Phase 5: Kids Next Door Forever
The unthinkable has happened.
With the Splinter Cell no longer in control of the KND,
Father has finally succeeded in defeating the Kids Next Door by Delightfulizing every child on Earth.
Only the crew of the TND's carrier Wild Child and the few KND operatives who stayed on the Moonbase are left,
but without communications and their members exhausted from the battle with the Splinter Cell, the survivors are trapped inside the damaged Moonbase.
Amongst all this, Sector V must come to terms with themselves and their past, as the final battle against Father awaits.
Transmission 50: I am Gamma
"Come on, get to work, people! We don't know when Father decides to pay us a visit, so we gotta get everything fixed ASAP!" The Scottish Numbuh Omicron shouts over the Wild Child's intercom as the Science Section and Armory Section spread throughout the Moonbase to assess the damage done the C.L.A.M.M.A.H.- Array attack. Down in the carrier's infirmary, Numbuh Gamma goes to the Special Ward, where former Numbuh 23, Virginia Sims as being held.
"Numbuh Gamma? Sir, what are you doing here?" The startled chief doctor, Numbuh Mu asks.
"I came to take the earring to the Test Hangar."
"But didn't Numbuh Omicron say that it's irradiated and no one was allowed to take it?"
"Yes, I am aware. Even slight exposure to Erasure radiation could affect my memory, but Numbuh Omicron has his hands full with the repairs, so I'm doing this in his stead."
"Alright. Follow me."
"Also, we should allow Virginia Sims to join the others. We've finished with the tests, right?"
"Yes. But I'm not sure if she can adapt..."
"Then I suggest we have her join Numbuh Lambda's team. She worked with him in the KND, so it should help her get used to the TND."
"Wait, are you saying we're letting her join the TND?"
"Right now, we need all the help we can get and I doubt she'll refuse."
"I see...very well, I'll go talk to her."
"Good. I'll take the earring to Numbuh Omicron." Numbuh Gamma salutes the blond-haired chief doctor and heads to a room with big caution sign on it. Inside the dimly lit room, is a sealed container on top of a table. Numbuh Gamma closes the door behind him and his right hand starts shining brightly before he opens the container and gently takes the earring with his right hand. As he looks at the glowing gold trinket, his expression becomes serious. "I should've known...this shouldn't have been possible with current KND technology. You handed them our technology...dammit...that means you were supported by the Supreme Leader themself all along." Numbuh Gamma puts the earring back into the container and vanishes from the room.
...
The rest of the day goes by slowly. Under Rachel's command, the TND and the KND begin working together to restore the Moonbase's systems and repair the damage it has sustained. Wally, The Kid and Keith are helping with moving material around the hangar floor. However, the duo turn the simple task into a competition to decide who can carry more further and faster, while Keith has to judge them. The girls have also joined in on the repair effort apart from Rachel, who has gone to the Switchboard to plan with Herbie, Numbuh Gamma and Numbuh 81, who speaks to them through a video link. Nigel however has kept to himself, trying to make sense of his conflicted thoughts.
"So, we've lost all communications with Earth, is that right?"
"Yes, Commander. Father managed to sever all of them when he hacked into the Super Big Computermabob. That includes the KND satellite network. As it stands, we are completely isolated from the Earth."
"Dammit…and that means our allies on Earth are…"
"Most likely they've been Delightfulized or have gone in to hiding. Father did say he knows the locations of all TND bases on Earth…" Numbuh Gamma says to Rachel, who hits her seat's armrest.
"No…is there really nothing we can do?"
"Not at the moment. The Moonbase and the Gihugeacarrier have sustained severe damage and I don't think we can fix them any time soon. I recommend we wait until the repairs are done, then we can start planning what to do next."
"Besides, Commander, we're still recovering from the battle with the Splinter Cell."
"I know, Numbuh Iota-3…I just don't like this waiting…it makes me feel useless…"
"Don't worry, we'll do our best to get the Moonbase in shipshape!" Numbuh 81 says through the video link but it doesn't lift Rachel's spirits at all.
"I'm glad you haven't lost hope at least…"
"Hope is something we can't lose, no matter what, Commander." Numbuh Gamma's words surprise Rachel, who remembers she heard someone say those words to her in the past.
