Operation: F.A.T.E.
F – FateA – Already
T – Told
E – Eternally
Recap: Hoagie's now shares leadership of an organization called the AAJ. Unlike the KND it offers help to all ages not just kids. Unfortunately the KND is now under (very) hard times. Father with Federal help has established the kid saving organization as a terrorist group in several states in America. Other countries have in turn followed suit and countries like Britain have completely banned the KND all together. This pains Hoagie but he has no time to reflect too long when another attack hits the AAJ's main building. Meanwhile on Bully Island Jerry's gaining more mobility in his body and challenges Wally to wrestle, which he of course loses. Wally's encouraging though and so is Wintry (was West before revealing that he was really a she), who's now Jerry's girlfriend. Their moment is temporarily interrupted by Jordan, one of the few who didn't leave Bully Island to return to wider civilization. But his teasing is cut short by Trent who Jerry noticed had been quiet lately. Eventually things move on and Jerry and Wintry start making out. Wally relocates them so they don't murder Jerry's chair with the extra weight. Tommy exiting a pizza parlour after secretly meeting with the KND, reflects on his older brother's choice to help form and maintain the AAJ. Tommy hates Hoagie for it and has cut off all contact with him. A car drives up with Mushi inside and Tommy hesitantly takes a ride. Mushi's glad about Tommy now being her boyfriend but reveals what she'll do if he betrays her. A scared Tommy who intended to do just that lies through his teeth to save himself. Lizzie is now Madame L, leader of the KND. Things have changed and now she secretly dates Nigel who is a top member of the AAJ. Nigel obviously holds a grudge against the KND and hurts Lizzie's feeling by being willing to date her but refusing to open his heart to her again. The chapter ends with both going to one of the areas within the AAJ building where they can carry on their dates secretly.
Surprise GaloreIt was 9pm at the mansion as Lenny stared at the family heir. Father had surprisingly married a year and a half ago. Now the baby Tobias Gerald Benedict Uno lay in a crib gurgling happily. It was six months old and had his father's eyes and mother's hair.
Lenny stuck his finger inside the crib and tickled the baby.
The baby giggled.
"Thinking of having one of your own?" Abigail asked walking in.
"Maybe," Lenny teased, "you…interested?" he asked her.
Abigail looked at him as if he were the biggest idiot in existence.
"Abigail you know I'm kidding," Lenny said laughing.
"You better be," Abigail said frankly walking over to the crib, "the great heir," she remarked.
"Heir is a title, not a name," Lenny said but his voice showing disapproval.
"Okay, Okay," Abigail said, "hi Tobias," she said brightly.
The baby giggled and stretched for her.
Abigail reached in and picked up Tobias.
Tobias giggled as Abigail gently rocked him.
She looks so beautiful, Lenny thought, I know Father annoyed me with his initial 'I need a heir' speech, he recalled, but having a baby would be nice, he thought, not right now of course, but…in the future.Abigail smiled and gently rubbed the baby's face. She thought all babies were beautiful and even her bad experience with babies at Sector V didn't change her mind. The situation had been Nigel's fault after all.
"Someone's having fun," a voice said unhappily.
Abigail and Lenny turned around to see Grandpa Uno.
"Um," Abigail said putting the baby down, "good evening Master Uno," she said respectfully.
Lenny hated that Abigail had to say that. Well actually that she chose to agree to call him by that name when he told her to.
"Grandpa," Lenny said.
Grandpa Uno glared.
"I don't relate to monkeys," Grandpa Uno said harshly.
Lenny's eyes flared.
"Um, Abigail would rather we not quarrel," Abigail said knowing what would happen if Father found out.
"Cracker!" Lenny shouted furious at Grandpa Uno's racist remark.
"Cracker?" Father asked stepping in.
Lenny looked up to see Father by the door.
"Go to your room," Father said darkly.
"Bu…"
"NOW!" Father exploded.
"But he called me cracker," Grandpa Uno whined, "where are my plushie toys?" he asked suddenly.
