Sorry everyone, this one took me considerably longer to write than expected, though part of that problem came from the fact that the internet in my house has been complete shit the last month and I've barely been able to use this site let alone check emails or log onto the internet in general. Thankfully thats getting fixed this week, the other problem was that I just couldn't find the right place to cut off this chapter, since the next chapter after this is where I get into all the bits of juicy exposition about the overarching plot and the details behind all the cryptic references I've been making about past events. Because of that, this chapter ended up being another 10,000 word one, and seeing as how the next one is gonna be a doozy, don't expect it anytime soon and when you do, expect it to be closer to 20,000 words, damn I write a ton in each chapter. But I'm getting ahead of myself, lets focus on this chapter by starting with the usual review responses:
Aceshadow: Yeah, while a lot of them are just willing zealots, the higher ups do have legitimate reasons for switching sides, Imnis does too but we'll get to him later. Thats not exactly whats going on, suffice to say the past KND was at least more powerful than the modern KND in some ways. The Confederacy is searching for things related to the Directorate.
jtdarkman: Nice to see your back, don't kick yourself for not sticking around, I take a long time to release chapters.
Jack Cross: Yes and soon we will get into so much more of that, I can hardly wait, can you?
As of this chapter's release I have not gotten any new favorites, however I do have two new followers, so thank you belton180 and Lady Leaf8 for your follows, glad you enjoy the story. Alright then lets get back to it.
"Everyone keeps secrets; there are even some that we keep from ourselves."- Anonymous
Temporary US Army Firebase: 10 Miles Outside Stafford, Virginia
It didn't take long for them to gather necessary supplies. There wasn't much in the way of 2x4 tech scattered around the base, most of which consisted of supercharged laser type weapons and bits of improvised combat armor. Apparently most of the KND's usual arsenal of exotic gadgets and gear had been left behind in favor of basic materials and weapons. Non of which surprised Nigel in slightest, though he did feel odd going out on a mission in full 2x4 armor with only a S.C.A.M.P.P and a modified S.M.E.L.L.M.E.T. on his back. While the rest of the team were gearing up in the command center, Numbah 60 took Nigel and Numbah 2 out back to show them the small assortment of KND craft they had managed to cobble together. There wasn't much to choose from, but in the end Hoagie settled on a good old fashioned S.C.A.M.P.E.R.
Numbah 60 eyed his choice with regret, "we don't have many of these left", he explained, "and knowing that its certainly gonna get destroyed on this mission, well, if it was anyone else, I'd insist you choose another." Numbah 2 shrugged, "sorry Numbah 60, but the S.C.A.M.P.E.R.'s one of our fastest ships, only fighter class ships are faster and I'm pretty sure we can't fit six operatives in one of those things." Numbah 60 sighed and nodded in agreement. It was getting dark, as the other operatives loaded the last of the gear onto the ship, Nigel and the others held a quick strategy session in the command center. Nigel went over the plan one last time, "once we get airborne, we'll head straight for the city, Numbah 2 will fly as high as possible to keep from attracting any attention. Once we're inside the perimeter, we'll execute an immediate nose dive towards the base." Nigel gestured towards the map on the wall of the occupied zone, "Patton scouted AA positions here", he pointed, "here and here." Nigel continued, "we'll come under the heaviest fire during the nosedive, Numbah 2 will hopefully be able to evade the fire long enough for us to reach the treehouse, once there we'll land in the upper hanger bay and then move immediately downstairs into the house. The entrance to the chamber is located in my room, all we need to do it knock on the wood and the door should open, it will close after we're all inside, we should be safe from there. Any questions?"
Everyone shook their heads, "good, we'll leave in ten minutes, gather your gear and meet by the S.C.A.M.P.E.R., don't forgot anything." That last bit inspired smirks all around, "I think you've forgotten who your talking too", boasted Numbah 4, "we are the greatest sector in the KND." Nigel smiled sheepishly, "sorry, I guess I'm a little on edge." Abby smirked and patted him on the shoulder reassuringly, "aren't we all, don't worry about it, we've done this sort of thing lots of times." Nigel glanced at her quizzically, Abby shrugged, "you know what I mean, sure the stakes are different, but come on, its not like this is the first dangerous mission we've been on." Nigel sighed and smiled, "thanks Abby, its weird but, I feel like I've done this before, not like with the KND, but this, this kind of mission, the stakes, it feels... familiar some how." Abby frowned, "are you starting to remember some of the stuff you did with the Confederates?" "No..", Nigel said, thinking back to his visions, "nothing like that, its just... certain things feel familiar. Its like... I'm used to doing these things even though I don't ever remember doing them before."
Abby thought to herself, "maybe its some kind of... I don't know residual, is that the right word? Residual memory, maybe its that." "Maybe", said Nigel anxiously, "maybe... makes me kinda wish I'd had more time to talk to Schmitt, he might have an idea of the kinds of things I did." "If thats the only reason you'd want to see him then he can stay gone for all I care", said Abby with a huff, "that guy was bad news. Still I wonder what happened to him, we don't know if he even made it out of the base?" That was a good question, Nigel realized this was the first time he'd actually wondered about where Schmitt had ended up, he didn't spend much time thinking about it though, Abby was right, good riddance to bad rubbish as his dad would have said.
Nigel was about to go talk to Numbah 2 about the flight plan when it hit him like a hammer in his mind, we will rise from the ashes. We WILL exact our vengeance! Nigel clutched his head, what is that! The voices echoed through his mind, we could not win... and we will not give up! Nigel gritted his teeth, its not a vision, so what is it! He tried to focus, to blot out the cacophony of voices in his head. An image solidified itself in his mind, a dark chamber lit only by distant flashes of fire. He was slumped against a wall, an unknown form hidden by darkness, a massive gate took up his entire vision, looming out of the shadows, on it was... It was gone. Nigel removed his hands from his head and looked around. It was gone, all of it, in the blink of an eye, gone. Am I going crazy?! Abby was still looking at him with concern, "Nigel whats wrong, what was all that?"