"I know that, Numbuh Gamma…that's what my mentor said to me when I was just a cadet…"
"Oh…I see…" Numbuh Gamma clears his throat as Rachel stands up and contacts Numbuh Omicron, who is leading the repairs from the command booth of the Moonbase's main hangar.
"Numbuh Omicron?"
"Yes, Ma'am?"
"How long until the repairs are finished?"
"We've barely even started yet, Commander. The hangar door's frame is cracked, the sub-generator floor is filled with Deodo-radiation and the carrier's engines are in a bazillion pieces, just to name a few problems. It'll take us 2 to 3 days to get everything fixed, if we don't sleep."
"I'm not asking for a miracle, Numbuh Omicron, but we don't know when Father is going to attack us directly and I don't want to be taken by surprise again."
"We're doin' everything we can. It'd be easier if the KND helped us more. They're refusing to work in the same areas as us."
"Leave that to Numbuh 81. He'll make them cooperate, right?" Rachel looks over her shoulder towards Numbuh 81's screen.
"I'll talk to them! I promise."
"Good, see that you do. The last thing we need is a revolt…"
"I won't let you down, Supreme Leader Numbuh 362!" Numbuh 81 salutes Rachel and shuts off the video link as Rachel frowns.
"They still treat me like I'm the Supreme Leader…" she laments as Herbie stands up from his seat.
"We all do. You were the best Supreme Leader we could've asked for."
"Thanks, Iota-3…I guess I can't escape from that title any time soon." Rachel says and turns her attention to Numbuh Gamma. "I think you can already guess what I'm going to ask, right?"
"Yes, I know. Let's meet in the Supreme Leader's quarters in two hours. But I'll decide who'll attend it. This matter is not for everyone's ears."
"Very well. In the meantime, I want you and Numbuh Iota-3 to check our computer system and see how bad the damage is. I want a thorough list of all information that was exposed to Father."
"Yes, Ma'am." Herbie and Numbuh Gamma salute Rachel, who walks out of the Switchboard and goes to the Commander's quarters to rest. As she lies on the bed, tears start forming in her eyes as the gravity of the situation finally hits her.
"What do we do…I wish you were here, Eliza…you'd know the answer…dammit…"
…
Then, the time arrives and select members are called to the saucer. First to arrive are Wally, Hoagie, The Kid and Keith. Soon, Patton joins them and notices that Wally and The Kid are
"What's up with you two?"
"They had a competition in the hangar, mon."
"And the stupid pilot over there didn't know when to give up." A visibly exhausted Wally glares at The Kid, who laughs mockingly, despite being equally worn out.
"Hah, you just don't wanna admit I beat ya back there."
"No way, I carried more in haft the time it took ya to do the same!"
"Yeah right, Beetles." The Kid hits back at Wally, who only gets angrier.
"You're a cruddy sore loser!"
"Look who's talkin'."
"Oh man, it's like we've gone back 4 years." Keith nudges Hoagie, who looks over his shoulder and sighs.
"You said it. Except now it's with The Kid instead of Numbuh 20.000…" Upon hearing the former Security Chief's name, Patton becomes silent and slows down.
"Hmm? What's up, mon?" Keith asks as Patton looks to his right, towards the glass window that runs along the circumference of the saucer.
"I just don't get it…why the heck did he have to betray us…" Patton says as he vividly remembers the screaming, crying figure of a blinded Numbuh 20.000.
"You could ask that about any of those Splinter Cell guys. They had their reasons…" Hoagie replies as Keith frowns angrily.
"He was the guy who oversaw all the prisoners gettin' Erased and chipped. Dat guy didn't even twitch…I say he was sick in da head, mon." he mutters while Wally clenches his fists.
"That cruddy bastard. He was in cahoots with those Splinter Cell freaks even before that treaty thing."
"No way, you're saying he joined them 4 years ago?"
"Yeah, Numbuh 2. I heard it myself. The punk gloated about it when we attacked the Defense Bridge."
"Oh, that's just twisted, mon. He was tricking us the whole time, just like the rest of dem." Keith shakes his head in disapproval while Patton feels conflicted. He had joined the KND at the same time as 20.000 and they had been both rivals and good friends and brothers in arms, along with Wally. The trio along with Nigel where not called the strongest all-round fighters in the KND for nothing. Even though 20.000's betrayal had made him despise the former SKWID leader deeply, he still felt pity for him when 20.000 laid there on the walkway, screaming in pain. Then, Patton is snapped back to his senses when the guys hear familiar voices behind them.