Father slapped himself on the head. His father slipped in and out of his Alzheimer's. When he was in that state he said few things that made sense. Like asking for a plushie collection he didn't have.
"Here's one," Father said giving him Tobias's plush blue teddy bear.
"Thank you ugly fire guy," Grandpa Uno said and walked away.
Father growled angrily.
"I'm sorry," Lenny apologized, "I know…"
"That you should call me instead of engaging him," Father cut him off.
Lenny looked at his feet.
"My father's racist," Father admitted, "but he's old," he continued, "I can't teach him new tricks now," he told Lenny, "he barely remember the one's he already learnt."
"How come you're different?" Abigail asked, "I understand Nigel's dad, but you stayed."
Lenny looked at Abigail appalled. He himself had wondered but never dared to ask.
Father chuckled.
"I chose to be different," Father responded, "just like my brother chose to leave," he continued, "not everything is controlled by one strong current of fate," he added.
"Or if it is you can fight against the tide and make a few things different," Lenny put in.
"But beware," Father warned, "fate doesn't like being messed with," he said.
"Fate's living?" Abigail asked.
"No," Father said, "it's more of an establishment," he said, "and I've learned," he continued, "establishments don't like being messed with," he concluded.
"You've rebelled?" Abigail asked.
Lenny looked at his father in surprise.
"Are you that shocked Lenny?" Father asked, "that there's rebellious blood in your old man?"
Lenny was too shocked to answer.
Father chuckled.
"I'll leave you two lovebirds alone," Father said and walked out.
"Dad," Lenny whined.
Abigail punched him in the shoulder.
"Oww!" Lenny cried.
"I'm already your girlfriend," Abigail reprimanded, "stop whining."
"But he does it in front of guests," Lenny reminded her.
"Then whine then," Abigail said, "I'm just glad he didn't do it in front anyone but Tobias," she added.
Lenny had to agree on that one. Especially with the memory of Father mentioning their relationship in a televised interview a few weeks ago.
I'm still getting calls about it, Lenny thought.
-----
Meanwhile on Bully Island it was raining heavily. Everything had been prepared for the oncoming storm. There was just one problem. No sign of Trent. Wally had volunteered to look for him. Now he was stuck in the beginning of the storm himself.
Wally tried his best to see through sheets of pouring rain. He had fallen several times and his hands and knees were bleeding.
Soon he saw a cave not far from the empty bully pens. Strangely there was a light on.
Well it's none of the bully experiments, Wally thought, they've all been carried to the special emergency storage facility, he recalled, none of them were left out to be in the storm.
Wally walked slowly and carefully to the cave. After falling over mud and stones he finally reached.
That's when Wally's jaw dropped.
Trent was lying in the cave with two lantern over his head.
But what was shocking wasn't Trent or the lanterns.
It was the fact that Trent lay on a blue blanket touching himself.
Wally's breath caught as he couldn't turn away.
Trent eventually came.
But before he looked up and saw…
"WALLY!" Trent shouted.
An earth shattering orgasm cut him off.
After it was over Trent shuddered then lay still for a while.
Wally carefully walked closer.
"I…I was only looking for you," Wally stuttered, "I never," he started, "I didn't know," he completed softly.
"Will you tell anyone?" Trent asked not moving.
"Wha…no," Wally responded, "I won't tell anyone Trent."
"Why?" Trent asked his eyes closed since the orgasm finished.
"Be…" Wally started.
But he stopped.
Why am I not telling anyone on him? Wally wondered, his friends would laugh at him, he thought, like he's made them laugh at us, especially Jerry.
"It's okay if you want to tell," Trent said seeming to read Wally's thoughts as his eyes slowly opened.
Wally was taken aback.
"Um, no," Wally decided, "it wouldn't be right."
Trent zipped up his pants and got up.
"Right is overrated," Trent said and walked over to a different corner of the cave.
"So this is your little hideaway?" Wally asked looking around.