Nigel shook his head to clear his thoughts, "what was what?" Abby looked at him skeptically, "you looked like you were in pain for a second, is something wrong with your head? Could be the injury you got back at Arctic Base." "Yeah", said Nigel in a noncommittal tone, "must be, hey Abby, I'm gonna take a minute and go clear my head, take over for me would you." Abby smirked, "just don't take a year this time." Nigel gave an unconvincing smile and wandered out of the room out towards the edge of the base. Rachel looked up from her preparations to watch him go. When she turned back she found Abby staring at her. "What?", she asked curiously, Abby gestured theatrically towards the door. Rachel caught on, "what.. me?!" Abby rolled her eyes, "yes you, go talk to him!" "Why me", she exclaimed in surprise, "you know why", exclaimed Abby in exasperation. "But.. I... he..", Rachel stammered, "oh for the love of...", Abby muttered under her breath. She grabbed Rachel and shoved her out the door, "don't think about it just go", she said adamantly and shut the door.
Abby huffed and turned around to find Numbah's 2 and 4 smirking at her. "And just what are you two foos looking at", she shouted with annoyance. The two boys grinned at each other, "from the looks of things", said Numbah 2 teasingly, "you trying to set up Numbah 362 with our fearless leader." Abby opened her mouth to reprimand the two, but then stopped herself and thought about it for a moment, "so what if I was, whats it to you two?" "Don't you think your being a bit too... hasty", said Numbah 4 with an equally teasing tone. Numbah 5 snorted, "oh thats rich coming from you Numbah 4. Seriously though, you both know whats been going down between those two, if it was up to them they'd dance around each other till the end of time, so yeah, I gave it a little push." The two continued smirking, Numbah 5 groaned, "oh forgot it." As she walked past them, the two boys looked at each other and then they started singing, "Rachel and Nigel sittin in a tree. K.I.S.S.I.." "You realize", called Abby over her shoulder, "that if either of them hear you singing that they'll come right back here and mop the floor with your faces." The boys stopped and looked at each other nervously, "lets leave it at I", said Numbah 2. They stared out the window to where Nigel and Rachel could be seen sitting on the edge of the camp together, "I'll bet you a quarter he blows it", whispered Wally, "your on", whispered back Hoagie with a grin.
Unknown Location
Thousands of miles away, in a place that had never seen the light of day, a figure stirred in the shadows. The chamber he rested in was spacious, but pitch black. Several passages led off from the main chamber towards places unknown, down one of these passages, a dim fire flashed lazily in the dark, briefly illuminating the passage and some of the chamber beyond before vanishing into blackness. The fire flashed again, brighter than before, illuminating the chamber just enough so that the growing pool of blood beneath the figure's form dimly reflected the glare before once again plunging the chamber into darkness. The figure stirred once more, he had been asleep, foolish considering his current condition.
What had woken him? He pondered this for the briefest moment before the answer came to him: the connection. He thought back across the ages, how long had it been since he'd felt that connection, that subtle tug at the corners of his mind. But who... who could have opened that connection. Not them, they were all dead, even though they're ghosts still haunted him, they were still dead. Then who...who else was there? Not the one slumped in the passageway, the one from whom the dim fire emanated. He had been here a long time, much longer than the shadowy figure, he had lived here for quite some time. And I always wondered where he disappeared to, thought the figure with amusement. He had the capacity to use the connection, but like so many of his kind, was blind to the true power of his gift. He did not have the knowledge to use the connection, but then who did that leave...
It hit him and he did not like it one bit. "Oh you have got to be kidding me", the figure sputtered through parched lips. The dim fire suddenly sparked and became brighter, it's bearer stirred in his slumber. The figure halted all further speech and sat perfectly still, not making a sound. Soon the fire dimmed and the wanderer went back to his slumber. The figure mentally kicked himself, if that bastard finds me here theres little I can do in my current state, I must stay quite, at least until I regain my strength.
The figure's right hand was clenched over the wound in his side, it had stopped bleeding, but still hurt like hell and was totally exposed through the gaping hole in his uniform. An hour more maybe less, is all I should need, calculated the figure, while I'm waiting I might as well confirm my theory. The figure reached out across the connection and brushed the edges of the mind which had startled him from his slumber. He had not done this in years, but when all the recesses of your memory lie bare before you like an open book, there is little you cannot relearn. Careful not to attract the attention of the boy's mind, the figure's consciousness danced across the outer layers of the boy's memory, quietly extracting all the information he needed, even some things the boy himself no longer knew.
His task complete, the figure withdrew his consciousness back across the connection to his own mind and began analyzing the data he had collected. There could be no doubt. Well Nigel Uno, thought Schmitt as he lay bleeding in the dark chamber, seems there is more to you than meets the eye. Schmitt mentally shifted through the memories he had collected, much of it was unimportant, flashes of friendly conversation, a mission or two, brief glimpses of a girl, not Rachel though, someone else, someone much chubbier. Schmitt discarded the useless memories in annoyance and turned to the real meat of his labors. Nigel's memories of the Confederacy.
Schmitt delved into these memories, he saw Nigel's training, his first mission, the base he was stationed at and... That can't be! Schmitt saw Nigel's commander, a boy he had never imagined he'd see again. So Kreller, you survived, but how? And now your a Confederate, I shouldn't be surprised and I can't blame you, Tyr was my blunder, sending you to that plateau... Well this will be awkward indeed my old friend. The shadowy figure in the passage stirred, the fire blazed and the darkness shrank back. Aww crap, not now! The figure stretched and looked around the chamber and extended his hand, fire blazed forth and the shadows began to melt away. Using the minimum amount of energy possible, Schmitt flexed his fingers and sharp bang echoed down the passageway behind the figure.
