Codename: Kids Next Door

operation

g.a.l.a.c.t.i.c.

TWENTY-NINE

Note: Sorry about the sooper long update. I hope all my readers are still with me on this.

"The real question that this council wants to know is who are you loyal to?" Numbuh 1 repeated this question to himself many times. What in the world was he supposed to say? Sure, he was loyal to the Galactic Kids Next Door, but he couldn't just abandon his friends. However, after seeing the looks on his former teammates' faces, it looked like he already had abandoned them. So far this court-martial was going all wrong. But...he knew he had to defend himself. He had chosen to defend himself and that was exactly what he was going to do.

Nigel swallowed his nervous energy. He was ready to answer the question that he had feared...and he was ready with an answer.

"You. I am loyal to the Galactic Kids Next Door and its members. I may disobey orders at times, but that is only because I can see the bigger picture. The greater goal at hand. Since I joined up, I have not once spoken out of turn or disrespected by fellow officers!" He said.

"But when your friends are involved you disobey?" One of the council members spoke.

"Yes, but only as a precautionary. I knew that they were scheduled to have their memories erased, and I wanted to be the one to capture them first. Numbuh NB476's methods are too torturous to discuss."

The council members looked at one another.

"We are all aware of NB476's behavior, but she is not the one on trial. You are," another council member spoke up.

"She should be! When Numbuh 74.239 recruited me, I expected nothing but the best from the greatest Kids Next Door organization in the galaxy! What was I supposed to think about torturing captives and taking out whoever we deem unworthy. In the Kids Next Door-"

"This isn't the Kids Next Door! We are the Galactic Kids Next Door and as superior beings we recognize what methods are necessary," another member spoke interrupting Numbuh 1.

As Nigel looked behind him, he noticed Chad had gone quiet for some reason. His body trembling, his eyes were full of fear. It was almost as if he knew something terrible was about to happen. Numbuh 1 placed a hand to his cheek to think. Here he was...being court-martialed for disobeying orders and he could barely get a word out to defend himself. It was then that Numbuh 74.239 came to his aid again.

"I believe Nigel Uno is allowed to bring forth any witness to attest to his leadership skills and strong moral character."

That's right! He had forgotten all about his witness. The only one that could stand up for him. Numbuh 9L.

9L walked into a spotlight across the room from Numbuh 1. She didn't look scared at all. However, she wore a depressed look. After all, she lost her home planet to adulthood and knew the GKND were only stalling til they could do the exact same thing to the Earth. Numbuh 1 gave her a small smile, but she didn't give one back. As much as she cared for Nigel, she knew it would only look bad if the council saw her behaving in an unprofessional manner.

"Numbuh 9L," Numbuh 1 started his questioning. "What can you say about my moral character, code of ethics, and team standards?"

"You're determination and passion has always been of high value. That's why we recruited you. We need more operatives like you Numbuh 1," she said with her arms folded. "In terms of your moral character, you've always gone above and beyond the call of duty for the mission at hand. And as for team standards, there is nothing you wouldn't do for your teammates."

Nigel was quite proud of the things 9L was saying. However, the council members interrupted once again before he could ask another question.

"Let the record show that Numbuh 9L has been assigned to the same quadrant as Nigel Uno. It is no wonder she would stick up for her teammate, and we would like to allocate for her testimony to be dismissed," a council member said in a smart-aleck tone.

"WHAT?!"

"When exactly do they plan to blow up the Earth Lizzie," Wally asked.

"Soon," she replied wiping away tears in her eyes.

Sector V looked at one another. Abigail finally spoke up.

"Well...we know that the GKND is planning to destroy the Earth, but they somehow are working with the Teens as well. Cree said that they've haven't even launched their biggest weapon yet...but I still don't understand how Nigel Uno could be that weapon," she said recapping for everyone.

"These people are crazy Numbuh 5," Patton said with a grunt. After all, he was still recovering from his injuries. "Once I was captured, I was tortured for information and I saw...Numbuh 1. He's changed...He's one of them now." Patton said this with a bit of fear in his voice. He could still see NB476 and her "methods" of getting information.

Everyone in the room thought it was hopeless. After all, what chance did they have against the GKND? They had better weapons, better technologies, and even better operatives. Here's what they knew: 1) The GKND is planning to attack Earth 2) Number 1 has turned against and is somehow a weapon to be used against them 3) The Teens have also joined up with the GKND. Three points. Three huge points that when thought upon, only caused Numbuh 5 to get a huge pit in her stomach.

"I've got to get back to the bridge! Before we send out our operatives, we must let the Galactic Kids Next Door make the first move!"

"Are you crazy?" Numbuh 4 yelled. "They can annihilate half the planet by then!"

"We have to Numbuh 4...we have too."