Chapter 20

Patton's POV

Though I now had nothing to do with Rachel, I started to feel a little worried when she didn't turn up for Art at third period. I noticed the other TND members in the class noticed too. Fanny seemed to ignore Hoagie and me, and was sitting with Virginia instead.

Abby saw the concern in my face, and turned to me before the teacher came.

"Where's Rachel?" She whispered. I merely shrugged my shoulders in frustration back. Her name was making my blood boil at this point.

"How should I know? As of yesterday I don't exist to her." I growled, and slumped down on the desk. I noticed Abby frown, and she knew what I was talking about.

"Well, for this don't think of her as your girlfriend." She stated flatly. "She's also you commander, so wouldn't you worry if she went missing then?"

I thought about it for a little bit, and shrugged my shoulders. "Well, then yeah, I'm worried that she's missing. But what if she just went home?"

Abby sighed. "Alright. But make sure that's what happened. I'll call her after school and find out, alright?"

I nodded, and sat back up when the teacher came in for the class.

I left earlier than I would, and walked out the gates. Though I was stopped by a short kid, the girl that helped us with the carnival incident. She seemed a little dreamy eyed, and was twirling a curl around her finger.

"Numbuh 345." I said, making her blush. "What can I do you for?"

Her face fell slightly. "I came to ask for the TND's help. I went to 362-T, but no one knows where she is…"

"Are you sure?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah, she wasn't at headquarters, and I checked her house, but nothing."

I frowned. So she had disappeared. "Well, tell me what you need help for."

"Well, my Sector infiltrated Father's mansion because he's been planning and attack on the KND and TND for weeks. Of course my obnoxious sister opened her trap and mouthed off. He took her, and forced us to retreat without her. So, we need help with a rescue mission."

"Numbuh 60-T!" I whizzed around, and saw Nigel running to me, his watch going haywire. "We have a code Supreme-Leader-Gone-Missing."

I frowned. "Who sent it?"

"Numbuh 362-T herself." Nigel looked at me stern, as if to tell me I needed to help. "We traced it back to Father's mansion."

I nodded once. "Right, Numbuh 1-T, I want you to take Numbuh 345 and gather as many KND and TND Sectors as you can, then go straight to his mansion and meet me there."

Nigel rested a hand on my shoulder. "You can't go alone, it's too risky."

"This is not only about the fate of our side." I replied, shrugging him away and walking off. "This is personal for me too."

I threw my bag off, and dug around for my weapon I always took around with me. I heard Nigel taking Numbuh 345 away, and I left my bag behind as I broke into a run. Though I was the last person she'd want to see, I knew it was my fault she was in this mess. I didn't just barge in though, I snuck around the back. There was an open window, so I climbed through, and commando rolled across the floor.

As I slowly began my search, I kept my gun poised at all times. I heard voices from a nearby room, and I pressed my ear against the door. I heard a female voice, and recognized it as my leader. She seemed angry, and by the sounds of the second voice of a male, I could tell why. He seemed to be mocking her, teasing her.

I heard him getting angry, and that was my cue to but in. I kicked the door down, and pointed my gun and the ebony covered man. He seemed almost…amused I had come.

"Well, well, well…" He started. "If it isn't 60-T. or if most put it, the Supreme Leader's puppy."

I merely growled as he continued to gloat. "You're just like a dog; you get kicked and beaten around, but you'll always stay loyal to your master."

I moved around him, and positioned myself between him and Rachel. I kept my gun pointed to his face.

"No need to get so violent. I was just stating facts." He smirked, and looked at me with deep interest.

"Now, you're also pretty high in command if I'm not mistaken? So why would you be dumb enough to come alone?"

"But I didn't come alone, you should know that by now." A smirked. "Kids and Teens Next Door…BATTLESTATIONS!"

On cue, several teams of kids and teens alike burst through windows, and smashed down walls to get in. Father tutted, and snapped his fingers. Ornaments, displays and furniture came to life, growing and excavating weapons as they went. I saw Fanny coming over, so I gave her the orders.

"86-T, take 362-T out of her. Protect the leader at all costs."

I stated bluntly, not even looking at either of them. I didn't hear a reply. "Numbuh 86-T, that's an order."

"Y-yes sir." She replied, grabbing Rachel as I turned slightly. "Come sir, we're getting you out of here."

I turned back to Father, who looked at me like I was a joke. "You want the leader, you gotta go through me."

"Fine, shame it's always that easy." He replied snidely, conjuring a fireball and hitting me straight in my right arm. I dropped my weapon with a large groan, and held it as he conjured another one. I stood my ground, and he smirked as I took his second one in the chest. I yelped in pain, and held my heart tightly. It was burning like crazy.

"Numbuh 60-T!" I heard Rachel scream.

I fell to my knees, and before my torso collapsed to the floor, I saw Father's disgusting smirk upon my pathetic attempt to protect Rachel.