Transmission 47: Downfall
Back on Earth, Father sitting in his throne room, watching the battle for the Moonbase with great interest. "Don't let me down now, Mr. Uno. You should have no trouble dispatching that delusional child and his followers…"
"Father, everything is ready. All troops have been moved to their assigned positions and are ready to strike." the shadowy figure contacts Father through the screen on his throne's armrest.
"Excellent. And what about the…key Ms. Solis gave us?"
"The virus is ready to be installed as well."
"Very good but we cannot act until the Moonbase has been…cleaned. So, why don't we just sit back, and enjoy the show. After all, soon there will be no one, who can oppose my new world order. And it will also be the end of the Kids Next Door…hah-hah…"
…
Meanwhile, the appearance of Rachel and her reinforcements have turned the battle inside the Moonbase on its head. With no way of contacting their superiors on the Command Deck, the Splinter Cell-aligned operatives can't issue proper orders to their mind-controlled subordinates, who in turn become increasingly sluggish. Their foes however continue their merciless advance through the Moonbase and are closing in on the central shaft, which leads up to the saucer where the Command Deck is located.
"Listen up! I want the Combat Force to occupy all essential areas of the Moonbase, so the Science and Armory Sections can assume control in there. Now that the Moonbase's computers are under our control, they can't use the defense systems against us! Sector V, Numbuh's Zeta, Beta and Agent Halcón, you are with me! We'll make a beeline for the saucer!" Rachel shouts her orders while fighting the KND at the same time. Patton relays the order to the Combat Force, who begin sweeping the Moonbase while Rachel leads the rest to the shaft but right before they get there, the TND arrive to a large assembly area, where a familiar face is waiting for them, along with the chipped teenage prisoners.
"You!" Fanny shouts as Rachel orders a halt on the attack. Standing across the hall is none other than Numbuh 20.000, staring coldly at his former comrades. He is wearing a blue and gray Battle Ready Armor with a set of goggles above his eyes.
"Looks like we've got a proper class reunion going on here. Why didn't you invite me?" his condescending glare angers not only Fanny, but also Nigel and Patton.
"Whu…what's Numbuh 20.000 doing there?! And why's he speaking? I thought he was chipped." Hoagie asks as Nigel clenches his fist.
"No, he's been on the Splinter Cell's side for 4 years." his words surprise not only his teammates, but also Rachel, who stares at the former Security Chief in disapproval.
"Is that so? How could you, Numbuh 20.000? Why would you side with them?!"
"Because it's the only way the world will be saved. Otherwise, the adults will subjugate all kids, no matter what we do. The world needs to change, and we'll be the ones to do it!"
"You're either brain-dead or crazy if ya really believe that junk they're spittin'!" Abby says in disgust, but Numbuh 20.000 is undeterred by the words of his former colleagues.
"It doesn't matter what you think. Project: Never Grow must succeed, no matter what. And I won't let you reach the upper levels, that I'll assure you!"
"Enough! I'm done listenin' to the crap that's comin' outta your mouth! Now prepare yerself, because I'm comin' fer you, 20.000!" Fanny shouts and flies towards Numbuh 20.000, laser cannons blazing.
"So, you ready for round 2? Fine, let's do this! Get them!" he orders the chipped teenagers to attack Fanny and the rest, but before Rachel and Sector V can respond, Patton gestures them to keep going.
"Leave him to us! I've got a score to settle with him too!"
"But Numbuh Zeta, you can't take them all on at once!"
"Just watch me, Numbuh 1. You guys got scores to settle too, right? Now get going! We'll take care of this!" Patton gives Nigel and the others an assuring smile, to which they nod back.
"Okay, take them down, Numbuh Zeta." Nigel says as Wally gives Patton a thumbs up.
"We'll give Numbuh 1000 a kick in the butt for you guys too!"
"You better!" Patton replies and charges into the fray while Rachel, The Kid and Sector V go around the melee, but Numbuh 20.000 notices this.
"Don't let them get way! Stop them!" he shouts as Fanny and Patton corner him.
"Your fight's with us!"
"Hmph, fine, I'll take you both on!"
As Patton and Fanny double team Numbuh 20.000, the chipped teenagers attack the others, who are trying to reach the open door on the other end of the assembly area. However, before they can even fire at Nigel and co., Hoagie, piloting his Exo-Suit, stupefies most of them with a combined shot from the suit's ten finger-mounted Stupefiers.
"Nice shot, Numbuh 2." Nigel says as they fly through the door, which leads to a wide corridor and soon, they reach the shaft, which is still sealed by the shudders.
"Argh, those things are still closed." Abby laments as Rachel contacts the carrier.
"This is Numbuh Epsilon to Switchboard, open the shudders in the main shaft, quickly."
"Roger, we're disabling the Labyrinth protocol now." Herbie replies and in an instant, the heavy doors begin to slowly slide away, clearing the way to the top.
"Okay, the course is clear. Numbuh 4, Agent Halcón, you two lead the way. Numbuh 2, can your suit carry the rest of us?"
"Yeah, no problem."
"Good. Numbuh 5, you go inside the suit, Numbuh 3, Numbuh Epsilon, we'll hold onto the arms and back.
"Whu…why do I gotta?" Abby tries to protest but Nigel shuts her up with a sharp glare.
"Just do it!"
"Right…" Abby mutters as Hoagie hesitantly opens the Exo-Suit's chest plate and lets her in. As Abby hunkers down next to Hoagie's seat. As Hoagie fiddles with the buttons on the suit's dashboard, Abby looks at him and tries to talk.
"…Hoagie…"
"Sorry, not now." Hoagie replies quickly as Kuki and Nigel climb on the suit's heavy arms while Rachel hops the back and uses her B.R.A.'s magnetic touch to secure herself to Betsy MK II Custom.
