Chapter 4. A Terrible Truth

Father woke up and practically tore the helmet off in foul temper. He was sopping wet, but the water was steaming because of the fire emitting from Father. He stomped off sourly from the room to find a towel.

"Guys! There's something about the machine that I think you should know." Numbuh 2 exclaimed.

"Wot's that?" Numbuh 4 asked.

"It was made by the same company that made the boyfriend helmet. Look at this." He revealed the invention's label he had found. "It says that the dream and sleep become permanent for the person on the other end if used too often."

"We have to warn Numbuh 362!" said Numbuh 1.

"Too bad we're all trapped in here," Numbuh 5 reminded him.

"Well, maybe not all of us," Numbuh 2 piped up.

The other four looked at him with confused expressions on their faces.

"Don't look at me like that! There's a gap right here. It's small, but it's the biggest one around here. Numbuh 4, do you think you could squeeze through?"

"Oi suppose Oi could." Numbuh 4 answered eyeing the space. He poked his head through it and carefully inched the rest of himself through with his arms. Numbuh 3 walked over to his side, a wall of flaming bars between them. She reached her hand through the cage and held Numbuh 4's. She kissed it lightly and smiled.

"Don't forget to come back for us after you talk to Numbuh 362, okay?"

Numbuh 4 blushed as he gained back his hand, "Don't worry, Oi won't forget."

With that, he took off down the way they had come. He was out of sight by the time Father returned, who noticed right away that there was one less captive in his cage.

"Hey! Where'd the stupid one go? Escaped? Well, there won't be a chance of that happening again. Delightful Children, get in here!"

The five dreaded, goody goody children entered the room at the command of Father. "Yes, Father?" they asked in perfect unison.

"Make sure none of these other Kids Next Door even think of leaving." Father ordered. "I need to finish writing the terms of the Kids Next Door's surrender."

Numbuh 362, regardless of the dream illness Father had given her, was still doing her job. Her helmet with two stunning, purple samurai blades was still perched on her head, the symbol of her authority. She was still sorting out paperwork, taking her hourly patrols (with Numbuh 86 right at her heels), and answering incoming transmissions here and there.

"Sector V to Moonbase! This is urgent!"

Numbuh 362 was in the room and answered it without delay, "Moonbase to Sector V, what's the problem?"

Numbuh 4 appeared on the screen. "Oh, Numbuh 362, it's about Father's machine. Before too long the effects become permanent for the victim, and that's you."

"You mean the dreams become my life?"

"Oi…erm…yeah..?.."

Numbuh 362 could feel panic building up inside of her. No KND, no supreme commander, nothing but Father. She bit her lip and tried not to think about it.

"Thanks Numbuh 4. End transmission."

Numbuh 362 told herself to calm down. She didn't want her panic to make her jumpy. While she was walking down the hall thinking about this, she absent-mindedly walked slap bang into Numbuh 60.

"Sorry, sir." Numbuh 60 apologized.

"Numbuh 60? What brings you up to the Moonbase?" Numbuh 362 asked.

"Well, I got the transmission about Father's latest plot and thought you might need some help. Numbuh 60 reportin' for duty, sir!"

Numbuh 362 smiled and noticed a smaller figure running toward them.

"Numbuh 362, what's wrong?" It was her little brother, Numbuh 363.

"I'll explain all of it once we get to my office."

She did exactly as she had said. She told them about all of it. She explained about the first attack, about what she found out when Numbuh 86 woke her up, and finally she told both of them what Numbuh 4 had just reported.

"So," she concluded, "we don't have much time left. You will all have to fight me and give it your all the next time I sleep. It's the only way to help."

"But," Numbuh 60 spoke up, "if hurting you is the only way to get at Father, then I don't want to do it."

"Me neither," Numbuh 363 agreed, "I can't fight my own sister."

"You two, this is an order, not a request. If you don't do it, I might not be supreme commander anymore."

Numbuh 60 got up and offered Numbuh 362 a hug, which she willingly accepted. Numbuh 363 joined in as well. Numbuh 362 broke it up several seconds later.

"Now, I have to announce that to everybo—" She didn't get a chance to finish before she collapsed senseless to the ground.

Numbuh 362 found herself dreaming once again. Father stood over her, laughing.

"You're not in control anymore."