Chapter 1-5 - Observation

"Time?"

"4:10"

"That's barely a pass."

Almost three weeks had past since Numbuh 1 boarded the GKND ship. Throughout those few weeks he was subjected to continuous testing by various staff on board from fitness tests to intelligence tests. While feeling driven at the start, Numbuh 1 quickly became disheartened as he continued to hear words of mediocrity from the testers. Barely. Passable. Just made it. Average. It was a whole different league than the Kids Next Door on Earth. He knew from the start that there would most likely be operatives that were much better than him in skill and experience but he couldn't believe, that even for his first time here, that he was simply another normal member compared to other operatives' first times. The testers voiced their discontent plainly as if they didn't care for the new operative. Even Numbuh 1 was starting to have doubts on whether he would be able to do anything here. It was very discouraging.

Alongside Numbuh 1 was Numbuh EB-4000, now inside some sort of small wheeled machine. Like one of those probes used to send to the moon. Walking along the suspended catwalk, they observed the various translucent chambers and the operatives inside them doing this and that. Each chamber served a different purpose. They were huge, covering the majority of the open space inside the spaceship and were lined up next to each other in equal distance. It was something like out of a video game. The level they were on had chambers that accommodated to field training and testing.

"What's the next test?" Numbuh 1 sighed.

"Combat test." EB-4000 spoke. Odd considering there were no speakers in his machine. "It'll be a one on one between you and an unknown opponent. That's all I can say. As usual, medical team is on standby should you get hurt. And you have every right to refuse the test and your position here in the GKND, on the condition you be decommissioned and sent back to Earth. Under special conditions, the test may be postponed with permission from the tester and a high level operative. Any questions?" EB-4000 recited the speech that had to be said before every test.

"...no." It was now a habit for Numbuh 1. This was all routine.

"It looks like we'll finally get to see our new leader in action."

"He won't pass this one."

Root-2 simply said. They all knew that, even though no one wanted to say it out loud. The members of Sector VA anxiously watched Numbuh 1 as he was lead into the testing chamber.

Everyone was surprised when the first round of reports came it. The results were disappointingly mediocre for an operative the GKND said was rated highly by those in Central Command, and the written reports were filled with words of discouragement and chagrin. Naturally, no one wanted to believe that this operative would be the future leader of their own sector. Even though they all knew their sector couldn't last more than a month on field, a sense of pity washed over them as they kept reading the reports that were being sent every day.

"His physical stats are horrendous." Was how Numbuh root-2 aptly put it. Compared to every other operative in the ship, and maybe almost all of the GKND, Numbuh 1 was like...might as well have been a twig. There wasn't a chance he was going to be able to pass a test where pure physical strength was a major factor.

"No abilities either." While not uncommon, those without abilities usually compensated by physical or mental prowess, and at times both. While they were yet to see the more strenuous mental tests, reports showed Numbuh 1 of average intelligence. When put besides the likes of root-2 or Numbuh i it didn't seem all too promising.

This would be Sector VA's first time seeing Numbuh 1 in person...and in action. The four operatives' gazes followed the peculiar Earthling from the one way transparent room perched high above the testing chamber.

"Electro-bot's with him, too." Factor 4 pointed out the metal machine trailing alongside Numbuh 1.

"He doesn't need to be supervising him any longer." root-2 stated. It was true. An escort only needed to be with a new operative for a week at most.

"I'm sensing something...strange. From him." Everyone turned toward Numbuh i who had her eyes closed, deep in concentration. A faint white light was emanating from the ground beneath her. "His aura...is intense. Very intense." The others absorbed this piece of information with interest. If Numbuh i detected an intense aura from a sentient being, it meant they had a lot of emotional capacity. Usually, beings with large amounts of emotional capacity were unable to maintain rational thought and decision making and were more susceptible to reckless actions and irresponsible judgement. Something the GKND did not like one bit. The only operative anyone in this quadrant of the galaxy knew with such an emotional capacity was Numbuh i, but this was because her race's entire being revolved around such an abstract concept. Because of this, they had total mastery over a construct many advanced civilizations were still trying to research to this day.