"Alright, Numbuh 2, let's go."
"Okay. Hold on tight." Hoagie stoically as he activates the suit's back-mounted jet boosters. As Betsy Mk II Custom slowly begins to ascend, Wally activates his B.R.A.'s High Altitude Mode and The Kid deploys his wings.
"Race you to the top, Beetles."
"Hah, you've got no chance!" Wally replies and blasts off, followed closely by The Kid and Hoagie's Exo-Suit, which despite carrying four extra people, isn't falling behind. However, as they go higher up the shaft, the team comes under fire from the KND, who have been able to move around now that the doors aren't closed anymore.
"Ignore them! Evade and don't return fire!" Rachel shouts as every single walkway above them unleashes a storm of lasers on them.
"Wow! Man, this is cramping my style!" The Kid exclaims as they are forced to dodge not only the lasers but also the walkways themselves.
"Quit whinin'! You're gonna fall behind, flyboy!" Wally sneers as he applies more power into his leg-mounted jet boosters and breaks away from the rest.
"In your dreams, stupido!" The Kid replies and accelerates after Wally, who is already closing in on their target: the bridge made from a subway car.
"There it is!" Kuki shouts as Wally reaches the bridge first and flamboyantly lands on it, before The Kid.
"Gotcha, slowpoke!" Wally smirks at The Kid, who lands next to him and glares at the Australian.
"Hmph, I'll give you that one, but it won't happen again." he says coldly as Hoagie lands his Exo-Suit behind them and his passengers disembark.
"Stand back." Nigel says as he covers his hand with the Silhouette Suit and super-heats it, allowing him to cleanly cut a large hole into the roof the subway car and one by one, everyone follows him inside.
"We need to keep moving. The KND won't be far behind us. Numbuh 2, open that door. Numbuh 5, you and I are going in first. Numbuh 4, Numbuh 3, cover us. Commander, can you hold the rear with Agent Halcón?"
"Absolutely." Rachel nods and so does The Kid.
"Fine by me." Nigel nods back and gestures Hoagie to open the door to their left, the very same door Sector V walked through 3-years ago.
"Okay, here goes nothing…" Hoagie mutters and uses the Exo-Suit's brute strength to tear the door apart, allowing Abby and Nigel to go in, followed by Kuki and Wally, Hoagie himself and finally Rachel and The Kid. The hallway before them is empty and dark, with no sign of activity.
"Numbuh 5 is not likin' this…" Abby says as she readies her Stupefier Pistol while Nigel does the same.
"Be prepared for anything. This is a perfect place for an ambush." Nigel whispers to the others.
Then, Kuki sends out three ghost hamsters ahead of the team and soon, they report back. "My friends are saying the way to the jet-elevator is clear. No enemies."
"I see…don't get complacent." Nigel takes the lead and peaks around the corner, towards the bigger hallway to their right, where the high-speed elevator is located. Then, he notices a flash at the other end. "Incoming!" is all he's able to say before a powerful laser blast hits the wall next to him, throwing him to the floor while his team duck.
"Nigel!" Rachel shouts as Abby helps him up.
"You okay?"
"Ugh…yes, I'm fine. But it looks like they sent their strongest weapons against us." Nigel points to the hallway, where ten piloted L.O.C.K.A.H.S.O.C.K.A.'s have blocked the way to the elevator.
"Surrender, teenagers! No one is getting past us!" The pilot of the lead machine shouts, but their foes are not deterred.
"Oh, so they wanna get in our way huh? Then what are we waitin' for? Let's kick their butts already!"
"Wait, Numbuh 4! We can't go out there guns blazing."
"Huh?! Why the crud not?"
"Look over there!" Nigel points at the right-side wall of the hallway, which is made of framed glass. "An explosion here will send us all into the void. We'll need to take them out at close range."
"Hah, no problem! I like getting up close and personal anyway." Wally says and draws his heat-sword while Abby takes her own sword and holds it in a reverse grip.
"Let's just tear those things apart already. We got places to be, don't we?"
"I agree. We can't stop here." Rachel says as she draws her double-bladed lance and splits it into sword mode.
"Hmph, I prefer to keep my distance. So, you guys can have fun with those things, I'll cover ya from here." The Kid smirks and activates his rotary cannon while Kuki nods excitedly.
"I've got your back too!"
"Right. Then let's go! Charge!" Nigel shouts as he leads everyone around the corner, towards the four-armed mechs waiting for them.
"Hmph, they wanna attack us head-on? Fine, we won't lose to you teenagers!" the leader shouts and orders the L.O.C.K.A.H.S.O.C.K.A.H.'s to open fire, to the teenager's dismay.
"Don't they realize those lasers could blow a hole here?!" Nigel shouts as Wally charges ahead of the others, sword ready.
"Too bad their aim sucks!" he shouts and attacks the mech closest to him, slicing off it's arms with two well placed swings. "You cruddy punks aren't gonna stop us!" Wally lands on the machine's sealed canopy and uses it as a springboard to attack the mech behind it. But just as he's about to do so, the mech next to the one he disabled, swings its right arm towards him. However, before it hits, it's crushed by telekinetic force, thanks to Kuki.
"Guh! What was that?!" the surprised pilot shouts just as Abby lands on his canopy and slices it in half.
"It's time you kids cooled off!" she says coldly and stupefies the pilot before he can draw his side arm. "Ugh…that's somethin' Numbuh 2 would say…" Abby thinks as she turns her attention on the two machines standing at the other end of the hallway, ready to fire their cannons. "Oh no ya don't!" Abby somersaults to the floor and booster jumps forward, propelling herself towards the two L.O.C.K.A.H.S.O.C.K.A.H.'s. She is moving too fast for the pilots to react in time as Abby readies her white peppermint sword and spins as she flies past the mechs, slicing their left and right arm off respectively. Abby then spins once more, reversing direction and lands feet first against the wall behind the mechs, before bouncing up and using her grappling wires to tear off the mech's remaining arms. But as she lands, she hears a voice screaming at her.