Several posters littered the walls of topless women.
Trent chuckled.
"I guess so," Trent responded.
"Women are obviously high on your priorities," Wally stated.
"Too bad the only female here is taken," Trent said laughing.
Wally frowned.
"You know why I'm laughing?" Trent asked suddenly.
Wally didn't respond. He was too confused by the fact that Trent hadn't tried to start a fight with him or said anything derogatory yet.
"Because I'm a fraud," Trent revealed, "look," he said and turned a poster over.
Wally's mouth hit the ground.
On the opposite side of the poster were seven men having hardcore sex.
"That's what I'm imagining while these women posters face me," Trent said turning the poster back to its original side.
"You're…gay?" Wally asked.
"Yeah," Trent confessed.
"So…" Wally started.
"I'm a bully, I'm a liar," Trent put in, "go ahead, make a list."
Wally thought for a moment then sighed.
"I'm too tired to argue," Wally admitted.
Trent looked and noticed Wally's condition for the first time.
"Um," Trent said and quickly rifled through his clothes, "these should fit," he said handing Wally a fresh set of clothes, "oh and here," he added handing Wally the first aid kit, "for your cuts and bruises."
Wally was surprised by Trent's kindness.
"Uh, thanks," Wally said and found a blocked off corner to change.
He winced a lot while adding alcohol to his wounds. After that he put on bandages and dressing and walked back out.
Trent handed a huge towel to him.
"You should warm yourself up slowly," Trent told him.
"I know," Wally responded.
"Oh," Trent said.
Wally wrapped himself with the purple towel and sat down. Trent's clothes were strange to him. First they were kind of tight. Not just because Wally was a slightly bigger size than him, but also because Trent was always known to wear close and form fitting clothes. Wally personally liked everything baggy. Worse all he wore was the white T-shirt and black silk shorts. Trent for some reason wore briefs and Wally had long stopped wearing them. He'd rather go commando then wear them now.
"Can I ask you a question?" Trent asked.
"Hmm?" Wally asked, "oh, sure."
"How come you don't talk much about your family?" Trent asked.
Wally's face became stone.
"Sorry," Trent apologized.
"How come you're so nice lately?" Wally asked.
Trent laughed.
"Maybe I had a revelation," Trent responded.
Wally chuckled.
"My family's gone," Wally told him, "not literally," he continued, "but I'm no longer a part of it."
"Disowned?" Trent guessed.
Wally jerked back surprised.
"How did…?" Wally started.
"I guessed," Trent said genuinely surprised, "they disowned you?"
"I wasn't their kind of son," Wally said simply, "they have Joey to raise."
"That's sad," Trent said, "mine died, traffic accident," he revealed.
"Sorry," Wally said.
"Thanks," Trent responded.
"Um, why do you tease gays so terribly?" Wally asked.
Trent chuckled.
"You'd probably faint of you knew," Trent responded.
"So you'd rather not talk about it," Wally realized.
"No," Trent said honestly.
"That's okay," Wally agreed, "achoo!"
"You probably should stay up for the next few hours," Trent suggested, "just ensuring you're not coming down with pneumonia," he explained.
"Or so that I won't fall asleep and possibly never wake up," Wally added.
Trent looked away.
"I've survived worse," Wally said confidently, "I'll be fine."
"I hope so," Trent said, "a death in the Trent Cave can't be a good thing," he added.
Wally laughed.
"The Trent Cave?" Wally asked, "that's what you seriously call this cave?"
"Yeah," Trent said, "I have an awesome name."
"If I had it I wouldn't call it the Wallabee Cave," Wally said frankly.
"You could call it Wally's Cavern," Trent suggested.
"What's up with you and names?" Wally asked.
"I hate leaving things unnamed," Trent said.
"Names give things purpose," Wally commented.
Trent looked at him strangely.
"Oh, it's something my mother said," Wally said.
Trent tried unsuccessfully not to laugh.
"It's true," Wally said.
Trent soon was able to get his laughter under control.