The reports did say the new operative was more emotionally vulnerable than average, but didn't say by how much. Obviously, they knew now. And it was not welcoming news for Sector VA. However, Numbuh i felt something different from him.

"What are you seeing?" Factor-4 asked tentatively.

"A strong mix of emotions. Hate. Regret. Self-loathing. Despair..." their faces cast down. No one was particularly positive or excited about their new deployment but after hearing all this information about the new recruit, they couldn't help but feel pity toward such a being.

"That's not all though..."

"Huh?"

"He is feeling...determined..."

"Come again?" Everyone's interest was once again piqued.

"He has a strong resolve. Focused. Rigid. He is concentrating intensely, preparing himself for the task ahead. It feels like he is unstoppable but at the same time, ready to embrace the worst to come. Almost as he has already accepted it." The entire statement flies through everyone's heads.

"I don't know what you mean," 5.1 said while activating her sonic emitter, "but his heart is beating really really fast."

"There is also a lot of electrical activity coming from him." Root-2 added.

"Is that from his perseverance? Or his fear?" Numbuh i sensed the instinctual response of fight or flight that was compounded hundreds of times from an intangible power that only she could feel.

No one was unable to comprehend what she was saying. No one had the ability to understand the complexity behind a strong emotional response that this recruit was giving off. Even Numbuh i did not expect such a response. She though only her kind were able to contain and display such intensive, such powerful emotions. What she was watching right in front of her was something very much like herself. In a place that was nearly devoid of the sentiment and attachment she experienced back in her homeworld it was like seeing a shining jewel, untouched by the impurities around it. A surge of excitement surged through her at thought of bonding with someone just like her. Finally, there could be someone to understand her intricate thoughts and feelings. His was a young and immature species, yet he held a potential that far exceeded anyone's wildest imaginations. She felt, no, she needed, to teach him. To guide him. The power she felt from the recruit...In her mind, she now knew why the GKND picked this person.

"He's going to pass. He has to." Numbuh i spoke, the weight of her words felt by her team members even though moments ago they couldn't understand her at all.

"Such feelings will only get him so far though."

That was true. Root-2 was right and Numbuh i knew it. The recruit had no special abilities which meant there was no way for him to utilize the power she just felt before. Without an output where the user can control the energy, it can only reside within uncontrollably. And inside one's body its power is never used effectively.

"Well I didn't get much about what you all just said but I guess this means things should be more exciting than a stomp fest from the other team, right?" Factor 4 asked.

"Not quite. It will most likely remain a 'stomp fest' as you say, but the addition of these unknown variables will make it harder for me to analyse how long he will last in the test chamber." Root-2 tone was unchanging. During the entire conversation he observed Numbuh 1 in great detail. Watching his vitals, checking his body temperature, brain activity, scanning his body physique amongst many other things. He could only reply on reports so much. There could be something wrong or missing with the information, or a critical piece of information was entered incorrectly. His personal observations were the closest to perfect accuracy anyone could get. And root-2 himself knew this. It was not bragging. It was simply a fact.

"So that means there's still zero chance of him passing?"

"Yes. It is merely a question of how long he can stay standing before his physical body gives way to injury."

"That kinda sucks. Was hoping all that meant our new leader wasn't as much as a lanky wimp as we thought." Factor 4 gave a dismissive shrug.

5.1 smirked. "Man, what a bummer. Still nothing going on then, huh? Maybe he's got some weapon like my trusty ol' emitter here. Maybe he's just playing some big joke and at the last second pulls out some superweapon and totally owns this test!"

"Highly unlikely. The weapon must be made personally by the recruit under supervision of a senior operative. Human intelligence develops much slower than average and hits its peak in adulthood. It is impossible for him to make use of the parts and tools that are, rather ironically, easily accessible to him. I have also scanned his body and found no traces of any device that can inflict significant harm against his test opponent."