"Behind you!" Abby looks over shoulder as a third L.O.C.K.A.H.S.O.C.K.A.H. appears from behind the corner, its cannons aimed at her. Then, the mech is slammed against the wall as Hoagie's Exo-Suit tackles it, knocking out the pilot. "You okay?"
"Fine, thanks to you, Numbuh 2." Abby nods as Hoagie stands his Exo-Suit up and Aby hops on it's back. "Let's give these sucka's a lesson."
"Got it." Hoagie replies and flies along the hallway, with Abby riding the Exo-Suit's back. Ahead of them are 2 L.O.C.K.A.H.S.O.C.K.A.H.'s that have begun firing towards Nigel. "YIIIHHAAAAH!" Hoagie screams as he tackles the mechs from behind while Abby jumps off and lands on the leader's mech.
"Huh?! Gah! Get off me!" the leader panics and tries to fire his cannons at point black range but Rachel slices them apart with her twin swords, allowing Abby to tear the canopy off but before she can stupefy the pilot, she notices the silver pistol in his uniform pocket.
"Eat this, teenager!" the leader pulls the pistol from his pocket but before he can pull the trigger, Nigel uses his telekinesis to wrestle the gun from him and destroy it with a burst of flame.
"Don't you dare point that thing at my team." he says coldly as Abby pulls the leader out of the mech's cockpit and throws him to the floor just as Wally and Rachel finish off the remaining L.O.C.K.A.H.S.O.C.K.A.H.'s.
"Get your hands off me, traitor!"
"Look who's talking. You're no better than the evil adults for using weapons like that." Rachel says as Abby holds the leader at gunpoint.
"It's the only way we kids can be free! You'll just keep oppressing us, no matter what we do!"
"Only evil adults and teenagers do that. Not everyone over thirteen is evil, kid." Abby snaps at the boy, who glares at her.
"Shu…shut up! You don't what it's like being…"
"WE DO! We all do. Everyone has been a kid once." Nigel tries to reason with the boy, but it's no use.
"Grr…SHUT UP!" the leader tries to attack, but Abby stupefies him in an instant.
"It's like they know nothing but hate…" Rachel laments as Wally and Hoagie clear away the wrecked machines.
"It's the only thing they have left. They were all wronged by adults and teenagers and driven to the brink. It all goes back to Father and people like him." Nigel clenches his fist as Rachel puts her hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, Numbuh 1. We've got more work to do."
"Yeah, I know. Let's go. The elevator will take us to the saucer." Nigel replies as Rachel contacts the Switchboard.
"This is Numbuh Epsilon. We've reached the jet-elevator. Override the controls so we can proceed." After a moment of silence, Numbuh Gamma replies.
"Alright Commander, the elevator's active again. You're free to move on. But be warned: The Splinter Cell are getting desperate. I've received reports of some agents being hit by Erasure weapons already. Be careful." Gamma's words only strengthen the team's resolve and Rachel's tone changes.
"We'll do just that. But we won't show mercy to them either. I'll see to it personally that Numbuh 1000 and the Splinter Cell will pay for what they've done."
"Understood. We'll monitor you from the Wild Child, Commander. Good luck." Numbuh Gamma ends the call as Rachel turns her gaze to the others.
"Is everyone ready? There's no turning back after this."
"We came here to kick their butts and that's what we're gonna do." Abby replies while Kuki and The Kid nod.
"They owe me big time. I'm not gonna let 'em get away." Wally cracks his knuckles while Hoagie also nods silently.
"We won't fail. Not after everything we've been through to get here." Nigel says as the elevator door opens.
"Okay. Then follow me." Rachel says and leads everyone into the elevator. As it ascends, everyone's thoughts are focused on only one thing: defeating the Splinter Cell, once and for all.
…
The battle for the Moonbase has taken a major turn. With the Computermabob under their control, the TND can now freely battle the Splinter Cell without worry of the internal defenses interfering. In space, the Space Fleet have reformed their battle line but are unable to attack the docked Wild Child, because they themselves have come under attack by both the TND's own ships and a contingent of 2x4 ships Angeline sent to aid in the battle. Trapped in the crossfire, the Space Fleet are unable to assist the Splinter Cell.
Meanwhile, inside the Moonbase, Fanny and Patton have been fighting against Numbuh 20.000 while the Combat Force battle his mind-controlled teenagers. Despite facing two opponents, Numbuh 20.000 shows no signs of fatigue and has held his own. "This is just like those sparring matches we had back in the KND, right, Numbuh 60?"
"That's ancient history, Numbuh 20.000. And this time, I'm not holding back!" Patton shouts and charges at his old comrade, his gauntlets ready to strike him.
"Hah-hah, I was the one holding back!" 20.000 counters with his own special weapons: gauntlets with hydraulic jackhammers covering his hands. He slams their blunt tips against Patton's gauntlets and the resulting impact knocks Patton backwards, leaving him wide open for a follow-up attack.
"Take a nap!" 20.000 aims the jackhammers at Patton's chest armor but Fanny intervenes with a jetboot-assisted sliding tackle.
"RAAAH!" she hits 20.000's legs, throwing him to the floor and allowing Patton to recover his stance. Fanny then gets up, draws her combat staff and presses a button on the handle, which activates two electrified maces at each end of the staff and points it at Numbuh 20.000. "I hope you're prepared, traitor! I'll smash your stupid face in!"