He whirled around and immediately stalked off to investigate; shadows once again covered the chamber in his wake. Schmitt managed a grin at his small victory and returned to studying Nigel's memories, ignoring the angry howls of the blazing figure as he restlessly stalked the endless underground chambers.
Temporary U.S. Army Firebase: 10 Miles Outside Stafford, Virginia
The final preparations were complete, the last of the gear had been loaded and everyone on the team was aboard. All that was left was to saw goodbye. A small crowd, mostly KND operatives, though the Tolietnator and a few adult soldiers, including private Ramirez, who had freshened up from earlier, had gathered around the lone S.C.A.M.P.E.R., which had been moved to the edge of the camp. Nigel and Rachel met with Patton, Matt and the Tolietnator at the doorway to the ship, sector V had already said their goodbyes and were waiting inside. Matt offered Nigel the Book of KND, "it is yours after all", said Matt humbly, "I was just looking after it." Nigel gave a small smile and shook his head, "the Book of KND belongs to all KND operatives, I can't think of anyone better to hold on to it, besides I don't want to risk it on this mission anyway." Matt beamed with pride and wished them good luck before sprinting back to his tent, no doubt to write Nigel's exact words in his diary.
"I'm surprised you didn't insist on coming along Patton", commented Rachel. Patton sighed and gave a teasing grin, "I'd love to come but, I don't think these guys could manage without me." "That", added the Toiletnator, "and the fact that your going on what is most probably a suicide mission." All three of them glared at the Toiletnator, who just put up his hands and said, "I'm just saying." Patton gave him a mean look but then softened and said, "he's right you know, if Matt's wrong, which is entirely possible, you'll be stuck in the middle of the zone or underground, surrounded by Confederates with no way out."
Nigel and Rachel looked uncomfortable, "try not to remind us", said Nigel, "but this is all we've got and I'd much rather go out in a blaze of glory than sit and rot in Russia with Schmitt." "Well good luck to you then", said the Toiletnator with an unfittingly cheerly look as he strode back towards the camp. Patton watched him go, turning back to the two he said, "level with me guys, theres really no way out of this is there?" Nigel held up Schmitt's logbook, "well it does say..." "I don't care what it says", snapped Patton, "didn't you just say you'd rather die than follow Schmitt? No, based on what you've seen so far and what you know right now, tell me, is there any way out of this? Cause the way I see it, no matter how many plans we come up with, we can't beat them all and even if we do, whats stopping that fleet in orbit from just pounding us all into pulp?"
Nigel and Rachel shared a solemn glance, "you're right Patton", said Rachel sadly, "right now, there is no way out of this, which is why we have to do this. We have to have a hope, or the alternative like Nigel said is to just go and rot in Russia with the rest of the KND." Patton sighed once more, "well then, by all means good luck to you both." Nigel and Rachel nodded, they turned to leave. "Wait!" The three of them turned to see Numbah 86 running out of the crowd towards them, "wait up, I'm coming too!" "Wait, WHAT!?", exclaimed Patton incredulously. "You heard me", snapped Fanny as she came level with them, "I'm going." Patton sputtered, "but... you... why... no. NO NO NO!" He grabbed her by the shoulders and began pushing her back towards the camp, "your not going anywhere, your not even fully recovered yet!"
"Get off me ya stupid boy", she exclaimed angrily, "I'm going and thats final!" "But why", Patton exclaimed with confusion, "you must know this is a suicide mission, why volunteer for this?" "They're going aren't they", Fanny pointed angrily, "why can't I?" "Thats sector V", shot back Patton with frustration, "this is what they always do, you..." "My father's dead Patton", said Fanny solemnly, "and my mother is probably too, what am I supposed to do when this ends? IF this ends? Besides my brothers, I have no more family, and I refuse to become an orphan!" "You don't have to be an orphan", Patton sputtered, "the KND will look after you, I'll look after you, you don't have to do this..." "That boy", Fanny said quietly, "that boy who killed my father, he was in Washington wasn't he?" Patton shook his head, "Fanny don't do this..." Nigel and Rachel watched this display of emotion with growing embarrassment. "If I go", she said, "I may get a chance to avenge him, even if I don't I'll be doing a lot more than skulking around the hills here with you and your band of misfits."
"You mean that general, Arthurs?" Patton was skeptical, "that broadcast was over a day ago, he's probably moved on by now and even if he hasn't, he's the general, you'd never get within a mile of him." "I don't expect you to understand", Fanny said irritatedly, "your parents aren't dead! Patton was about counter with a blistering retort, but he bit it back and with some difficulty, said through gritted teeth, "fine, go and get yourself killed, see if I care." Fanny gave a satisfied humph and strode past him towards the door. Before she could enter, Patton, lightning fast, whipped out a small device and slammed it against the back of her neck. Fanny instantly went limp and crashed to the floor, unconscious. Nigel and Rachel started and were about to react with hostility when they noted that the device was one of the fleet's medical not-shot injectors. Patton ejected the spent fluid vial onto the grass next to him and reached down to pick up Fanny.
"I do care", he said softly, more to himself than to Nigel and Rachel, "more than you'll probably ever know." Addressing Nigel and Rachel he said, "I couldn't let her go, not like this, she needs more time to think, to... deal with the loss." Nigel and Rachel didn't know what to say, so they both just nodded in assent. Patton's smile was pained, "she's gonna throttle me when she wakes up. You'll be on your way now right?" The two nodded again and boarded the ship. Patton stared up at it as it rose steadily through the clouds in the night sky and disappeared. Looking down at Fanny's unconscious form in his arms he smiled again and, shaking his head, said to himself, "what am I gonna do with you Fulbright?"