"Anyway," Trent said, "how are you?" he asked, "still cold?"
"A bit," Wally admitted, "but I'll be okay," he added.
"Just let me check…" Trent started, "um, excuse me," he said and hurried off.
Wally noticed Trent pick up a water bottle and walked off to a blocked off corner.
Trent soon came back wiping his hands on his pants.
Wally then remembered what he witnessed earlier.
Now I'm REALLY glad he washed his hands, Wally thought.
Then Trent wiped away the white substance a short distance away with a washcloth. After washing his hands again, he checked Wally's face.
Trent's eyes burst open.
"What?" Wally asked.
"You're freezing!" Trent shouted, "God Wally!"
Trent striped to his underwear and got under the towel.
"Wha…!" Wally shouted.
"You need body warmth," Trent said holding him.
"Oh," Wally realized, his voice hinted disappointment.
Trent noticed but didn't say anything.
Wally soon wrapped his arms around Trent.
"Do you think I'll die?" Wally asked softly.
Trent looked into Wally's blue eyes.
"I don't know," Trent said honestly.
"If I go I'll be with her," Wally said softly.
Trent knew he was referring to Kuki.
"Do you want to go?" Trent asked him.
"Partly," Wally admitted.
"The other part?" Trent asked.
"Wants to move past the pain," Wally said, "find someone else."
"This island really limits someone else," Trent said.
"Yeah," Wally agreed.
And maybe that limit can make that someone else be me, Trent thought, he liked Wintry but couldn't move past Kuki, he recalled, but he was able to tolerate and I believe nearly cemented a relationship with Jerry, he thought, if Jerry could pierce his aching heart, maybe I can too, he deduced, yeah, I have a chance, I think.
----
Mushi sat in the living room of her home glaring at her mother. Genki Sanban had been allowed to return to Japan. But she got one request. To see her living daughter before she went. It was now half past nine and Mushi couldn't wait for her to be gone.
I am Mr. Boss's daughter, not hers, Mushi thought, the stupid Mushi of pretty pigtails in yellow bubbles (the hairclips she wore in the show, at least that's what they call it where I'm from) and oversized sweaters is gone, she thought, I'm the only Mushi who exists now.
"And when I go back I'll write to you everyday," Genki went on, "your sister will be wearing a beautiful dress when I arrive," she gushed, "you father's busy with some big plan overseas of course…"
Mushi had been warned not to contradict anything her mother said. She had learned the hard way when she had earlier said that Kuki wasn't around anymore. Her mother was freaked out for nearly an hour.
"And my family says they have a special place for me when I get settled in Japan," Genki said excitedly.
Probably a nuthouse, Mushi thought.
"I'm certain it will be fabulous," Mushi said dryly.
"I know you're mad," Genki said, "but Mr. Boss told me that your father decided to let you stay in America with all your friends," she told Mushi, "your father wanted you to go but Mr. Boss generously offered to take care of you until you visit us or vice versa."
"Excellent," Mushi said rolling her eyes.
"Don't be like that," Genki said and reached over.
"Mother," Mushi snarled.
Genki's hand went back.
"Ha, I forget your only rule," Genki realized, "no touching," she said less than enthusiastic.
"I told you that you can hug me goodbye," Mushi reminded her.
"But no goodbye kiss," Genki protested.
"No mother," Mushi responded.
"You're growing so fast," Genki said tearfully, "my beautiful baby girl."
Mushi groaned loudly.
When will this be OVER! Mushi thought.
----
Jade meanwhile kicked another KND operative unconscious. This attack on the AAJ was much more elaborate than anyone thought.
"Hoagie, Nigel and other crucial members of the AAJ have been evacuated," Lee said over his communicator, which Jade got to hear through her earpiece.
"Good!" Jade cried and dodged a kick, "Megan's with them?" she asked.
"Had to knock her out but yeah," Lee said.
Jade kicked an operative in the face, poked another in the eyes, and punched the last in the stomach.
All fell with a heavy thud.