"Not likely!" Numbuh 20.000 hits his gauntlets against the steel floor, creating shockwaves that causes both of his foes to lose their balance. He then retracts his left gauntlet and dashes towards Fanny, his right gauntlet pulled back and ready to strike but Fanny reacts quickly: she splits the staff into two small maces and with all her strength, slams them against the jackhammer. The entire assembly area is enveloped in a bright flash as Fanny's maces make contact with Numbuh 20.000's gauntlet. Despite the light nearly blinding him, Numbuh 20.000 can see Fanny staring right at him, her eyes filled with rage.
"You and the Splinter Cell made me into a puppet! I'll never forgive ya!"
"You never could make the right choice when it mattered! We should've had your mind wiped before chipping you!" Numbuh 20.000 replies but this only infuriates Fanny even further as she applies more pressure against his gauntlet. "Gh…damn you…" he mutters and reactivates his left gauntlet but before he can hit Fanny in the face, a turquoise beam hits it, stupefying Numbuh 20.000's arm. "No!" he looks over his shoulder and sees Patton point his Stupefying rifle at him. "You…"
Seeing her chance, Fanny kicks Numbuh 20.000 in the chest plate, breaking the deadlock and then hits him again in the same spot with her maces. "GRRRAAAAHHH!" Fanny roars as she sends Numbuh 20.000 flying in a high arc, giving Patton the perfect chance to shoot him.
"Gh…no…not yet!" Numbuh 20.000 dodges the shot with his jetboots and lands in-front of the entrance that leads to the central shaft. He then frees his left arm using his right gauntlet while Patton and Fanny regroup. All three are exhausted from the fighting, especially Fanny and Patton, who've had to fight their way up from the secret hangar to this point without rest.
"How you holding up?"
"I could do this all day!" Fanny's reply causes Patton to chuckle as he readies his rifle.
"Hah-hah, that's what I like to hear. Let's take him down!"
"You two can't defeat me! I was the strongest fighter of our generation!"
"Yeah right! You never beat me or Numbuh 4!" Patton taunts Numbuh 20.000, angering him.
"Don't compare me to that brick-for-a-brain!" he shouts and prepares to create another shockwave, but Patton activates his shoulder-mounted Gatling laser cannons, unleashing a flurry of lasers at the former Security Officer, forcing him to evade backwards. Then, Numbuh 20.000 notices that Fanny has disappeared. "That trick won't work on me!" he lowers a pair of red-lensed goggles over his eyes and looks around, trying to locate Fanny while Patton slowly approaches him and continues to fire his Gatling lasers at him. "Gh…where are you?!" Numbuh 20.000 shouts in frustration as he is backed towards the entrance behind him.
"RIGHT HERE!" Fanny shouts as she flies straight at him. She had been hiding behind Patton and used his barrage to make Numbuh 20.000 think she had used her stealth cloak. Fanny is too fast for Numbuh 20.000 to react and she tackles him, sending them both flying through the entrance and the short corridor into the walkway crossing the shaft, with Patton right behind them.
"Grrr…let…go!" Numbuh 20.000 wrestles free from Fanny's grip and throws her across the walkway, but she rolls and gets up while Patton appears on the other side, his weapons aimed at Numbuh 20.000, who realizes he's cornered. He looks around as Fanny and Patton slowly approach him from both ends of the walkway.
"Give it up, ya Splinter Cell goon!"
"Surrender and face your judgement like a real operative."
"Hmph…I haven't lost yet!" 20.000 shouts and lifts his left-hand gauntlet up and hits the walkway, causing it to break from the side Patton is on, creating a 5-meter-long gap in the walkway. Numbuh 20.000 then flies over Fanny, lands right behind her, disarms her and takes her into a strangle hold from behind, wrapping his left arm over her neck.
"Guah…let go ya stupid…! Fanny struggles to free herself from his hold but then she feels a pistol barrel pointing against her right ear. On the other side of the broken walkway, Patton can clearly see what weapon Numbuh 20.000 is using. It's an Erasure pistol.
"Don't move!" Numbuh 20.000 shouts and puts his hand on the trigger.
"You bastard…if you pull that trigger, I'll throw you down the shaft!" An infuriated Patton shouts across the walkway but Numbuh 20.000's expression mocks him.
"Bark all you want; you can't do anything! I told you, I won't to lose this fight, no matter what! The Splinter Cell have come this far, and they won't be stopped now!"
"Do you really think wiping the minds all teenagers and adults is going to make world better? The Splinter Cell will turn on you too eventually!"
"I don't care! At least I'll know I made a difference, unlike you people! The adults always force us to do as we're told and wear clothes we don't like! They don't care about us unless we're of use to them! That's why Never Grow must succeed! And that means you'll all lose your memories! Starting with you, 86!"
"You're just angry your mommy made ya wear ugly clothes in elementary, ya idiot!" Fanny taunts Numbuh 20.000, who pushes the pointed barrel harder against her head.
"Gah, you talk too much."
"No!" Just as Patton is about to booster jump across the gap, Fanny fires flares from her backpack.
"What the…GUAH!" Still wearing his goggles, Numbuh 20.000 screams as the flares cause them to go haywire, blinding him. Fanny then elbows him, freeing herself from his grip, grabs the other mace on the floor and presses it against Numbuh 20.000, electrocuting him.
"RAAAARGH!" Patton roars as he flies across the gap and tackles the screaming Numbuh 20.000 to the floor, wrestling the pistol from his grip and throwing it down into the shaft.
"UAGH! It hurts! I can't see!" Numbuh 20.000 screams louder as Patton gets up and runs over to Fanny.
"That was way too close…he was really trying to erase you…" Fanny is taken aback by Patton's pained expression but keeps her composure.
"Ugh…quit worrying, will ya? I had it under control."
"Yeah…but still…" Patton says as they watch the helpless Numbuh 20.000 writhing on the walkway, trying remove the goggles from his face.
