Chapter 2
Abby decided she'd attempt to sleep in the next morning, as the previous night's talk with Kuki and Wally had made her brain work overtime throughout the rest of the night. When she told the blonde boy, she actually never mentioned whom it was that she was infatuated with. And the poor naïve boy being as stupid as he was, came to his own accusations; but didn't tell her who he thought it was in the end. Abby pulled the covers over her head and buried herself into her bed as far as she could possibly sink. As her eyelids were slowly beginning to droop, the French girl heard the loudest squeal from her Japanese friend, followed by a large amount of weight being catapulted right on top of her. Abby squealed as loud as the previous one, and flung her sheets off to find Kuki sitting upon her legs and giggling hysterically.
"Sorry Numbuh 5, I thought you were already awake." She said in her flirtatious manner. "Numbuh 2 suggested I come and play pile up!"
"And since when do you listen ta him anyway?" She asked, making the Japanese cock her head to the side. Abby shook her head in amusement. "Neva mind. Is there a reason you came to get me?"
"Yeah, Numbuh 1 wants everyone in the communication room. 362 is sending reports in and wants us all there."
Abby nodded enthusiastically. "Well, if Numbuh 1 wants Numbuh 5 there, she'll be there."
Kuki giggled and skipped out the room to leave Abby to get dressed. The French girl shook her head in amusement once more and accessorized with her old red cap. Pulling her braid through the opening, she wondered what would be so important for the head of the Moon Base herself to address them on their two-week break. It didn't make much sense to her. She tucked some loose bits of hair behind her ears, and readied herself for the reports.
Abby entered the communication room a little while later and found it uncomfortable having five sets of eyes upon her arrival, 362's included.
"Glad you could make it Numbuh 5." Nigel a.k.a Numbuh 1 said in a soothing manner.
Abby blushed slightly, receiving a suspicious look from Wally. "Sorry Numbuh 1, but Numbuh 5 jus' woke up."
"Apologies can wait operatives." 362 interrupted on the big screen that was currently showing her to the Sector's operatives. "It has come to the attention of the Moon Base that not all the villains are on this two week break. There's been suspicious activity about in your Sector, and I've have personally sent one of my best operatives to help you investigate."
Wally crossed his fingers and chanted in a mumble. "Please don't say 86, please don't say her. Anyone but her…"
362 wore a wicked grin. "I've sent operative 86 to help with the investigation, as she was very keen to do it."
"Aw crud." Wally began his rant as 362 ended the transmission. "God, now all we're gonna hear is, "Nigel, you're alright for a boy" and "Nigel, we could be a good team in the future with your skills and my intelligence". Bleeargh! You think the Sheila dug him or somethin'. And a further note, she's freaken crazy!"
Nigel cleared his throat irritably at his fellow teammate. "You are aware that I am still in the room. And a further note, Numbuh 86 has become a very responsible and respected operative. 362 thinks very highly of her now, and so should you."
"Ah you pullin' me leg or something?" Wally shook his head. "There is no way ah'm gonna think of that girl highly."
Abby and Kuki giggled as Nigel towered over the blonde with arms folded and frow furrowed. "You will be nice to her as long as she's sharing the same roof with you. She's not that bad, it's just you got on her nerves that one time you were paired together."
"Yeah, says the bloke that has slap wars and name callin' competitions with." Wally folded his arms and turned away. "Ah'll treat her the way she treats me, alright?"
"That's exactly what I was hoping to hear." Nigel smirked triumphantly. "That's all for now. You can do what you want until Numbuh 86 gets here."
As Hoagie, Kuki and Wally dismissed themselves, Abby stayed behind with Nigel. He merely smiled and adjusted his glasses. "Anything I can do to help you?"
"Numbuh 5 jus' wanted to compliment cha on pullin' Numbuh 4's head in." She smiled. "Got any plans then?"
"Not as yet, but if you're interested we can hang out?" Nigel offered his arm out to her. She nodded and slipped hers through before leaving for his room.