Jade grinned.
This is so much easier without Megan's belly aching, Jade thought, I'm just glad that when Mr. Goodman finally created a body that Freeland volunteered it to Megan, she thought, she's not a fighter like us, she recalled, she needs to be in a body that's safe, she decided, Freeland might mentally be a boy, but at least he and I can fight in every way to escape a situation, she thought, Megan's not made for that, she never was.
Don't get overconfident, Freeland warned.
"I'm doing just fine," Jade said grinning.
Just then a foot appeared out of nowhere and knocked her out.
Shit, Freeland thought and also lost consciousness.
Sonya stood up and grinned.
Just then Lee ran into the room.
"Reinforcements have arriv…" Lee started to announce.
Lee stepped back upon seeing Sonya.
Sonya's eyes flared.
"YOU!" Sonya roared.
Crap, Lee thought.
Just then several AAJ agents burst into the area.
"Give up KND terrorist you're surrounded," they announced.
Sonya grinned.
Upon opening her jacket several explosives were revealed.
Several horrified gasps were head.
"I have one demand," Sonya declared.
"Sonya you can…" Lee started.
"Her," Sonya said pointing at Jade.
"No way!" Lee shouted, "me maybe but Jade?"
"Scared I'll kill your precious girlfriend?" Sonya teased.
Lee glared.
"Don't glare too hard," Sonya said, "one wrong move makes this baby blow up."
"You truly are terrorist," Lee realized.
"This was my plan," Sonya said, "Madame L wouldn't approve it," she revealed.
"So…you defied Madame L?" Lee asked in surprise.
"She'll understand," Sonya said dismissively, "especially when I take in one of your best fighters," she added grinning at Jade.
"No," Lee refused.
"Okay then," Sonya said simply, "I –LO…" she said and two of seven lights on the bomb lit up."
"Okay!" an AAJ agent shouted, "just don't blow us up."
"WHAT!" Lee shouted, "you can't agree to this!"
"I'm sorry kid, the AAJ comes first," the AAJ agent told him.
Sonya grinned and started to drag Jade away.
Freeland started to stir.
Sonya froze; even she knew she couldn't fight either Jade or Freeland on her own.
"Jade, Freeland," the same AAJ agent spoke, "a deal's been struck because Sonya has a bomb attached," he revealed.
WTF! Freeland thought.
"Yes," Sonya said superiorly, "you're now my hostage, and soon a prisoner of the KND."
"Wha…you worthless fuckers!" Freeland started but instead shouted curses realizing the situation, "you sold Jade and I up the river to save your own necks!"
"I told them not to!" Lee shouted as he burst out crying.
Freeland's eyes fell on Lee.
Great, Freeland thought.
"D…Don't cry Lee," Freeland tried to comfort him, "Jade's your girlfriend," he continued, "I'd never let anything bad happen to her," he told Lee.
Lee still cried.
"We just want a deal with the AAJ," Sonya said also not comfortable with Lee crying, "we're not going to do Jade or Freeland any fatal harm".
"Sure bomb girl," another AAJ agent spoke, "we believe you," she added.
Sonya growled.
"I'll never forgive you," Lee said looking Sonya straight into the eye, "you'll die knowing that I hate you," he continued, "I HATE YOU!" he screamed.
Sonya looked at Lee in shock.
After Lee calmed a bit he turned to Lee.
"Bye," Lee said tearfully, "take care of Jade for me."
Freeland gave him a salute.
"It's a promise," Freeland told him.
Sonya soon gained her bearings and dragged Freeland out the building.
Lee's soft crying could be heard inside the building.
Twenty-two Breaking Hearts
Anyone confused about Jade, Freeland and Megan take a peek at chapter 13. Sorry about Wally and Trent's part being so long. The story just mutated on me. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please review.
Recommending to read: Operation: WARFARE by Cyrix, A Juliet Without Her Romeo by Numbeh 013, and Tragic Hero by blackmonday (Animation Emir and I).