"ARGH! GET THESE THINGS OFF ME!" he shouts and then, manages to rip the off, along with his helmet but to his horror, he only sees white. "Huh…my eyes…MY EYES! I'M BLIND! NOOOO! MOM…MOM HELP ME!" he cries and screams in anguish, unable to see anything while his old comrades look on, feeling conflicted. While they despise him for what he's done, they can't help but feel pity towards him.
"…should we…help him…?" Patton mutters but Fanny doesn't answer. Then, they hear footsteps from the entrance behind the weeping Numbuh 20.000
"Huh? Numbuh Gamma?!" Patton shouts as the Intelligence Chief arrives, flanked by four guards.
"Well done, you two. We'll take it from here."
"What's gonna happen to him?"
"He'll be taken back to the ship for treatment and then we'll put him in a cell for questioning. But enough about that. You two should lead the Combat Force up to the saucer. The Commander and the others are already there and they could use your help."
"Uhm…right. Let's go, Fanny!"
"It's Numbuh Beta, ya nitwit!" Fanny shouts as they jump over the gap and run back to the assembly are while the guards restrain and cuff the shivering Numbuh 20.000. Numbuh Gamma then has him escorted through the other entrance but as he walks way, Numbuh Gamma begins to flicker and the disappears into thin air.
...
High up in the Moonbase's Command Deck, it's becoming increasingly clear to the Splinter Cell that they're on the brink of defeat. However, one person refuses to even imagine such thoughts: Numbuh 1000, also known as Caleb Centenar, the younger brother of former Supreme Leader Numbuh 100. Even if his subordinates are panicking, he still firmly believes that the Splinter Cell will succeed, despite the fact the Space Fleet is in disarray, their communication systems are down and the Super Big Computermabob is refusing to work. "If the situation gets any worse, I'll have to abandon the Moonbase as well. As long as I survive, Project: Never Grow won't fail."
"Sir?"
"If it's not about getting the systems back, I won't hear it, Numbuh 105."
"We've figured out why the systems aren't working…"
"Well?"
"It's been taken over…from the outside."
"WHAT?!" Numbuh 1000 jumps up and stares furiously at the Global Tactical Officer, who looks back with a grim expression. "Run that by me again. You are saying the Computermabob has been hijacked?!"
"Yes. The TND have gained access to it and have blocked us out. There are controlling all of the Moonbase's essential systems." he mutters as Numbuh 1000 stares blankly at his subordinates.
"How…HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! The Super Big Computermabob is the most secure computer in KND history! No one can break through its firewall! So how is it that a bunch of teenagers managed to it right under our noses?!"
"We'll gladly answer that question, Numbuh 1000!" a voice is heard from the saucer's right-side entrance, where Rachel, Sector V and The Kid have just arrived, their appearance shocking Numbuh 1000 and his followers.
"Nephew! How did you get here?!"
"I think Numbuh 105 over there said it already. We've taken control of the Moonbase's systems and that of course, includes all alarms." Nigel replies as Numbuh 1000 turns to face the teenagers, his eyes surging with disdain.
"You've got some nerve coming here but it's your last mistake! All troops, attack!" he shouts as every chipped operatives in the room, including Numbuh 1000's personal Teen Hunter Guards prepare to charge at Nigel and the others.
"Not going to happen! Numbuh Gamma, do it!" Rachel shouts through the communicator.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Suddenly, the chipped operatives begin twitching as faint smoke pours out of their necks. "Wha…what is happening?! Why aren't you moving?!"
"They…they've shut down the mind-control signal…" Numbuh 145 says in disbelief as Numbuh 1000 also realizes what happened.
"No!" but before he can do anything, Nigel appears behind him and violently pins him against the floor. "Guah! Let go of me, Nephew!" Numbuh 1000 struggles and orders the Splinter Cell-aligned operatives to help him but they are already being held at gunpoint.
"If you kids are smart, you'll drop your weapons and surrender. We ain't in the mood for game today." Abby intimidates Numbuh 105 and the other Splinter Cell operatives as the massive screen begins to flicker. Then, Angeline appears on it, and everyone's screens in the Moobase and Space Fleet's ships.
"It's over, Numbuh 1000!" she shouts just as the freed operatives come to and among them is Numbuh 81, Angeline's former liaison officer.
"Ugh…my head…wha…what's going on here?!" he looks around and first sees Numbuh 1000 being held on the floor by Nigel and then Angeline on the big screen. "Su…Supreme Leader!"
"Numbuh 81? I'm glad you're okay."
"Just what is going on here?! Why are the fugitives from Sector V here and why is Numbuh 1000 wearing your helmet?!"
"We'll tell you everything, and that includes every other mind-controlled operative here!" Angeline addresses the Moonbase and the Space Fleet. "You've all been under the Splinter Cell's mind-control for 2 months and the person responsible is Numbuh 1000. He tricked you all and turned you into slaves using those chips implanted into your necks!" Numbuh 81 and the rest look at their Supreme Leader in disbelief and then turn their gaze towards Numbuh 1000.
"Gah, don't believe her! These traitorous teenagers are trying to take over the Moonbase and Numbuh 78 is working with them!" his words confuse the operatives even further but then, Rachel steps forward.
"The Splinter Cell have been pulling the strings behind our backs since the days of Numbuh 100. They attacked the Science Fair, they framed Sector V and colluded with Father to achieve it. Numbuh 1000 was the one who personally let Father's forces inside the Moonbase. I can go on with the evidence. He even branded me and Numbuh 60 as enemies and captured decommissioned operatives and made them into puppets too."
"Lies! Don't believe these teenagers! They'll sell the KND to Father if you do that!"
"Like you sold us out 3 years ago!" Wally shouts furiously as Nigel presses Numbuh 1000 against the floor even harder. But the operatives are still conflicted.
"We…"
"Listen to me, Numbuh 81. What's the last memory you have?!"