"Hey, what the heck ya standin' there for?" Fanny shouts, followed by Kuki, Abby, Sonia and Lee.
"Nothing…" Patton replies coldly as he walks past the boys.
"What's his deal?" Abby asks Hoagie, who looks on as Patton goes ahead of them.
"We were talking about Numbuh 20.000." Hoagie says silently and steps away from Abby.
"Oh...right." she replies as the group head towards the Supreme Leader's quarters. There, they are greeted by two TND guards, who open the armored door for them, Inside, Rachel, Numbuh 81, Numbuh Gamma, Herbie, Numbuh Omicron and a despondent Nigel are waiting. His teammates immediately come to his side.
"Numbuh 1, you okay?"
"It's not important now." Nigel brushes Abby's concerns aside and turns his attention to a stern Numbuh Gamma. "We're here, Numbuh Gamma. As you requested."
"Yes…then let us begin…" Everyone can sense faint hesitation in his voice but then, Sonia, holding a crutch, puts her hand up.
"Uhm…is it really okay for us to be here? We're not offically with the TND…" she asks cautiously while pointing at Lee and Numbuh 81, who also becomes curious.
"Numbuh 83 is right. We're still under 13, so I'm not sure this has anything to do with us."
"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't reveal this to anyone without permission, but that doesn't apply anymore. As the most senior KND operative left, you must be present, Numbuh 81 and as for Numbuh Chi-3 and Chi-4, you are witnesses. Now, with that out of the way, I believe we should sit down first, as this will take a while."
"Then let's go to the other side. There's plenty of seats there." Rachel says and presses a red button on the wall to their right, which opens the wall and reveals the living room behind it.
"I forgot that was still there…" Nigel mutters as Rachel leads everyone inside and they sit down where they can. Wally sits down on a sofa and Kuki jumps down next to him while Hoagie sits on an easy chair and so do Abby, Numbuh 81, Patton, Numbuh Omicron and Herbie. Rachel sits down on the sofa opposite to Wally and Kuki while Fanny sits on Patton's armrest. Nigel refuses to sit and stands behind Rachel's sofa while The Kid leans against a pillar behind Wally and Kuki's sofa and Sonia and Lee sit on the floor between the sofas. Finally, Numbuh Gamma sits on the seat designated for the Supreme Leader and stares sternly at the floor, before takin a deep breath and turning his gaze at everyone else.
"Now, before I start, I want you all to promise me that you won't reveal this to anyone. I'm already risking a lot by telling this you, but it's a necessary risk."
"We won't tell anyone. No matter what." Rachel replies while the others nod.
"Whatever it is, your secret is safe with us." Numbuh Omicron says as Numbuh Gamma adjusts the collar of his white trench coat and leans against his knees with his elbows.
"Thank you. Now, I'll start from the beginning. Numbuh Gamma is not my real codename. It is a pseudonym I've used since I arrived here. My real codename is Numbuh S-26. I am a member of the Galactic Kids Next Door sent here on behalf of my comrade, the GKND's Earth Operative, Numbuh Delta." Gamma says sternly as he sees everyone's confused expressions.
"Galactic? What's that supposed to mean?" Patton lifts an eyebrow while Nigel crosses his arms.
"Are you saying you're not…from Earth?" his direct question takes even Numbuh Gamma by surprise, who has to adjust his posture slightly.
"That is correct."
"Wait, you mean you're an alien?! That's preposterous."
"It is the truth, Numbuh Omicron. Yes, intelligent life exists on other planets as well, so you earthlings are equally alien to me."
"Wow…we've been working with a real alien…" Kuki whispers to a speechless Wally while Rachel leans forward and looks Numbuh Gamma in the eye.
"That explains why none of us had met you before…then what is the Galactic Kids Next Door?"
"It is the mother organization to all KND's branches across the galaxies. We govern over the KND's of different planets and systems in our universe-wide mission to defeat adult tyranny…or at least I hope so…" Nigel notices slight hesitation in Gamma's voice and latches onto it.
"'Hope'? What do you mean?"
"Sorry, I got ahead of myself. Now, the existence of the GKND is a well-kept secret, that not even the Supreme Leaders are aware of. Instead, each planet is assigned observers, who monitor the planet and relay information back the GKND. Each planet is also represented by a single operative, chosen through a rigorous process and only the best are even considered for it."