KND S.C.A.M.P.E.R: On approach to Washington Defense Perimeter
Everyone was tense as they approached the outskirts of the perimeter, Numbah 2 was flying straight and steady, well above the cloud cover, but they all knew that wouldn't do much good once they crossed into radar range, or whatever the Confederacy used to track ships in atmosphere. Nigel and Rachel had chatted briefly about Patton and Fanny after boarding the ship, but there wasn't much that could be said and both of them thought it best to put the matter to rest till they could have a proper conversation. All talk ceased as soon as the ship crossed into Confederate airspace.
At first nothing happened, then warning lights began flashing on the dashboard and streams of fire began arcing up out of the clouds below. "Well they've definitely seen us", said Hoagie nonchalantly as he through the ship through a series of tight banks and turns to avoid the streams of AA fire. "How close are we too target", asked Nigel, in his usual cool and composed tone. "Another minute", shouted back Hoagie, "but it's getting harder for me too... WHOA!" Hoagie had veered the ship sharply to the left to avoid hitting a small black object floating in the sky. The object turned, tracking his course and suddenly sprouted engines from its sides and banked towards the ship, a thin red laser beam suddenly lanced from its tip towards the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. "Homing missile", asked Nigel with concern. "No", replied Hoagie with apprehension, "I don't think so..."
A dull whine sounded throughout the cabin, "crud, they have missile lock", yelled Numbah 2 with a hint of panic, "that thing must be a spotter drone of some kind." Out of the clouds steamed three missiles, which immediately began banking towards their ship. "Evasive maneuvers", ordered Numbah 1, "I can't, we're too close to target, we'll miss our window", yelled out Numbah 2. Nigel thought for a split second, "take us down", "we're too earlier, just a few more seconds", called back Hoagie, his face was set. Nigel looked back at the missiles, "we're not gonna last a few more seconds, take us down, NOW!" Hoagie cursed and threw the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. down out of the clouds towards the city below.
As they plunged out of the clouds the Confederate gunners locked their sights on them and the streams of AA fire intensified. The ship rattled and shook and despite being strapped in the operatives inside were whiplash left and right from Hoagie's evasive maneuvers. Despite everything they were almost there, Nigel could see the treehouse growing larger and larger through the view screen as they got closer. Nigel looked back, the missiles were almost on them, "can this thing go any faster?" "This is as fast as it goes", screamed Hoagie, he looked back, the missiles were inches from their rear, "brace yourselves!" The missiles hit and blew out the back of the craft, the dashboard sparked and gauges blew out as the electrical feedback overloaded the instruments. Hoagie grappled with the controls, they had lost all engines and there was now a gaping hole in the back of the S.C.A.M.P.E.R., but he could still maneuver. The treehouse loomed ahead. "Here we go", he yelled and thrust the wheel down, the craft sped like a bullet heading straight for the wide open doors of the upper landing bay.
Then another missile hit and they were thrown off course, heading straight for the trunk of the tree. They collided with a spectacular explosion, Nigel was blinded by the flash of light and felt burning heat on his skin, then a terrible wrenching, crunching sound as the ship tore its way through the bark and into the treehouse proper. The craft stuck in the treehouse towards the bottom half of the trunk and the force of the crash nearly hurled the occupants from their seats and buckled the iron walls of the ship. Then all was darkness. For a moment Nigel thought he was dead, then sound returned to the world and he could hear the groans of his comrades, the crackle of flames licking at the remains of the engines and the distant echoing thud and chatter of the Confederate AA guns as they finished their volleys and faded into silence.
Nigel forced his eyes open and attempted to take stock of their situation. Most of the ship had been either blasted away by AA fire or had been torn off during the crash, all that remained was the fuselage and a crumpled cone of what had been the cockpit. They had barely made it. Numbah 2 had been thrown from his seat during the final stages of the crash, but he had managed to grab onto a piece of bent metal in the deck before being thrown out out the gaping hole in the back, however he had apparently passed out from the effort. Numbah's 4 and 5 had sustained minimal injuries from the crash and they were conscious, but appeared to be in shock and seemed to not be fully aware of they're surroundings yet. Rachel was a bit dazed and had a nasty gash on her leg from a flying piece of metal, but didn't seem too worse for wear. Numbah 3 had passed out in her seat.
Nigel unbuckled himself from the seat and fell to the deck on his hands and knees. He had been sitting on the command dais in the center of the cabin and because of that had apparently sustained more damage than the others, his legs hurt like hell and one of his arms was so numb he couldn't feel it. With a pang of horror he checked and was relieved to see that it was still there. Groggily he forced himself to his feet and began unstrapping the others, Rachel likewise did the same and then stooped to the deck to pick up the unconscious Hoagie. Nigel unbuckled Abby and Wally and had to shake them up a little before they finally came too and realized what was going on. He pointed to Numbah 3, whereupon Wally promptly unbuckled her and began carrying her bodily towards the door. With what little strength he had left, Nigel kicked open the door of the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. and thrust the unconscious Hoagie out into the passageway beyond.
The S.C.A.M.P.E.R. had ended up somewhere between levels, they were in a series of blank corridors, the kind that ran up and down the length of the treehouse, providing easy access to all the important rooms and play areas. After having dumped the unconscious Kuki into the passage as well, Nigel and the others did a quick, but thorough check of the ship for any gear that might remain. What they found pitifully few pieces left, mostly dried fruit rations that had been stashed in the cupboards and a few power packs for the laser weapons. Most of the other gear had been thrown out the back, fortunately everyone still had their armor and S.C.A.M.P.P.s on their backs as well as their S.M.E.L.L.M.E.T.s.
