Codename: Kids Next Door
operation:
g.a.l.a.c.t.i.c.
TWO
Numbuh 5 looked out of the window on the moonbase. Millions and millions of stars lit up the night sky, but for some reason...it made her sad. Sector V's former leader had left only two years previously but it felt more like an eternity. Since his departure, a few things changed in terms of the structure of the KND. For example, Numbuh 5 was about to turn 13. However, she was "tagged" as the next Supreme Leader of the KND. Maurice and the teen operatives were going to recruit her for the Teens Next Door before she was selected. In other words, Numbuh 5 had made history as the first teen leader of the Kids Next Door.
In fact, it was Numbuh 362 that began the game of tag in the first place. Knowing Numbuh 5's skills as an operative, she knew that they shouldn't go to waste. Abby was on her way to deliver a speech to the moonbase when she bumped into Rachel.
"Don't forget our motto. And remember to smile fiercely," she said to Numbuh 5 offering tips.
"I know what to say," 5 said as the main doors opened.
The room was packed with thousands of operatives; even the members of Sector V were there ready to cheer Abby on. As she walked out onto the stage, the whole auditorium sounded off with applause, noisemakers, and whistles.
"All right everybody," Abby said confidently. That was one thing about Numbuh 5: her confidence. "I know that as the new Supreme Leader of the Kids Next Door, you all want to expect greatness from me. But after being on so many missions and adventures, I know that I have already achieved greatness in other ways. Trust. Loyalty. Honor. Kindness. Friendship. Those five words have great importance to me...just like my teammates: Numbuhs Four, Three, Two, and..."
Suddenly, the auditorium was dead quiet. So quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Only those closest to Numbuh 1 knew where he "disappeared" off to. After all, the Galactic Kids Next Door was extremely confidential. The other members believed that he had left the KND with honor and was discharged. After composing herself, Abby went on speaking.
"Numbuh One." Remembering what she had in her pocket, Abby placed a hand on her side. She reached into her pants pocket and pulled out the iconic pair of sunglasses that Nigel had given her before he departed. With one quick motion, she placed the glasses on her face and cried:
"Kids Next Door Rule!" (The motto Numbuh 362 had referred to.)
"Kids Next Door Rule," the other operatives echoed back.
Numbuh 5 then put the glasses back into her pocket and exited the arena. As the doors closed behind her, she saw three familiar faces staring up at her: Hoagie, Kuki, and Wally. They all had sad looks on their faces.
"You did good Numbuh 5," Numbuh 4 said with a smirk.
"Yeah...short, sweet, and to the point," Numbuh 2 said with a wink.
Numbuh 3 merely gave Abby a sweet smile. Being the only girl operatives in Sector V, the two had a strong bond.
"Um...since your the new Supreme Leader and all, are we gonna get a new operative at the Treehouse?" Numbuh 2 said looking forlorn.
"Numbuh 5 hadn't really thought about that," Abby said before she was interrupted by Numbuh 86 herself.
"Numbuh 5! We have an immediate emergency! And you're standing their talking to your stupid friends!"
The operatives looked at one another and rolled their eyes. Numbuh 4's temper began to rise, and he just had to say something.
"Hey! Is that any way to talk to the Supreme Leader of the KND!"
Numbuh 86 was about to tell Wally off until she stopped herself. She looked at Numbuh 5 with an "oh crud," look on her face.
"Oh, yeah. I'm sorry Numbuh 5. I'm still getting used to it."
"Never mind that Numbuh 86. What's the emergency?"
"You'll need to come with me," she responded.
Numbuh 1 approached Numbuh Infinity's desk. It was littered with files and paperwork. Since the organization had recruited Numbuh 1, Infinity was usually the one to deploy him onto certain missions. Some of them were in the deep reaches of space and with other operatives on other planets. As Nigel saluted Infinity, he knew what was to come next. There had been a certain routine to things.
"Numbuh 1 reporting sir."
"At ease Nigel," Infinity said. "I know Numbuh 74.239 has already explained to you about the seriousness of this situation...someone hacking into our mainframe isn't just a coincidence. It's someone within this very base."
Numbuh 1 just couldn't believe that someone would try to betray the GKND. The organization itself was trying to discover the secret to the illness of adulthood. Having kids stay young forever sounded like a dream on Earth. If someone was trying to hack into the main frame and exploit the organization's secrets, it would exploit everything they had worked toward.
"We have our suspicions and one suspect. You must go to Earth. That's where we last tracked them," Infinity said.
"Yes sir. I will..." Numbuh 1 stopped realizing what Infinity had just said. "To Earth?"
Infinity nodded. He then told Numbuh 1 that his shuttle was waiting for him in the east wing.
"You are our very best operative Nigel Uno. Do not fail us," Numbuh Infinity said before dismissing him.
Without another word, 1 saluted and exited the office.