir, we've lost control of our propulsion systems!"
"What?!" the captain shouts in disbelief as the flagship starts reversing backwards, it's engines and verniers pushing it away from the carrier. And when they try continuing the cannon barrage, the bridge crew realize the entire ship has been remotely taken over.
"The ship is not responding!"
"No!"
Aboard the Wild Child, Herbie and the Switchboard's crew can't believe their eyes. "It's…retreating? How?" Herbie asks as Numbuh Gamma contacts him from the Deciphering Room.
"This is our chance, Numbuh Iota-3. Don't waste it!"
"Right. Continue with the approach!" As the carrier prepares to dock, Numbuh Gamma must lean against a wall and his body feels exhausted.
"That was too close…I didn't want to resort this yet…"
…
Inside the Moonbase, Nigel, Fanny and Wally continue to fight their way towards the hangar, which has already come under attack from Patton and his Combat Force. Soon, they find a maintenance tunnel that leads to the hangar's repair bay, located on the left side, opposite to the docks, which is being contested by the Combat Force and the KND defending the hangar. "The Combat Force are already inside. We'll use this tunnel to get behind the defenders and trap them in the crossfire. Keep an eye out for Erasure weapons." Nigel says as they sneak through the tunnel.
"What about Numbuh 5's team?" Wally asks, feeling anxious.
"They'll join us when they get here." Nigel replies, trying to remain calm, but he is haunted by Numbuh 406 willingly erasing himself. "We won't let them erase anyone; I swear."
"You know I got your back."
"And me too. We'll make 'em pay." Fanny says, causing Nigel to look back and smile a little.
"I know that…but thanks." As they approach the other end of the tunnel, they can hear the sounds of fierce fighting from the hangar. Then, they arrive in-front of a red hatch. "Okay, get ready." Nigel puts his hands on handle and rotates it slowly, unlocking the hatch. Peeking inside, Nigel can see the laser flashes from the docks, where the Combat Force has engaged the KND in close-range combat. "Numbuh 4, you go first, Numbuh Beta and I will cover you. We need to draw their attention."
"Right, leave 'em to me." Wally slips through the hatch and jumps down to the workshop area, which is filled with repair equipment and a few disassembled ships. Taking aim with his Accelerator Rifle, Wally starts bombarding the KND from behind with the twin laser cannon mounted in the main barrel. His surprise attack shocks the KND troops defending the hangar and gives the Combat Force a chance to press their attack. Then, Nigel and Fanny join the fray as the KND split up and charge both sides at once while more troops pour in through the main entrance.
"Numbuh 4, here they come!" Nigel shouts as he fires on the KND from atop one of the broken ships, stupefying anyone that tries to get close.
"Alright, let's give these freaks a clobbering!" Wally withdraws his rifle and activates his shield-knuckles. "Come on!" he charges against the KND, knocking out and stupefying his foes at close range. Above him, Fanny flies over the KND and rains stun missiles from her backpack, thinning the defender's numbers dramatically. As she lands on the dockside of the hangar, she meets up with Patton.
"Fanny! Great to see you. You okay?"
"I'm fine. Just focus on your job!" Fanny replies bluntly, but feels glad Patton worried about her. Suddenly, a Teen Hunter appears behind her but Patton stupefies him instantly.
"Hah, speak for yourself!"
"Oh shut up!" Fanny snaps at Patton as they stand back-to-back, protecting each other from the KND's relentless attacks.
On the repair bay side, Wally and Nigel turn their attention to the main entrance. "Numbuh 4, on me! We'll secure the entrance!"
"Gotcha!" Wally breaks away from the melee and booster jumps towards the huge entrance as Nigel does the same. They land on an elevated dock meant for special ships and use it as cover as they move closer, but before they can reach the entrance, blue beams start shooting out from behind the KND. Then, led by Hoagie, Abby and her team fly out of the entrance, much Wally and Nigel's elation.
"Alright! They made it!"
"That's a relief. Let's go!" Nigel and Wally jump down from the dock head towards their teammates, who land in-front of the entrance.
"Numbuh 5!" Nigel shouts as he and Wally join Abby and the others.
"Numbuh 1! You guys okay?" Abby asks Nigel as he lands next to her and Hoagie.
"We're fine. I got your message earlier. We need to hurry and bring this battle to an end, before anyone else is erased."
"Numbuh 5 agrees. Let's kick the Splinter Cell to the curb!" Behind them, Wally lands between Kuki and The Kid.
"Look who finally showed up." The Kid says with a slight smirk.
"Not in the mood for your cruddy jokes." Wally replies bluntly and moves to cover Kuki and The Kid from behind. "I'm glad you're okay…"
"Hmm? Did you say that to me or her?"
"Gah…both!" Wally shouts and turns his attention on the KND while The Kid only laughs louder.
"Hah-haa, you're a bad liar, you know that?" he remarks as he stupefies a group of chipped operatives that were trying to attack Wally from behind.
"And you talk too cruddy much!" Wally yells back as he takes out a Hunter who was trying to take The Kid by surprise.
"Hey! What did I say about fighting?!" Kuki snaps at the boys as she knocks out a squad of operatives who were firing on the boys with her telekinesis.
"Ey, we weren't fighting, we were having a heartfelt reunion, right, Beetles?"
"Yeah, sure…" Wally replies as he knocks out a Hunter using his Stupefier Cannon.
Then, Nigel contacts his teammates. "Alright team, we need to secure the entrance and stop their reinforcements from reaching the hangar. Numbuh 5, cover Numbuh 3 while she clears us a path. Numbuh 4, Numbuh 2, Agent Halcón, you're with me. Out target is the control booth next to the shudders. Understood?!"