Returning to the corridor, Wally, who was still a little dazed from the crash asked,"so what now?" "We have to push on", replied Nigel, "the Confederates must have seen the crash, troops are probably already on the way to survey the crash site, we have to make it to the tunnels before they get here." Giving Rachel a hand, they supported the unconscious Hoagie between them and began dragging him down the hallway, Wally and Abby did the same with Kuki. After several minutes of struggling, pulling the obese operative down the hall, the two pairs made it to the central command center. Nigel had to stop for a moment and take in the view, he was finally back, after so long he was finally back. Everything was just as he left it and if felt as if he had never left. That thought took him by surprise, what if I never did leave, he asked himself.
What if this has all been a dream, I can't remember the Confederates anyway, so what if I've just been dreaming this all along... He closed his eyes for a second to take it in... and was violent thrown back into reality as a missile impacted on the side of the command center, blowing out the window and tearing a massive hole in the side of the treehouse. A trio of Confederate gunships hovered in the air outside, weapon pods glowing as they prepared to open fire. Yeah, probably not a dream, thought Nigel sullenly as he bounded across the room to join his friends on top of the central stage. The gunships opened up, peppering the platform with laser fire just as the stage dropped away into the elevator shaft. Nigel breathed a sigh of relief, I gotta stop doing that, good thing the hamster generators are still online though. Turning to his comrades he saw they were all studying him closely, "what he", he asked with a hint of irritation. Numbah 5 folded her arms and said, "we'll leave it for now, but lets just say we gotta have a serious talk about your... problems." "Guys I'm fine, quit worrying", said Nigel, trying to make it sound casual. The others were unconvinced, "somethings been going on with you ever since the Arctic Base", continued Numbah 5, "and whatever it is, its seriously messing with your head, you sure theres nothing you wanna tell us about?"
Nigel was about to say no, but then he thought back to the visions, the glimpses of war and destruction and that banner, that gold banner with the eagle of red, why could he not get that out of his head? "There is something", he said carefully, "but its noting that important, I'll fill you in as soon as we're safe." "Where does this elevator lead", asked Rachel, "this one? Its the main elevator down into the house below", responded Nigel, "thankfully this one leads to the hallway right off my room, it shouldn't take more than a few second to get to the tunnels from here. A few seconds later the elevator reached the bottom of the shaft and portion of the wall slid open to reveal the dimly lit interior of the house beyond. Nigel forced himself to resist another bout of nostalgia as they charged down the hallway of his house and into his room. Abby locked the door behind them as Nigel swiftly located the hidden hatch and thrust it open to reveal the dark well that led to down to the chamber. They were running out of time, he could already hear soldiers rushing flooding the lower parts of the house, booted feet racing up the stairs and down the hallway towards his unprotected door.
Nigel was frantic, he gestured for the others to jump through the hatch, one after another they did, Rachel pushed Hoagie through and then jumped down onto the slide below, followed closely by Abby, Kuki and Wally. Nigel was the last to leave, he could hear fists banging on the door behind him and then the rapid retort of laser weapons punching through his door as he bounded in the chamber and down the slide. The hatch shut immediately after him and he plunged feet first into the darkness. He hit bottom and sprawled across the ground in a dog pile with the rest of his friends. Nigel sighed with relief again, this time confident that they were truly safe.
Suddenly a bright light blinded him and filled the dimly lit chamber with a warm, flickering glow. Nigel averted his eyes, "I say, what are all you kids doing down here?" Nigel froze, he recognized that voice, how could he ever forgot it. Turning around slowly, he saw that the blinding light was coming from a match, a match that was held by non other than his father. "Dad?" Nigel asked in astonishment, "is that you?" "Well of course not young chap, I'm not your father."
Up Above in the House
Arthurs surveyed the crash site via remote holo-drone from the safety of his command center. The fact that a KND vessel had managed to make it through their defense screen was bad enough but if Kreller's report had been accurate, the possibilities surrounding its cargo were much worse. The interface back in the command center allowed Arthurs' hologram a full range of movement and he casually strode through the front door as squads of soldiers broke it down and quickly flooded the house, searching every nook and cranny. Up above, the gunship trio had inserted more squads of soldiers into the command center through the gaping hole in the side and were now fanning out to scan the vast bulk of the treehouse for life sign readings.
Arthurs quickly accessed the video recordings from the gunship's weapon cam, his eyebrows met as he beheld who had infiltrated his city. That was Uno all right, his theory was confirmed. The drone's audio receiver picked up weapons fire from the upper portions of the house and Arthurs moved upstairs to discover the source. He found a squad of troops combing the interior of a small, boy's bedroom. The sergeant of the squad saluted and quickly explained what was going on, "we picked up life sign reading coming from this room sir, the door was locked from the inside when we got up here, we had to shoot it open. When we go inside though there was no one here and the readings have now gone dead."
"Interesting", Arthurs mused about this, activating a holo-screen in the command center, he opened a communication line with the Harbinger and instructed the ship's captain to conduct a thorough deep scan of the area surrounding the house. The results he received were quite interesting. Returning to the holo-interface, Arthurs gestured to the squad sergeant, who ordered his men to open fire on the tree trunk lodged in the corner of the room. The lances of laser energy cut apart the bark and blasted the hidden hatch from its hinges. Arthurs was grinning like wolf as he ordered the sergeant to move his men into the chamber below.