"Are you an observer?" Hoagie asks but Numbuh Gamma shakes his head.
"No, my mission is different but to explain it, we'll need to go back many years. 9 years ago, the GKND rotated their old observers out and replaced them with 3 new ones. Each was given a specific mission which they had to accomplish: Their leader was given the task of gathering intelligence from within the Earth's KND and blend in among them. You know him as Numbuh Infinity." Once again, Numbuh Gamma's words shock everyone.
"Numbuh Infinity was an alien too? Unbelievable…" Herbie says while Nigel hits his hands together.
"Of course! That explains his actions during the treaty incident…and the way he disappeared. I take it he succeeded in his mission then?"
"Yes, he did. The second member was given the task of observing the Earth's KND from the outside, acting as an elementary school student. This task was given to Numbuh Vine. Her other mission was to find suitable operatives to go through the Earth Representative selection process and she found many promising ones. However, ultimately, the primary candidate refused. That operative, was you, Numbuh 1."
"WHAAAAAAA?!" Nigel's teammates shout at the same time and even Rachel jumps up from the sofa while Nigel stares at Numbuh Gamma in disbelief.
"Nu…Numbuh 1 got chosen?! Wow…this is getting too crazy for me…" Hoagie shakes his head.
"Tell me about it…but ya know, if anyone woulda been picked, it was gonna be you 100%, Numbuh 1." Abby gestures to Nigel, who crosses his hands once more.
"That's quite the statement…but it doesn't make sense, you told us the Splinter Cell tried to recruit me."
"Yes, that I did. And in a way, it was the Splinter Cell. You see, to cover our tracks, we used the name Splinter Cell to divert people's eyes away from any activities that would risk exposing the GKND."
"Then what about the Splinter Cell we've been fighting all this time?"
"I'll get to that later, Numbuh Beta."
"So why was I chosen?"
"Because of your unwavering loyalty to the KND. No matter what the test threw at you, you remained steadfast in your belief in the KND. There was also the fact Numbuh Zero was your father, which already made you a person of interest. Simply put, you were the best suited for the role."
"I see…" Nigel replies silently as Numbuh Gamma continues.
"As I was saying, Numbuh Vine observed you very closely, to the point that she became a member of your circle of friends. Have you already figured out who I'm referring to?" Numbuh Gamma looks sharply at Nigel, who's eyes widen as he connects the dots.
"…Lizzie…" Nigel mutters as he remembers the time, he spent with Lizzie all those years ago.
"So, when ya said she was spyin' on him, it wasn't for the Splinter Cell? Ya knew who she really was this whole time?!" Abby becomes agitated as Numbuh Gamma nods apologetically.
"I'm sorry, but I had to cover up her real identity. Back when I told you about the Splinter Cell, I hadn't thought things would go the way it did, so I made up a cover story. Please understand, the GKND's existence is confidential." Before Abby can say anything, Nigel interrupts her and speaks up.
"I understand. I would've done the same in your position. No one here has any right to judge you."
"I agree with Numbuh 1, speaking as a former spy myself." Rachel says and looks at the others, who calm down, while Abby crosses her arms and frowns. Then, Numbuh Gamma sighs from relief.
"Thank you. Yes, Numbuh Vine was Lizzie Devine and it was thanks to her field work that you were chosen for the process, Numbuh 1. However, after the scavenger hunt, you refused to join, citing the fact you could not part from your team and that you had unfinished business on Earth."
"And the GKND wiped my memories of the event, right?"
"Indeed, along with those of your teammates, who were also present. When you refused, it caused quite a lot trouble for the GKND, since they now needed to select someone else. However, the new representative was quickly found and he joined the GKND shortly after."
"You're talking about that Numbuh Delta you mentioned earlier?"
"Yes, Numbuh Epsilon, and before you ask, I'm not at liberty to say what Delta's real identity is. I'm already revealing too much as is."
"Who was the third observer then?" Numbuh Omicron asks and Numbuh Gamma's expression becomes serious again.
"…his mission was to covertly advance the Earth KND's 2x4 technology, to increase their chances of fighting adult tyranny. After all, Earth is the home of Grandfather and Father, villains considered galactic-level threats by the GKND. However, the observer took matters into his own hands. I think you all know by now who he is." Only one name pops up into everyone's minds and Rachel says it out-loud.