"Uh…when Numbuh 1000 contacted the Moonbase and said…" Suddenly, Numbuh 81 remembers what Numbuh 1000 admitted to 2 months ago. "…that he…was the one responsible for bringing down the KND Global Communication Network!" he shouts and looks at Numbuh 1000, who continues to protest.
"No! Are you forgetting that teenagers are our enemy?!"
"Funny you should say, considering you're not much of a kid yourself." Nigel says coldly as Numbuh 1000's face becomes pale. "Oh yes, we know your little secret, Caleb. And I think we'll share it with the entire world, right here, right now."
"Ghh…I don't know what you're talking about!" Numbuh 1000 struggles but Nigel only applies more pressure.
"I admit, you were very thorough in covering your tracks, but you forgot to remove your hospital records, which were made by adults. No kid would think of digging through boring adult hospital records, but we teenagers had plenty of time while we hid from you."
"No…shut up!"
"Now, listen carefully!" Nigel addresses everyone, as the visual from the Command Deck is broadcast to every KND operative on the Moonbase, the Space Fleet and Earth. "For the last 3 years, Numbuh 1000 has been forging his age. He is not really turning 13 this year. He is actually turning 15!"
"15?! No cruddy way…" Wally says in disbelief while Kuki covers her mouth.
"That means…he's a teenager!" Numbuh 81 points at Numbuh 1000, who glares at Nigel over his shoulder but refuses to speak.
"We learned this only recently, but Numbuh 1000 suffers from growth hormone deficiency! Which means, you stopped growing since you were eleven." Nigel looks down at Numbuh 1000, who looks away, biting his lip. "Your condition could've been easy to treat, had your parents bothered to pay for the treatment. But they didn't, right?" Nigel eyes the silent Numbuh 1000 and continues. "They were too busy fawning over your brother to pay. After all, you are The Steve's younger brother." Numbuh 1000 clenches his fists and bites his lip but remains silent.
"Since you don't grow, you've been able to keep your real age well hidden, especially since you're with the Splinter Cell, so it was pretty easy to tamper with your personal file. Kind of reminds me of Numbuh 274, except you were never caught, unlike him. But the fact you're a teenager, makes you a hypocrite! You wish to mind-wipe all adults and teenagers and make a world exclusively for kids, even though you yourself are exactly what you've been preaching against. And you can't be in the Kids Next Door if you're a teenager. All this time you and the Splinter Cell have sown hate against the teenagers and adults, despite the fact the KND's Supreme Leader himself is one of us, a teenager!"
Nigel's revelation stuns everyone, especially the KND and some members of the Splinter Cell. "How…how many of you knew about this?!" Angeline shouts at Numbuh 105 and the other Splinter Cell members present on the Command Deck, but they refuse to open their mouths. "How can you follow someone who lies to you like this?!" she asks furiously but gets no response, but Numbuh 105 is the only one who does not like what he's heard. Then, seeing his chance, Numbuh 1000 manages to point his right index finger at Nigel's foot and fires a weak laser, but it's enough to make him let go of the Splinter Cell leader.
"Augh! Dammit!" Nigel exclaims as Numbuh 1000 gets up and jumps to the opposite side of the Command Deck. However, as he lands, he sees everyone pointing their weapons on him, apart from the disarmed Splinter Cell loyalists. "You won't get away! This ends today, Numbuh 1000!" Nigel shouts and aims his two Stupefiers at him, but Numbuh 1000 doesn't seem to be intimidated by this at all and stares back defiantly.
"It will end when all you teenagers and adults have been wiped out! I will let nothing stop Project: Never Grow, nothing!" he shouts and discards the leather glove on his right hand, revealing the P.O.W.U.H.-G.L.O.V.E. underneath it and immediately fires at the big screen, cutting off Angeline's broadcast before pointing the silver-colored gauntlet at Nigel and the others.
"You've lost already! All the operatives you controlled have been freed, the Space Fleet has surrendered and the Moonbase under our control! Stop this pointless fighting already!" Rachel shouts but Numbuh 1000 stands his ground and shakes his head.
"I haven't lost yet!"
"Why do you insist on wiping the minds of all adults and teenagers?! Just because your parents treated you badly and didn't cure your condition, doesn't mean you can make other people suffer!" Nigel takes a step forward but then, Numbuh 1000 begins to cackle.
"Gh-gh-hah-hah-hah!" his deranged laughter echoes in the Command Deck as he too takes a step forward. "Hah-hah…you think I'm doing this because of something like that? And that my condition is some sort of a…a liability?! Don't you see?! This condition is a blessing!"
"What?! How can you say that?!"
"Because it's true! I might've cursed it in the past, but then I realized, that now, I'll be able to be a kid forever! And who better to have such a blessing than me!"
"You're insane, Caleb! That condition will send you to an early grave if it's not treated!"
"Caleb Centenar doesn't exist anymore! He was erased along with everything from my past! I am Numbuh 1000, the Supreme Leader of the Kids Next Door, the one who will save the Earth from adult tyranny and the Keeper of the Book of KND!" Numbuh 1000 proclaims fanatically and pulls out the Book of KND from his trench coat pocket. "Even if you turn the whole world against me, as long as I have this, the KND will never be defeated!" While everyone else stares at him in stunned silence, Nigel activates his Silhouette Suit and takes another step forward.
"How dare you…call yourself that!" he snarls as he puts his hand into hits hoodie's hidden breast pocket and takes something from it. "I don't remember relinquishing my title to you!" he says and shows everyone the real Book of KND. "I would never let someone like you have this, that my father, Numbuh Zero passed onto me!"
"Hah, as if I'd believe you for a second! That is a forgery and besides, you lost the right to carry the book when you betrayed the KND 3 years ago!"