Below
Nigel was shocked by his father's words, but then he recalled what Rachel had told him on the flight across the Atlantic, they didn't remember your friends or you, she had said, it was like they were decommissioned. Nigel was crushed, he shouldn't have expected anything less, but to hear those words from his own Father, his hero... well there was nothing that could prepare him for that. Nigel forced himself to look away and said sullenly, "no your right, your not my dad, sorry I must have confused you with someone else." "Well thats all right old bean", Monty said jollily, "but I'm wondering, how did you find this place, took me weeks to discover it existed." The rest of sector V, the ones still conscious that is, had already dusted themselves off from the fall and, seeing the uncomfortable situation that was going on, had wisely moved to the other side of the chamber and were now clustering around the door to the tunnels, coaxing the unconscious operatives back to life.
"Lets just say, it was all by accident", replied Nigel carefully, "why are you down here? And wheres mo... I mean your wife?" "I'm surprised you knew that", exclaimed Monty, "are you one of those new neighbors from next door?" "Sure", said Nigel dismissively, "but how did you get down here?" "Funny story really", replied Monty cheerfully, "I was searching through that peculiar room that just appeared in the house about two years ago, when I found this secret walk in closet in the back. Wonderful really, I've been using it as a storage room, then a couple of days ago, I heard explosions going off in the city. I assumed it was another of those terrorist bombings and when the alert sirens started going off I hid down here for safety. Fortunately the wife's overseas visiting some relatives for the week, good thing too, she gets dreadfully anxious when these things happen."
Nigel breathed a sigh of relief, well at least she has a chance. He was about to inquire further when he heard weapons fire coming from upstairs, followed closely by the hatch to the chamber tumbling down out of the air and slamming into the ground at the foot of the slide, startling Monty. "My word", he exclaimed, just as another voice rang out from above, "move into the chamber, find them!" Nigel frantically scanned the room, but was relieved to see that the others had heard and had already begun moving deeper into the tunnels. Nigel turned back to his dad, "listen da... I mean Mr. Uno, you need to come with us, theres a... a panic room down here I know of." Monty's eyebrows raised in surprise, "you've been down here before?" "yeah", replied Nigel dejectedly, as he grabbed Monty's arm, "once." "Well alrighty then", agreed Monty as Nigel dragged him across the room.
Nigel made it across the room just as he heard the first pairs of boots touch ground behind him. He shoved his dad through the opening and followed after him, expecting laser fire to follow shortly after. It didn't, Nigel didn't stop to wonder why, he just kept on running, pushing his dad down the tunnel as he went. Back in the chamber, Arthurs' troops were holding position outside the tunnels as the general inspected the entrance. He knew what he was looking for, the solidified hologram allowed him to brush aside the dirt and dust covering the walls of the tunnel, exposing the object beneath. A battered, worn plate of iron with the words, Network Access Tunnel C-12, punched into the side, barely visible beneath the rust and grime of the ages. Arthurs' smiled to himself, so some of the old tunnels survived after all, I thought as much. Turning to the sergeant, he gave sharp orders, "plant charges, seal the tunnel, make sure its completely closed off before leaving." The sergeant saluted and he and his men went to work readying the entrance for demolition.
Arthurs cut the feed and opened a com line to Kreller, who was already in flight to his objective. "Sub commander", he began, "you're going to have some company when you arrive..."
Nigel felt the explosion as much as he heard it. The shockwave rocked the tunnel and the walls shook so much he feared they'd collapse. They must have been stronger than they looked, not a crack could be seen in the ceiling after the blast wave faded. Nigel caught up to his friends a few seconds later, they were waiting for him at a fork in the tunnel. The tunnel they were in was lit, dimly so, but lit, by a series of overhead christmas lights that ran the length of the ceiling, half of which had gone out after the explosion, the other tunnel was not lit and faded from view into an almost oppressive darkness. The tunnel was wide enough that he and his father could walk side by side with several feet of spare room on either side and he quickly overtook his father as his friends ran up to greet him.
"We heard the explosion, are you two alright", asked Rachel worriedly. Nigel shook his head, "we're fine, they didn't even shoot at us, though I'm pretty sure that explosion sealed the tunnel behind us." "So what happens now", asked Numbah 2, who was still a little worse for wear after the crash. "Well theres only one way to go now", said Nigel matter-of-factly, "forward." He indicated the two tunnels, "the one we're on now leads to Father's mansion, the one on the left, leads someplace else... so we take that one." Monty was busy scrutinizing the kids, "I say, your the bunch of young rascals who keep visiting the house, are all newcomers to the neighborhood?" Everyone gave dismissive replies as Nigel led them down the dark passageway, they all flicked their helmet lights on.
The passage was just as old as the other, but not quite as well kept, cobwebs hung in the upper corners of the ceiling and the ground was littered with dust and bits of debris. Unlike the other one, numerous side tunnels branched off this one, leading off into the darkness to places unknown. The tunnel wound on and on, sloping downward as it wove its way into the earth. After about ten minutes of walking, Nigel and the others reached the end of the tunnel, which expanded into a large chamber. Their lights weren't powerful enough to light the whole room, so Nigel popped a few flares and threw them around the room, allowing them to see deeper into the chamber. The room, as it turned out, was a railway station of some kind. The interior of the chamber was shaped like that of a metro station, two lines of tracks sat side by side in a depression in the floor, flanked on either side by a raised platform on which travelers might safely stand.
There weren't any benches though, instead rusty, wheel driven carts lay strewn across the platforms and stacks of empty, broken wooden boxes were piled in the corners of the room. The platform hooked around on one side, forming a U shape, so that both rail lines led off in the same direction and on the far platform, visible from the tunnel, was what looked like a bridge toll booth. Also on the far platform, adjacent to the booth was a large iron gate, ten feet in height and nearly twenty across that was locked in place by a series of old, rusty, but strong looking, bolts. Surprisingly, a single rail car lay nestled in the dock, though like everything else it looked quite old and barely functional.