"Numbuh 74.239." she says grimly and Numbuh Gamma nods.
"Correct. Back when he was assigned to Earth, he was a low-ranked member of the Galactic Science Division but his intellect allowed him to quickly become the head of the Earth KND's own Science Division."
"Wait, so if he was with the Galactic KND, then what about the Splinter Cell?" Hoagie asks as Numbuh Gamma looks at the floor grimly.
"It was created by Numbuh 74.239 almost immediately when he arrived on Earth. However, he was merely a lackey himself. You see, 9 years ago, there was an internal power struggle within the GKND, between the Moderates, who only wanted to fight against evil adults and the Radicals, who wished to eradicate all adults and teenagers across the galaxy. Back when the observers arrived on Earth, the so-called Radical Faction was very small but Numbuh 74.239 just happened to be a member of that faction and he had been given the mission of making Earth an example of a planet suffering from the disease of adulthood, to give support to their cause. It wasn't difficult to find kids who had suffered at the hands of the adults, especially from within the KND and thus, he formed a branch of the Radical Faction on Earth you call, the Splinter Cell. So, in essence, there were two Splinter Cells. One was a cover name and the other was the real one, an extension of the Radical GKND, pulling the strings from behind the scenes, trying to steer the KND along their desired path." Numbuh Gamma's revelation fills the room with silence, as everyone tries to come to grips with what he has just said.
"That's a lot to take in…"
"I couldn't have said it any better, Numbuh 2." Numbuh Omicron says silently as Numbuh 81 shakes his head in disbelief.
"So, he was the one who recruited Numbuh 1000 and made him do all those terrible things."
"No doubt about it, Numbuh 81. Like you said, Numbuh Gamma, Numbuh 1000 wouldn't have been hard to persuade to join them." Rachel says and looks at Numbuh Gamma.
"No. Numbuh 1000 was the perfect choice to continue the Radical Faction's mission, Project: Never Grow. And thus, they framed your Sector and removed you from the KND, so they could assume full control."
"Then where do you come in?" Patton asks as Numbuh Gamma lifts his head.
"My Sector was assinged to the Galactic Intelligence Division shortly after Numbuh Delta joined us. However, Delta didn't trust Numbuh 74.239 and he shared his doubts with me. Things became even more suspicious when Numbuh 74.239 was suddenly promoted to second-in-command of the Galactic Science Division. There was also the fact that replacement observers weren't sent to Earth after he, Infinity and Vine returned, yet the GKND where still receiving periodic reports. So, I volunteered to come to Earth and investigate on behalf of Numbuh Delta. And when I came here, I confirmed our worst fears: the Splinter Cell were controlling the KND from the shadows and Father was only increasing his influence. After a discussion with Numbuh Delta, we agreed that something had to be done. That's when Delta told me to seek out a third party, someone which neither the KND nor Father were aware of."
Suddenly, Abby snaps her fingers. "The Teen Spies!"
"Correct. Delta helped me to get in contact with one of their former comrades, who also happened to be a Teen Spy. You all knew him as Numbuh 9, or just Maurice."
"Then…you and Maurice formed the Teens Next Door?"
"Indeed, Numbuh Epsilon. He was the only human on Earth who knew my identity and my mission. He of course agreed to help immediately and we began by re-forming the Teen Spies into a more coherent force. I had to lend some GKND technology so we could rebuild the Recommissioning Module, which allowed us to recruit former operatives. Numbuh Sigma personally picked most of them, including you two, Numbuh Omicron and Numbuh Iota-3. Numbuh Alpha was already a Teen Spy, so she joined naturally. However, we couldn't approach neither Sector V or you three." Numbuh Gamma points at Rachel, Patton and Fanny, who start feeling uncomfortable, as they are reminded of their roles as Teen Hunters.
"Makes sense…we were too busy with our 'mission'…" Rachel mutters and clenches her fists.
"Numbuh Sigma was adamant we needed both you three and Sector V on our side if we wanted to fight both the Splinter Cell and Father. So, when you broke out of the Arctic Prison and escaped, he sought you out and thankfully, managed to recruit you, along with Numbuh Epsilon and Zeta."
"Man, that sounds just like him. Maurice always had a plan for everythin'." Abby says with a faint smile.
