Codename: Kids Next Door

operation

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

THIRTY

Note: Wow! It's been a while guys. Been busy with work.

The cold dark room seemed to close in around Numbuh 1. His only witness, and friend at this point, just had her testimony extracted. Due to her relationship to him, Numbuh 9L's testimony could not even save him. Nigel began to wonder if there was anything he could do to get these council members on his side. After all, they were the cream of the crop of the Galactic Kids Next Door. Surely, they realized that he was an efficient operative.

"I suppose my skills as an operative should speak for itself," he said in frustration.

"We understand that you no doubt have the skills, agility, intelligence, and wits just to have been recruited by us. However, that does not excuse your insubordination for disobeying orders," one of the council members said back.

"You don't understand! In fact, I don't believe you'll never understand! Why am I the one on trial here? What can I do to prove my loyalty?"

Nigel looked in 74.239's direction. He looked a bit nervous. It was almost if he knew the answer to Nigel's question. Suddenly, Numbuh 1 remembered what Infinity had told him before the trial had even started.

FLASH

"Nigel...I'm afraid I won't be able to attend your court-martial. It seems I am needed elsewhere, however, Numbuh 74.239 will be there via the transmitter."

"Where...where are you going?" Nigel said; the sound of fear in his voice showing. "You're one of the only ones that actually believes in me!"

"That is not true Nigel. We ALL believe in you. This organization believes in you," Infinity said putting a hand on Numbuh 1's shoulder. "Remember that."

FLASH

"I have to trust in Infinity's words...the organization does believe in me...so why are they treating me like this?" He thought to himself. He could only remember one other time he had been face to face with high ranking KND officers. It was the moment when he was a dewey-eyed recruit taking the exam to first get into the organization. Every one had to take this exam to be able to become a brand new operative. While some in command knew he had potential, they weren't enthusiastic about they way he was a "free thinker." The ideas he could come up with were crazy but effective. It was only because Numbuh 5 changed his grades that he was allowed in.

"To prove your loyalty to us and to the organization, we are giving you an important task. One that only you can pull off," one of the members said.

"What kind of important task?"

The shadows on the computer screen began whispering to one another. Nigel tried desperately to hear what they were saying but to no avail. He looked at Numbuh 74.239 and noticed that he still carried that look of anxiety. As for Chad, he too had the same look etched on his face. Numbuh 1 didn't understand. Was there something they knew that he didn't? After the whispering was over, one of the council members spoke.

"We cannot give you that information until the trial is over."

"Well it pretty much is over if you won't let me defend myself! So far all you've done is mock me and my experience, and the only defense witness I called had the testimony thrown out! All you need to know is I did what I had to and what I thought was right. Not for my teammates or the Kids Next Door but for us! For the GKND..." Nigel stopped talking. He had just told them who he was loyal to by indirectly what he had just told them. "I suppose subconsciously I just made my choice," he thought to himself.

Numbuh 74.239 finally spoke. "That's all we wanted to know Numbuh 1...that's all..." Why did he sound so frightened?

Suddenly, a few more lights came on above Nigel. The room seemed to get a little brighter than before. Though the monitor screens still displayed shadows, it looked like they were about to explain about their plans, whatever they may be. The lights then went off again, except for a spotlight on Numbuh 1.

"Nigel Uno," one of the voices echoed through the room.

"Yes."

"You have been placed on trial for insubordination and disobeying your commanding officer. We members believe that you have proven yourself worthy many times over. Your mission logs and records show that you an operative of exceptional skill..."

Nigel smiled.

"However, we the council believe that you still have of yet shown any true loyalty to this organization and must prove your loyalty now."

"Does that mean what I think it means?" Numbuh 1 asked hoping what was about to be said wasn't true.

"Your wretched planet of Earth has been consumed by adulthood and therefore this council finds that it must be destroyed," another voice said.

"NO!" Numbuh 1 turned around. This "big no moment" came from none other than Chad Dickson. Again, he had forgotten that he was still restrained. Before he could get any other words out, the guards behind him took hold of him. Nigel could hear Chad's grunts and groans from behind him but he quickly turned around not wanting to see any of the violence.

"We said to restrain him not torture him," one of the voices said. "Besides...we want him to see this..."

The guards let go of 274 and stepped backward into the darkness. Things were become a little more clearer to Numbuh 1. As a matter of fact, he had known that sooner or later, the GKND would target his home planet. He just wished this revelation had come at a better time. But there was no better time to destroy an entire planet. Over the last two years, he had heard of planets being demolished but he had never actually seen one be destroyed. As far as he knew, the ones that carried out such orders were high-ranking officials like Numbuh Infinity and 74.239. Though, he had also discovered things were not at all like they seemed.