"This place sure doesn't look like it was built by the KND", commented Numbah 5 dryly. "Yeah", said Numbah 2 with a touch more interest, "looks more like the inside of one of those old WW2 bunkers they showed us in school. Look at the cradles on some of these carts, they look like they're meant to carry shells." "Well", considered Nigel, "that would make sense, the entry in the Book of KND said they had been fighting a war and if our legends are correct, its said they were fighting the adults for dominance, maybe the place above us was once a base of some kind, probably an artillery base if these carts were meant to carry shells."
While this was going on Numbah's 2 and 4 moved across the room to inspect the rail car, while Monty pushed to the front of the group to get a better look of the room. "I say, this is quite an odd looking panic room, looks more like a museum exhibit to me." "Thats because we're not there yet", replied Numbah 5 with a hint of annoyance. Turning to Nigel she said in an undertone, "kinda wish we didn't have to drag his butt around with us." Nigel nodded, he was equally annoyed but he knew it was this or leave his dad back with the Confederates and that wasn't an option at all. Numbah 2 was busy poring over the rail car, while Numbah 4 inspected the toll booth, he suddenly called out for Nigel to come look at something. Running over, Nigel saw that the toll booth taken up completely by a large map display, that seemed to list various tunnels, branching out in multiple directions. The tunnel map was superimposed over a vague map of the U.S., what Nigel took to be stations were displayed on the map as what looked like LED lights, while tunnels were marked by long weaving cords of bronze metal.
Numbah 4 was pointing to a single dot on the far side of the map, to the single bulb that was lit up. The indicated bulb was the largest on the map and was surrounded by a small disk of gold, with crenellated edges and starburst patterns that made it look like the center of a sun. "This whole thing is a map of the tunnel networks and if they run all across the country like this map shows, they must have run under all the KND's territory back in the day." "I can't believe these tunnels run all across the country", Nigel was astonished, "how has no one ever excavated on of these?" Numbah 4 shrugged and instead of answering, drew Nigel's attention back to the golden star, "if they ran under the KND's territory, I'm guessing this was the capital of that territory, there used to be tags next to each of these but I guess they were worn away or scratched off years ago, still this place looks pretty important." "Yeah", agreed Nigel, "but according to this map, its all the way in Nevada, we certainly can't walk there, which means we're gonna need a set of wheels."
Nigel's mind was set, "alright then thats our destination, NUMBAH 2?" "yeah", responded the operative from under the rail car, "please tell me that thing can still move." Hoagie pulled himself out from underneath the machine and brushed the dirt and grime from his hands on his trousers, "I think so, I'm made a few tweaks so she should run now, but she's pretty old, I don't she has more than one trip left in her." "Good thing I already know our target", replied Nigel confidently, to the others he said, "everyone get on board the car!" The car was wide, as was the rail, and could easily fit the entire group, while it wasn't open topped, it did have open windows, though the driver's compartment was sealed. Numbah 2 was the last to hoist himself aboard, when he got on he immediately moved to the front and wrenched open the driver's compartment, seating himself in the compartment's sole swivel chair.
"This cart's battery powered", he explained, as he manipulated the simple controls to set their destination, "I used one of our superchargers to give it a boost, but even if this trip doesn't wear out the battery, we still might breakdown on the way there, so I hope no one had any stops or detours planned." He finished inputing the coordinates and pulled the start lever, the car gave a small cough as the ancient engine started up. The battery box under the carriage hummed as the supercharger fed energy to the car's corroded old power cells. The car started forward with a jolt and the horrible sound of screeching old metal as the ancient rusted wheels moved for the first time in centuries.
Numbah 2 hit a switch and the car's headlights flickered on, lighting the way through the dark tunnels as they slowly made their way to the ancient KND capital. The car picked up speed and soon they were racing down the ancient tunnels. Nobody said much, it was going to be a long journey.
Ancient KND Tunnels: 2 Days Later
Nigel and the others were relieved beyond words when the rail car finally pulled into the capital rail station. After nearly two days of sitting and waiting on their little island of a rail car they had nearly gone stir crazy, numerous times during the trip they had briefly passed through other rail stations, but each time the short change in scenery was cut abruptly short and replaced by more endless dark tunnels. The monotony of the endless tunnels had forced them to find things to do with their time, luckily Numbah's 4 and 2 had stacks of yipper cards stashed in their packs they'd scavenged from Patton's camp and a long series of increasingly competitive games ensued. Even the girls had jumped in after awhile, Nigel had been surprised to learn that Rachel could be viciously competitive pushed the right way.
So the long and somewhat boring trip came to a close, with everyone in quite higher spirits than when they'd began. Nigel could scarcely remember the last time he had had a chance to just sit down and have some fun with his friends. Unfortunately they had nearly run through their limited supply of rations on the trip and none of them them were too sure when they'd get a chance to restock. Monty had mostly kept to himself during the trip, he no longer seemed to believe their assertions that they were heading to a panic room, but he hadn't made attempts to escape or resist them. He had seemingly resigned himself to their company until further notice or so it appeared.