"We never betrayed the Kids Next Door. You and the Splinter Cell framed us! We lost everything because of you!" Abby shouts as she and the rest of Sector V stand by Nigel's side.
"We had to go through hell cause of you cruddy freaks!" Wally shakes his fist at Numbuh 1000, who grasps the book tight.
"Blame your leader for that! If he had agreed to Numbuh 74.239's proposal 3 years ago, we wouldn't have had to deal with you!"
"So you admit to framing to us huh? It's too late for that now! You won't get any mercy from us!" Hoagie says and activates his Exo-Suit, forcing Numbuh 1000 step back.
"As if I would've ever joined the Splinter Cell! You represent everything we fought against! You are no better than the evil adults, Caleb!"
"Do not use that name! Enough! It's time I taught you teenagers a lesson!" Numbuh 1000 removes left glove and reveals a second silver-colored P.O.W.U.H.-G.L.O.V.E. underneath it. "You think you're the only ones who upgraded their weaponry?! Well, you're dead wrong!" Numbuh 1000 throws away his trench coat, unveiling a silver-colored backpack made of steel on his back and presses the two red buttons on the shoulder straps, causing a bright flash which engulfs the Command Deck for a second. As the light fades away, everyone sees a large, adult-height Exo-Suit standing before them, with Numbuh 1000 controlling it. His confident smirk is clearly visible from behind the machine's head-mounted clear visor. "Behold! The Kids Next Door P.O.W.U.H.- S.U.I.T.! A weapon fitting for the savior of all kids! And now, you'll feel it's power firsthand!" he immediately fires the suit's left-hand finger-mounted laser guns at everyone on the Command Deck, forcing them to seek cover.
"TEENS NEXT DOOR, BATTLE STATIONS!" Nigel shouts as he leads Sector V against Numbuh 1000's new weapon, which is twice as tall as Hoagie's Exo-Suit.
"You don't stand a chance! This suit is based on combat data we gathered from you! Nothing you do can harm it! And here's another surprise for you!" Four large containers fall from the Command Deck's ceiling, transforming into four-armed, pilot-less L.O.C.K.A.H.S.O.C.K.A.H.'s.
"Oh great, more of these cruddy things!" Wally exclaims as the machines form a wall in-front of Numbuh 1000's Exo-Suit.
"They're just obstacles on our way, break through them!" Nigel shouts and rips the first mech into pieces with his telekinesis and flies towards Numbuh 1000. "You won't beat us, Numbuh 1000! We've come too far to lose now!" Nigel fires a scorching stream of flames from his hands, but it has no effect on the silver-colored machine.
"I told you! You can't touch me!" Numbuh 1000 fires his finger lasers at Nigel, who is forced to dodge and fly around the suit just as Abby joins the fray but when she tries to slash the machine's right leg, her sword doesn't even dent it.
"Huh?!"
"It's useless! Nothing can stop my P.O.W.U.H.-S.U.I.T.!" Numbuh 1000 turns his attention to Abby and tries to grab her but then, Hoagie tackles him at full speed.
"How about this?!" he grapples the bigger Exo-Suit and applies maximum thrust while The Kid jumps on his back and fires his rotary laser cannon at point-blank range.
"Gah! Damn, this is thing is laser proof!" he shouts and gets off as Hoagie pushes the machine back with everything his Exo-Suit has.
"Grr…you're annoying me!" Numbuh 1000 takes hold of Betsy MK II Custom and throws it across the Command Deck, smashing it against the wall.
"Uargh!" Hoagie groans as he is knocked around in the cockpit.
"Numbuh 2! Damn you!" Abby shouts and attacks Numbuh 1000 at close-range, trying to find weak spot in the armor. "Numbuh 3! Hold this thing down so I can cut him up!"
"Okay!" Kuki replies, having destroyed two L.O.C.K.A.H.S.O.C.K.A.H.'s by herself, and takes hold of the suit with telekinesis, halting it's movement.
"Gah! You damn teenager!" Numbuh 1000 shouts as Abby lands on the machine's back and strikes it repeatedly, but once again, her sword does nothing against the gleaming silver surface.
"Wait a minute…this thing's got an energy shield on it!"
"Great observation, traitor!" Then, Numbuh 1000 looks across the Command Deck, towards his disarmed followers. "Don't just stand there! Fulfill your duty to our cause!" Responding to his call, three of the Splinter Cell loyalists: Numbuh 145, Numbuh 777 and Numbuh 25, reveal their own, silver-colored Battle-Ready Armor of the same type worn by the Teen Hunters and attack Kuki.
"No, you cruddy don't!" Wally shouts and protects Kuki from their lasers with his shields, but the diversion was enough for Kuki to lose her concentration for a second, allowing Numbuh 1000 to move once more.
"Good! Keep them busy. That's the reason I gave those to you in the first place!" he smirks and takes off using the machine's leg-mounted thrusters, but Nigel is having none of it.
"No more running, you coward!" Nigel flies after him and using both his momentum and his telekinesis, rams the P.O.W.U.H.-S.U.I.T. from behind.
"GUAH!" Numbuh 1000 screams as both he and Nigel flies through an armored emergency door and into the corridor behind it. As Nigel gets up first, he can see where Numbuh 1000 was aiming: the high-speed emergency elevator that can go to any part of the Moonbase. "You…You're a damned pest, Nephew!" Numbuh 1000 stands his suit upright and tries to hit Nigel, but he turns himself intangible and strikes the suit's chest with a flame and telekinesis enhanced punch, which causes the silver armor to warp and deform and Numbuh 1000 fails to realize, that his energy shield shuts down as well. "Grr…NO!" Numbuh 1000 grabs Nigel and throws him across the hallway like rag doll, slamming him against the elevator's door with such force that the doors deform.