"And you all know the rest. There is also another reason why I'm on Earth: A galactic-level villain had escaped from the GKND's High-Security Void Prison and it is believed this villain is hiding on Earth. That's my official reason for coming here."
"Who is this villain?" Nigel asks.
"I don't know much about them, except they're from the same planet as me and is considered equally powerful or even stronger than Father."
"That doesn't sound good…have you been able to find them?" Nigel asks but Numbuh Gamma shakes his head.,
"No…even with the TND's vast information network, it's been an impossible task. Not helping the matter is the fact they are a Luminosian like myself."
"What do you mean?" Rachel asks and Numbuh Gamma points at the birthmark on his forehead.
"Luminos is my home planet. Our bodies are made of solid light and we are able shape-shift into almost anything. That's why I've been able to blend in among you humans."
"Well, that's certainly true. I mean, I had my doubts about you, but I don't think anyone here thought you weren't human." Rachel's comment causes Numbuh Gamma to chuckle.
"Heh-heh, I guess my acting worked."
"Almost. Your speech is way too adult-like."
"Hey, I'm only 9 in Luminosian years!" Numbuh Gamma snaps at Patton but this causes everyone to laugh as Numbuh Gamma realizes he had dropped his serious façade. "*cough* Anyway, that is my…backstory if you can call it that. I hope this has cleared any misconceptions you've had of me." Numbuh Gamma says at the Supreme Leader's living room falls silent. Even though they now know his origins, it only raises more questions.
"So, how long have this Galactic KND been watching us?"
"Ever since they formed the Earth's KND." Numbuh Gamma replies bluntly to Patton, stunning everyone.
"Holy crud…"
"We've really just been pawns this whole time…" Nigel thinks as another question pops up. "You mentioned a power struggle. Has it been resolved?" his question causes Numbuh Gamma to clench his fist.
"I wish I knew. I've been on Earth for 3 years and I haven't received any news regarding it. Numbuh Delta has only spoken to me a few times since I arrived, but it's not something you should be worrying about right now."
"Numbuh Gamma's right. Father should be our priority. We can deal with the GKND later." Rachel stands up and looks at everyone else, causing some of the attendees to nod. Nigel however is unable to keep his thoughts straight. Numbuh Gamma's words have only made him feel worse and he starts to leave.
"Well…I'm glad you were willing to share this with all of us but frankly, it hasn't made things any clearer…at least for me. I'm sorry, but I've got to think this through…alone." Nigel replies with a clearly pained expression and walks out before anyone can stop him.
"Nigel!" Rachel tries to go after him but Abby grabs her shoulder and stops her.
"Let him go. Numbuh 1 wants to be alone." she says silently as Rachel frowns sadly and lowers her head. "Just give him time, okay? This whole thing has hit him hard, ya know that, right?" Rachel nods as Abby lets go. Then, Hoagie stands up and leaves without saying a word, followed by Wally, much to Kuki's alarm.
"Numbuh 4, where are you going?!"
"I gotta clear my thoughts too." Wally replies and follows Hoagie out as well, leaving a dejected Kuki behind, who then leaves as well. Soon, the only ones left in the living room are Rachel and Numbuh Gamma.
"I guess they didn't like what they heard…"
"They're not angry at you…but I think I'm speaking for all of them when I say I feel a like pawn in the GKND's game."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize, Numbuh Gamma. You merely told us what we wanted to hear. Now we can focus on what really matters. So don't start feeling guilty about this. I need you at your best if we're going to turn the Earth back to normal."
"You earthlings and your endless optimism…"
"Hope keeps us going. Without it, we'd have lost a long time ago." Rachel says and leaves Numbuh Gamma by himself in the living room. He stands up and walks over to the round window behind the Supreme Leader's desk and puts his hand against the glass.
"I'll definitely get punished for revealing my identity to them…but I had no choice. If we don't defeat Father, they'll come here and do it for us…and another planet will be...Decommissioned." he mutters to himself and stares wistfully out of the window in to the deep, dark void.
End of Transmission 50
Note: Numbuh Gamma's identity has finally been revealed and it was a long time coming. Just like with Numbuh 1000, I originally didn't have any idea what to do with him, but as I continued writing, his character kept evolving until I figured out his role in the story as the mysterious Intelligence Chief who knows way more than he lets on.