Nigel tried not to worry about him too much as they pulled into the capital station. This station was much larger than the one in which they had departed, though it wasn't any more well kept or well lit, it bore signs that it had once been extremely lavish. The station was so large that even their car's headlights could not pierce the gloom completely, for three dozen different sets of tracks led into the station. The tracks were separated into sets of two, several lines continued on in the opposite direction, so this station did not have a singular U shaped platform. Instead, of each set of two tracks was bordered on either side by a long rectangular platform that stretched the length of the station, each set of platforms was connected to the next by a series of high, steeply inclined bridges that reached high above the track and over to the next platform, just high enough for a medium sized freight car to pass underneath. The station had a high vaulted ceiling that tapped off into a small inverted dome at the top, within in which rested an unlit crystal sphere, no doubt some sort of light source. The bridges were elaborately decorated with carved handrails and patterns inlaid with silver and gold. The walls and ceilings each bore similar patterns, several tapering off into a strange symbol, that vaguely resembled an eagle with two heads and an arrow running vertically through the center, so it sprouted out between the two heads. Worn, moth eaten banners hung from the ceilings, covering the walls at evenly spaced intervals. Most were too faded or moth eaten to read, but what few remained bore the same eagle symbol, others bore a starburst pattern with twin arrows crisscrossed across the center and a moon of pure silver in the middle.
Despite the age and dilapidated nature of the station, they all gasped at the glory of it all, the tarnished splendor this room displayed. And this is just a train station, thought Nigel as they disembarked the broken rail car, imagine what the rest of the KND must have looked like in the old days. Thinking out loudly he said, "this is unlike the KND, to be so grand and ornamental, we usually aren't ones to grandstand like this." "You gotta remember though", contested Rachel, "this is the KND of ancient days, from a time when the KND really did hold power over the world, instead of just watching over it. I'd be surprised if they didn't show off a little." Nigel shrugged, it was true, if history had proven anything it was how much empires loved to grandstand.
After crossing the vast series of bridges and platforms, the group now stood at the entrance to the rest of the underground facility. Nigel noticed as they left the station that piles of decomposing fabric and in some places, piles of dust, were strewn across the platform. He couldn't be sure what they were, but they looked vaguely like old clothes and bags, curious, he thought. They followed the corridor for a few meters before the tunnel opened up into a modestly sized room, that was as equally decorated as the station before it. Here, three routes led away from the room: straight ahead, a series of stairs and moving platforms that were reminiscent of modern escalators, cut diagonally up to what had certainly once been the KND's capital city, but this way had been blocked off by a cave in and there appeared to be no way through. Two other passages led off on either side of the room to places unknown, though both had gates and security booths installed, showing that both ways had at one point been inaccessible to the general public.
Nigel was about to start through the door on his left when he felt a subtle tug at the edge of his mind. Nothing like the visions from earlier, but something all the same. It was almost like an urge had been placed upon him, for now the last thing he wanted to do was walk through the left exit. He turned and walked towards the right side exit, the others followed. Jumping over the low hanging gate, he saw a faded iron plate embedded in the wall. He couldn't make out half of what it said but the first half read, !HALT! Military Access..., it was illegible after that but Nigel reasoned the whole thing was one of those "Military access only, keep out!" signs.
The tug at the corner of his mind persisted and he followed the corridor, as it ran down deeper into the facility. The others chatted amongst themselves but no one questioned his decision, he was fine with that. The tug at the edge of his mind guided them through ancient storage bays, rusting old workout rooms and even a few rooms that looked like military barracks. They walked for what seemed like miles until they finally they reached a door that read: Military Personnel of the Highest access or Rank only. RESTRICTED TO ALL OTHER PERSONNEL! The door had been wrenched off its hinges and thrown against the side of the hallway, denting the wall. Nigel and the others entered quietly, weapons drawn. Though most of them doubted whatever had done this was still down here, none of them were willing to take chances with a man or creature capable of ripping a locked and reinforced steel door off its hinges.
The hallway behind the door opened up considerably and went on for several more meters, Nigel and the others walked down the corridor, weapons aimed at the shadows beyond. It was dead quiet in the facility, as it had been when they had arrived in the station. The only noise came from the soft tramp of their feet against the metal floor and the steady rasp of their breath as their hearts quickened and their imaginations raced with images of horrendous monsters and creatures beyond their wildest dreams. The chamber beyond was dark, completely dark, as Nigel and the others made their way inside they saw that numerous other passageways led into this room. On the far side of the chamber a huge gate loomed out of the shadows, a gate that was stamped... with the symbol of the red eagle embossed on a gold background and outlined in black. Nigel gasped in realization, this is the room from my vision! But how, and if this is it were's the... Something moved in the shadows.
Nigel and the others instantly brought their weapons to bear on the unknown figure, which stooped as it stood up to face the light. Nigel was dumbfounded as were the others, "SCHMITT?!" Schmitt slumped against the wall with an annoyed expression, "took you long enough to find me, I forgot how deep this damn chamber was." Nigel was at a loss for words, but he did manage an incredulous, "what are you doing here?" Schmitt was about to answer when light suddenly began seeping into the chamber, brief flashes of fire that slowly grew in intensity as if moving closer. The fire, thought Nigel as he brought his weapon up to point down the corridor, I forgot about the fire, where was the fire?! "Shit", Schmitt swore as he clutched his side, and Nigel perceived a barely healed wound gaping from his thigh, "he's back!" "Who's...?" Nigel didn't get a chance to finish as pure light flooded the room, all of it emanating from the blazing black figure that stood in the far corridor. The figure fixed his tiny eyes on Nigel, and Nigel's horror grew as he saw he recognized the sinister figure before him. "YOU", screamed Father as he stood before them, "HAVE A LOT TO ANSWER FOR MR. UNO!"
Sorry to end on such a cliffhanger, I know people hate it when I do that, but theres literally no place for me to stop between here and the next part that seemed appropriate. I really needed to just cut it off there before I ended up writing that next 20,000 word chapter right here, plus I know you guys want to see more before next month so theres that too. Like I said, it will probably be quite a while till the next one comes out but expect lots from it, it will be somewhat like the answers chapter but more elaborate and detailed, also with character development and not just in the form of some big expo dump. Until that time, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'm going to bed.