"Urgh…no…not yet…" Nigel groans as he realizes he's hit his limit and the Silhouette Suit fades away. Struggling to get back up on his feet, he sees Numbuh 1000's Exo-suit approaching him, it's chest plate showing the imprint of Nigel's fist.
"You've been a torn in my side long enough, Nephew! It's your fault everything turned out like this! We could've been allies you know? You had a real reason to hate adults, since Father is your uncle! But no, you chose to side with those who want live in "harmony and peace" with the adults!"
"Ugh…that's because the Kids Next Door fights against evil adults…unlike you…I love my parents, no matter what. I couldn't…imagine a world without them…" Nigel says while holding his side before he is violently grabbed by Numbuh 1000 and lifted off his feet.
"Do you? Well, let me tell you something. I'll let them watch as I wipe your mind! Just like I did with The Steve!"
A chill runs down Nigel's spine as he realizes what Numbuh 1000 means. "No…you didn't…?!"
"Oh yes I did! I can still remember their screams as their precious little boy forgot them right before their eyes! And then, I erased them too!"
"You…you erased your entire family?! You monster…" Nigel grits his teeth as unimaginable anger begins to well inside him.
"The Kids Next Door is the only family I need! We don't need adults and teenagers in this world and that includes you!"
"You damn hypocrite! You're a teenager yourself!"
"No, I'll never be a teenager! I'll never have to grow up because I was blessed!" Nigel finally comes to realization that there is no way reason with Numbuh 1000, as he is clearly beyond insane but before he can say anything, Numbuh 1000 lifts him even higher and looks him directly in the eye, his madness shining through them.
"The more I look at you, it's becoming clearer to me that your kind aren't needed in the utopia I will create! So, I'll have your parents and your teammates join you in the afterlife instead!" Numbuh 1000 rips the elevator doors open and throws Nigel down into the dark shaft. "…and so, ends the story of Nigel Uno." Numbuh 1000 says coldly but just as he is about to press the elevator button, it is destroyed by a heat-laser shot. "What the…?!" he looks to his right and sees Wally and Abby standing at the other end of the hallway, the two having just witnessed what Numbuh 1000 did.
"Nigel…" Abby stares blankly at the Splinter Cell leader as Wally shakes from rage.
"…you…you…YOU BASTARD!" Wally roars as Abby boosters jumps forward and fires two M.A.R.B.L.E.'s at Numbuh 1000's head, stunning him and giving Abby the chance to dive down into the shaft after Nigel while an enraged Wally grabs his Accelerator Rifle and without hesitation, fires the weapon at Numbuh 1000, who counters with a combined laser shot from his finger-guns. The moment the shell and the laser blast make contact, the corridor is engulfed in a massive explosion. It fills the Command Deck with dust, smoke and debris and through it all, Numbuh 1000's Exo-Suit appears but before he can get his bearings, Wally appears above him, sword over his head.
"You'll pay for that!" Wally slashes the suit's back, causing sparks and faint smoke to spew out of it.
"Damn you, Matador!" Numbuh 1000 shouts as Wally lands and regroups with the remaining members of Sector V, Rachel and The Kid, who easily subdued the three loyalists.
"Where's Nigel?!" Rachel asks as Wally points at Numbuh 1000 angrily.
"That bastard threw him down the elevator shaft and Numbuh 5 went after him." his friends look at the deranged Splinter Cell leader and instead of getting distraught, they turn their fury on him.
"Then we'll give him the same treatment!" Hoagie shouts and charges ahead with his own Exo-Suit, followed by The Kid, who scans the P.O.W.U.H.-S.U.I.T., identifying the weak spot in the chest.
"Hey Gilligan, give him a good punch in the chest for me too!"
"You got it!" Hoagie replies and strikes Numbuh 1000's suit in the chest with Betsy MK II Custom's massive arms, knocking him off his feet.
"Uargh! Urgh…you damn traitors never know to quit!" Numbuh 1000 replies as he gets up, but he is immediately blasted backwards by Kuki's telekinetic pulse, followed by Wally and Rachel slashing the suit with their swords once more, causing damaged area to grow.
"Like Numbuh 1 would say: We never quit!" Rachel replies and impales the suit's left shoulder from the front but Numbuh 1000 fires the suit's finger lasers again. However, Hoagie jumps in the way and uses his Exo-Suit's palms to block the lasers and then presses them against the still firing barrels, his own suit's laser immunity causing the fingers to explode.
"No!" Numbuh 1000 shouts in disbelief as he tries in vain to fire again but then realizes he no longer has any long-range weapons at his disposal. "Grr…fine! I'll pummel you to submission!" he exclaims and attacks the teens at close-range.
Meanwhile, Abby flies down the seemingly endless shaft, trying find Nigel. Despite fearing the worst, she keeps telling herself she'll see Nigel hanging somewhere in the shaft.
"Come on Nigel…where are ya?! I swear I'll skin that punk if you're…" The further down she goes, the chances of finding Nigel in one piece only become slimmer and tears start forming in her eyes. Then, she sees a faint blue light in the darkness below her. "Huh?! Nigel? NIGEL!" she shouts and flies towards the light but then, her joy turns to horror as she sees Nigel, cloaked in dark blue flames, ascending rapidly up the shaft. "Oh no…Nigel!" her words go on deaf ears as Nigel flies past her, leaving a scorching trail behind him. Realizing what's about to happen, Abby stops and accelerates after him, knowing full well what Nigel is about to do.
End of Transmission 47
Note: Oh boy, one more chapter to go before the 4th story arc is over! I was really looking forward to writing the climax, as it was something I had been planning in my head while I was writing the first draft of this story back in 2016. Now, if you had trouble figuring out what Numbuh 1000 Exo-Suit looked like exactly, it's basically the Destroyer from the first Thor movie, except instead of a hollowed out head, it's got his face sticking out of it.