"Roger."
"Excellent. Commence attack!" Nigel shouts as Kuki steps forward and unleashes a horde of ghost hamsters, sending them directly against the mass of operatives and Hunters rushing through the entrance. Their sudden appearance sends the non-chipped operatives into a panic, immobilizing the chipped operatives in the process.
"Gho…GHOSTS!" The non-chipped operatives scream in horror and turn back, leaving behind their mind-controlled troops, who stand still as the surge of ghost hamsters knocks them unconscious.
"Path cleared!" Kuki shouts before nearly collapsing from the strain, but Abby is there to give her a shoulder to lean onto.
"I gotcha!"
"Thanks…"
"You heard her, CHARGE!" The boys rush towards the ramp that leads to control booth, attacking anyone who tries to stop them. While The Kid and Hoagie provide top cover, Nigel and Wally force their way through what little opposition they have left and reach the control booth, stupefying the officer in-charge of the hangar's control system. Then, Hoagie lands behind them and deactivates his Exo-Suit.
"Numbuh 2, get to work. We'll cover you."
"Got it. I won't take long." Hoagie replies with a steely expression as he starts typing on the keyboard. Down on the hangar floor, Abby and Kuki are joined by Fanny and Patton, along with the Combat Force.
"You guys okay?" Fanny asks as Abby protects Kuki from stragglers.
"Yeah, Numbuh 3 just needs a breather and she'll be fine."
"Sorry…"
"Girl, don't be sorry. Just focus on getting' yo strength back. We've got tons of fightin' left to do."
"Numbuh 5's right. Don't worry. We'll cover ya." Fanny gives Kuki an assuring smile and turns her attention towards the four remaining Hunters, who are still in the Hangar. "Alright, come an' get it!" she pulls out a combat staff from her backpack and attacks the Hunter by herself.
"Hey, wait!" Patton shouts but Fanny ignores him and with a few well-placed strikes from her staff, knocks out the Hunters quickly, much to Patton's surprise.
"Quit whinin' will ya! I can take care of myself, thank you very much!" Fanny snaps at Patton who concedes and shakes his head.
"Yeah, I know that."
At the other end of the ramp, Hoagie succeeds in taking over the hangar's controls. "Okay, I'm in!"
"Excellent. Close all other entrances apart from the main one. That'll reduce their chances of surrounding us."
"Roger that." But just as Hoagie finishes shutting the hatches, the Super Big Computermabob speaks through the intercom.
"Alert, unknown object about to impact Moonbase. All hands, prepare for impact."
"Here they come!" Nigel shouts victoriously as the Moonbase starts to shake.
Outside, the Wild Child is on final approach. "T-minus 2 minutes until impact!"
"Deploy tether anchors! Reverse thrust!" Herbie shouts as multiple alloyed wires are launched from the carrier, striking the Moonbases hangar doors four corners. Then, the Gihugeacarrier starts to shake violently as the vernier thrusters push it back, slowing it down to reduce the chance of the docking causing damage to either the Moonbase or the carrier. "All hands, brace for impact!"
Up on the Moonbase's command deck, Numbuh 1000 and his followers watch in disbelief as the Gihugeacarrier slows down to a crawl and approaches the hangar. "What are they trying to do?!"
"I don't know Sir, but they'll hit us!" Numbuh 145 replies as the entire Moonbase starts shaking violently.
Then, a loud bang is heard as the carrier's hangar door makes contact with the Moonbase's hangar. "Docking complete, sir!"
"Excellent, Numbuh Theta-9. Numbuh Gamma, is the backdoor working?" Herbie contacts the Intelligence Chief, who nods.
"Roger. We are assuming control of the Super Big Computermabob as we speak."
"*sigh* Good. Commander Numbuh Epsilon, everything is ready."
"Well done. I'll leave the carrier in your care, Numbuh Iota-3. I've got a meeting with the Splinter Cell."
"Good luck, Commander."
"Thank you. It's time we finish this." Rachel replies and looks back at the agents standing behind her, all wearing TND Battle Ready Armor. "Let's show Numbuh 1000 the consequences of his actions."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Then, both hangar doors slowly open and Rachel leads the agents into battle.
"TEENS NEXT DOOR, BATTLESTATIONS!" she shouts and flies out into the hangar, followed by the agents as they rush towards the main hangar floor and overwhelm the remaining defenders. "This is Numbuh Epsilon to all troops! Our target is the Central Command Deck and the Splinter Cell leaders. Don't let anything stop you! Their reign of terror ends today!"
"You heard her! Sector V, on me!" Nigel rallies his team, and they lead the assault towards the upper levels, while the Splinter Cell prepare to throw everything they have at them.
Up on the Central Command Deck, a seething Numbuh 1000 can't believe his eyes over what has happened. Staring coldly at the main screen, which shows CCTV footage of the mayhem unfolding in the lower levels, he clenches his fists and turns towards a frantic Numbuh 105. "How long are you going to let these teenagers desecrate the Moonbase?! Have you rerouted the system already?!"
"We are trying Sir, but the Super Big Computermabob is not responding to any of our commands! All we get are error messages!"
"Argh! Why do you people have to be so useless! Those teenagers are going to take over the Moonbase at this rate!"
"Not if we can stop them! We won't fail you sir!"
"You already did, Numbuh 145! Gah, get me Numbuh 20.000!"
"We can't! The communication system isn't working either!"
"No…NO! This can't be happening! Not now! I want contact re-established at all costs! If we lose here, the Earth is doomed!"
End of Transmission 46