Me: Okay people, this is the second to last chapter, so do me a favor and review, review, review! That doesn't mean double post, of course! If you've been reading this and not reviewing please do so. Say something unique if possible too. That's all. Winnie Beatles over and out!
Chapter 6. The Rescue
It had been a good thing Numbuh 86 had brought some of those boxes of tissues with them. Numbuh 363 went through a whole box in just a few minutes. Not to mention when Numbuh 7! came in and they told her what happened, she was just as bad as the buck-toothed boy with the tissues. Numbuh 86 decided to step out for a second to announce Numbuh 362's current status.
When she came back, all three of the other's eyes were dry. Numbuh 7! sniffed once before speaking, "We aren't much use just sitting here ya know. Everyone in Sector V, 'cept Numbuh 4, is trapped in Father's mansion. I think we should help Numbuh 4 rescue them.
"I agree," Numbuh 86 said, "four Kids Next Door operatives would be more helpful to Numbuh 362 when she comes to than a bunch of used tissues."
"She wouldn't want us moping around anyway," Numbuh 60 added.
"Then let's get ready for a rescue mission!"
Father was not too happy back at the mansion. His machine would not let him enter Numbuh 362's dream again. She had finally defeated him and barred him from reentry. She could finally sleep in peace.
"How could that brat defeat ME!" Father cried out in fury, "I almost destroyed her, how did she win?"
The Delightful Children hoped his temper went down soon, or he might take it out in them. But, he might be smarter and take it out on his captives.
Father removed the helmet and threw it down. He walked over to the burning cage, "If I can't take out your leader, I'll just get rid of her pawns." With that, he began to shrink the cage. The remaining members of Sector V inside the cage huddled close together to avoid being burned. The cage only continued to shrink as the laughter of Father combined with the Delightful Children's rang in the captives' ears. But as the cage began to singe Numbuh 5's hat, an enormous water balloon was shot at the cage, dousing the fire and then freezing to ice. Numbuh 7! stood at the entrance to the room, loading another water balloon into her launcher.
Taking Father's moment of astonishment to advantage, Numbuh 1 tripped him and sent him sliding on the ice in Numbuh 7!'s direction. Numbuh 4 was right behind his cousin (who is Numbuh 7!) and aimed his S.P.L.A.N.K.E.R. right in Father's face.
Twack!
"Yahgh!" Father yelped in agony as Numbuh 363 called to the four other members of Sector V, "Come on! This way!"
Before leaving, Numbuh 5 took Numbuh 7!'s water balloon launcher and shot it at the machine, causing part of it to shatter. Numbuh 86 shot her M.U.S.K.E.T. at the machine making sparks fly around the evil machinery.
Sector V and the rescue team exited the mansion and jumped into the S.C.A.M.P.E.R., setting a direct course for the Moonbase.
Numbuh 203 and 698 had located every wound on Numbuh 362's body that needed tending to. The Supreme Commander had dressings covering her arms, hands, legs, head, face, back, and front. The doctors had given each wound the same treatment; peroxide, ointment, and bandages. Numbuh 362 now lay there quietly in a hospital gown and a multitude of bandages. At last she was sleeping soundly without Father disrupting her. All the two medical operatives could do now was let her stay there to recuperate and hope for the best. It was like trying to care for a squirrel that had almost been a hawk's meal.
Numbuh 203 exited the room with her buddy, Numbuh 698, right behind her. They entered the waiting room to see it packed with Kids Next Door agents. Perhaps a few members of each sector from all over the world were there. Scarf Girl, Numbuh 1-love, Sonya, Lee, and Numbuh 78, just to name a few. Seeing the two med lab operatives, they immediately began berating them with questions.
"Is Numbuh 362 alright?"
"Did she defeat Father?"
"She'll be alright won't she?"
Sector V and the other four operatives entered the waiting room to view the crowded scene. Numbuh 698 and Numbuh 203 tried to answer every question thrown at them with one answer.
"Yes, she finally got rid of Father, but she needed some help from us."
"She's resting now and she's very weak, she needs her sleep. We did everything we could, we can only wait now."
"But you can leaf any gifts you haf 'ere and I vill give dem to 'er." Numbuh 977 told the whole group.
"Nettie's toffee bits, good stuff, wot." Scarf Girl said dropping off her offering.
"Tastiest black licorice in Australia," Numbuh 4 said tossing a bag of it Numbuh 977's way.
"Some good ol' fashioned chocolate."
"Rhode Island salt water taffy, delish!"
"A box of strawberry pocky."
The list went on an on. Numbuh 977 had to fill five large gift baskets for room 49. A few little hamsters even put aside a sack of sunflower seeds for the global leader. But Numbuh 7! and Numbuh 86 put on the finishing touch by setting down Numbuh 362's helmet, polished and glowing, on the front desk. They turned to leave when Numbuh 977 stopped them, "Vait! Vould you like ter 'elp deleever dese gifts?"
Numbuh 86 and Numbuh 7! nodded and both took a basket in each hand. Numbuh 977 carried the final basket and placed the helmet on Numbuh 7!'s head.
"Oof, 'tis a bit heavy." Numbuh 7! remarked.
They entered the room silently. Numbuh 7! removed the 'crown' from her head and placed it at the foot of Numbuh 362's bed, facing her. Then Numbuh 7! took off her own baseball cap in respect, as Numbuh 86 did with her helmet.
"Goodness, with all those injuries, she must've fought long n' hard, a real warrior." Numbuh 7! said, staring at the prone body of Numbuh 362. Her right arm was in a sling, and her left ankle was in a cast.
Numbuh 86 felt guilty, "She looks so pale, but with all those wounds I'm not surprised."
"Think she'll wake up, Fanny?" Numbuh 7! asked.
Fanny smiled, despite the tears welling in her eyes, "Of course, Winnie, she wouldn't leave the Kids Next Door behind. Like you said, she's a warrior, but she's a warrior who won't lay down and die."
Numbuh 977 ushered them out, "Come 'ere you two, ve hash ter leave now, she needs 'er rest."
Fanny and Winnie left the room with Bianca close behind, closing the door.
Numbuh 86 was right, for here was a warrior who would not lie down and die.