0o0o0o0o0o0oo0o
As the transportation made its way to Earth, Francine paced up and down the isle. The twins, Numbuh 44 and Numbuh 44, watched their commander in concern. All through their three years of serving under command and being her right hand kids, they had never seen her so deep in thought. As their heads followed the Scottish girl pacing past them several times, they noticed that Numbuh 99, the Co-pilot of the crew, had turned slightly and noticed their commander acting weirdly.
"Ma'am, you alright?" Numbuh 99 asked after a few minutes of watching her.
"Hmm?" She stopped and twirled around to face him, her skirt lifting slightly and attracting the twin's attention. "Sorry, I was just thinkin' about this new foe. If it is a new one anyway."
"Boss?" the taller one of the twins asked. "What exactly are you going with this?"
"Well, think about it. A holiday comes along, meaning everybody is caught off guard. It would be the perfect opportunity for someone as powerful as Father to attack."
"You're implying that Father's behind all this?" The shorter twin asked with a hint of fear in his voice. Francine shook her head.
"I have a nagging feeling it's someone more threatening as Father." She sighed and began pacing again. "I believe it could be as threatening as former operative 274, or worse…"
"Surely you don't mean former operative Numbuh 11?" 99 was completely turned in his seat, engrossed in the conversation. A thump from the female operative driver made him turn back around to do his job, but he turned his head slightly to keep his eyes glued to his boss.
"I'm afraid I believe it may be her." And with that, her head went down and her hands behind her back to continue pacing back and forth. The twins were concerned about their commander's behaviour; she never spoke to them as if they were friends before. It was only strictly business between them. The older twin grabbed her hand as she came around for the eleventy billionth time, and pulled her down to sit between them. There was no fuss or complaining; she merely huffed and leaned back in the chair.
"You sure you're alright 86?" The shorter one asked.
"Yeah, there's something else, isn't there?" The taller one exclaimed. "Is it about that Numbuh 4 incident?"
Francine huffed and shook her head as she folded her arms tightly across her chest. "No, it's not that."
"Is it about the slumber party incident?"
"No." She was getting quite irritated by then.
"Oh, is it about Nigel Uno?"
"No."
99 turned around and glared at the twins. "Would you two just shut up and leave her alone. If she wanted to tell you she would. Now, I trust you can keep your traps shut until we reach Sector V, can't I?"
They both saluted, and sat back with their commander, who by now had her thumbnail in between her teeth deep in thought.
This ride was going to be long and painfully quiet, or so it seemed.
"We've just penetrated the Earth's ozone layer, and will reach Sector V in approximately half an hour." The female pilot addressed. Francine got out of her seat and turned to leave, when a slight jerk of the ship caused her to lose her footing. She fell forwards, and her helmet went spiraling off her head. She got up to her knees and turned back.
"Numbuh 99, what's happening?" She asked, noticing the pilot was having great difficulty steering. There was another jerk, and four of the operatives were now on the floor.
"I can't do this any longer." The pilot was straining to keep the ship airborne, and had even more difficulty avoiding whatever she was. "We've run straight into a ground attack, someone's trying to blow us out of the sky." There was a huge explosion, followed by a series of cries. "We've been hit, we're going down!"
The ship began to plummet to the world below, the nose dropping at incredible speeds. Anything that wasn't bolted down began to slide down to the head of the ship, including the three operatives. Francine slid down slowly, as she attempted to use her nails to prevent herself from going any further. It lasted for a whole of three seconds, and she turned on her back as she slid down. Another blast at the ship flung her forward, and right into 99's arms. He held onto her tightly as the twins grabbed the pilot to keep her close. Even though she despised boys very greatly, she couldn't help grabbing 99's jumper and holding on tightly as their ship increased speed in its downfall. 99 pushed her head down slightly as a large case flew over and smashed the windscreen. She buried her head in his shoulder and hung on like her life depended on it; she didn't want to look as the ground came rushing up to them at an unbelievable speed…