"You're a real party pooper ya know that, root-2?" 5.1 pouted.

"'Party pooper'? I have never attended such a celebratory event. Or desecrated it with my feces. Such an act sounds highly illogical." root-2 was wearing a face which showed what he said was completely serious. Factor 4 and 5.1 burst out in laughter while Numbuh i hid her face in her hands out of sheer embarrassment. Root-2 showed no change in his manner.

"It's a figure of speech, Rod!" Numbuh i finally said.

"Understood." Root-2 gave a small nod. "I shall-"

A loud beeping sound interrupted the group's shenanigans. Everyone stopped and turned their attention to the test chamber below them spotting the new recruit, and their future leader, standing on one end of the field. He held his stance straight and had both feet firmly on the ground. The field was an open field with no sort of cover or obstacle. Its floor a metallic chrome. From what Numbuh 1 could see, the entire chamber was plain and empty. Numbuh 1 knew that all his previous tests were poor but combat was finally where he could show his skills. The KND on Earth knew his proficiency in hand to hand combat, having been taught previously by former Supreme Commander and fellow GKND candidate Numbuh 274. He was confident he could show his testers that he deserved to be in the GKND. His fists in a tight ball and both eyes stared dead ahead, he waited for his opponent to appear.

Sector VA awaited the test to begin. Each member with a different feeling towards observing this event.

Root-2 stood motionless, arms still by his side, carefully watching the entire field.

i wore a face of hope and concern. Logically, she knew the outcome was inevitable. The recruit would fail. But after seeing...that...a part of her hoped there was a slim chance he could overcome this.

5.1 grabbed a chair and leaned her face against the transparent wall while swinging the chair back and forth, watching with a half serious half aloof expression. Out of the corner of her vision she noticed a small dot of light.

"Ebee! You're watching?" 5.1 turned to face the floating light. The light flickered, dimmed, and shone seemingly randomly though she understood. "No chance! He's toast...What?...Sorry for stating the facts! We don't need some weakling in the team anyway. He's only going to slow us down...Deadweight costs lives, ok? I'm not letting my teammates die because of some incompetent space monkey the higher ups thought 'had potential'...I can't go around protecting everyone. It's not my job...No it's not!...No...Yeah. He's down there...I hope he doesn't beat him up too much. For his sake...It's starting."

Numbuh 1 saw a few flashes of light on the other side of the field. He could make out a person forming from the light starting from his feet. The particles that slowly reassembled the figure looked like some sort of jigsaw puzzle, with lots of minuscule pieces. Gradually they formed the body, arms, fingers, face and hair down to the exact positioning. A bluish glow lingered for a second before what Numbuh 1 can only assume to be his opponent shone back in normal colour. He was suddenly feeling tense. His opponent emitted an air of indifference, like he knew he would already win this match. His stance was loose and gave a show of moving his hands and neck with a loud cracking sound. Even his adversary's clothes were worn to a point where they could simply slip off at any movement. Despite this, Numbuh 1 felt that his opponent wasn't cocky. Somehow, he felt his opponent's confidence was justified. A faint smile crept upon his opponent's face, almost as if he read his mind.

The rules were already explained to Numbuh 1 before the test. Weapons were allowed as long as the recruit constructed it themselves with supervision from a senior operative. Natural abilities were also permitted during the test. Each combatant was to pin their opponent on the ground for a full ten seconds to achieve a victory. However, if combatant is unable to fight any longer the match is automatically won to the other person. Use of lethal force is illegal. The test itself has no time limit.

Factor 4 observed the new recruit with disinterest. Part of him really pitied the operative he was about to fight. He should have said no while he could. This was no place for a species like him. He was a humanoid like himself. The resemblance eerily so, almost as if he was seeing another person from his own planet. But that wasn't true at all. Still, even if his opponent was weak, a fight was a fight and Factor 4 could feel the excitement as his body came to life. Giving a small grin to the new recruit, he focused his mind for the upcoming battle.

Both combatants finally took their stance and waited for the signal for them to begin. Soon, the entire chamber went red and a loud buzzing sound followed, followed by yellow, then a bright white.

"Here we go..."

Factor 4 charged at Numbuh 1 with blinding speed. The Earthling barely registered his movement and managed to dive to the side dodging his attack. Factor 4 ended up slamming against the wall causing a huge explosion of dust. Numbuh 1 quickly got up to his feet only to be met by a searing pain on his backside and the next thing he knew, he was flying across the entire length of the chamber until tumbling and rolling onto the ground. The Earthling coughed repeatedly as the dust continued to enveloped him.

"That is definitely not a good start." 5.1 said.

"A couple of fractured ribs." Root-2 noted.

Dazed from the sheer force of the attack, Numbuh 1 stumbled back onto his feet. He was suddenly lifted up by the collar of his shirt. The dust from the earlier attack covered his opponent's face.

Once again, Numbuh 1 felt himself being thrown to the other side of the chamber where his opponent stood at the start of the test. Now that he could see, Numbuh 1 could now fight back. Ignoring the pain surrounding his body, he stood up once more only to find himself surrounded by four opponents creating a square, with the Earthling in the centre. All of them identical to each other. This wasn't the time to panic now. It was four against one, but he trained for this kind of situation. Quickly regaining his focus, he watched for the slightest of movement.

Two of them from opposite ends charged at him. Numbuh 1 quickly jumped into the air as the two clones collided with each other. One clone then leapt towards him. Right as he approached him, Numbuh 1 grabbed hold of his outstretched fist and, using most of his strength, used the clone's momentum to swing him to the last clone still standing with a roaring shout. However, the throw was too slow and the last clone easily dodged it. As Numbuh 1 landed, the clone ran for his feet and knocked him over. Numbuh 1 was at a severe disadvantage, as his opponent straddled on top of him rendering unable to get up. His opponent was incredibly strong. Numbuh 1 was barely able to move his head away from the Terranian's fist. He blocked the next attempt with both of his arms but the impact instantly made his arms collapse under the sheer strength behind the punch. Numbuh 1's body was aching all over but forced himself to focus, as any result other than a pass was unacceptable. Factor 4's next swing once again missed the Earthling by millimetres. As he prepared for a punch to the stomach, Numbuh 1 mustered all his strength in his arms and held down the fist that had missed him moments before. He then bit into Factor 4's fist as hard as he could.

"Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!" Factor 4 yelped in pain. His grip loosened on him slightly. Seeing an opening in his chest, Numbuh 1 threw a flurry of punches and finished off with an uppercut that threw Factor 4 off of his body.

Numbuh 1 ran towards Factor 4, who was lying on the ground in confusion. Before he could reach him, he felt another searing pain on his side and once again was flung forward, hitting the wall. He lied still as the three other clones who had collected themselves from their temporary daze walked slowly toward him. A clone lifted his limp body and slammed it against the wall. Numbuh 1 groaned as he tried to get himself to open his eyes.

"You did a lot more damage than we thought. We'll give you props for that, kid." The clone said, leaning close toward the Earthling. Despite his words, the clone sounded excited.

"Wait! This isn't right! He's seriously injured and needs medical help. Why isn't anyone stopping this?" Numbuh i was frantic as the scene below her continued.

"It means the testers think he can still fight."

"What!?" Numbuh i turned to root-2 with a bewildered look.

"Look." Root-2 pointed.

The clone that previously held Numbuh 1 against the wall was clutching his forehead in pain. Numbuh 1 was still in extreme pain however, and was on the ground on all fours as he struggled to breathe. The two remaining clones forcefully snatched his arms and while the recruit feebly tried to resist, they lifted him over the air in an arch and slammed his back against the floor with a loud thud.

"He is unconscious." Root-2 spoke.

A loud buzzer filled the chamber.