Chapter 6 – Sector V VS Numbuh 14!

On leaving the recovery room, 14 came across a gymnasium. There were stands for people to watch a match. The floor of the arena was made of concrete and had several white lines, and its predominant color was blue. To the left was a kiosk with several chairs around it. He put his hand on his stomach because he felt hungry, so he headed straight for the kiosk.

– It's amazing what teenagers can create. In some ways, their skills surpass those of children. In others, those of adults. They were supposed to be the best of both worlds. – commented 14 in amazement.

He arrived at the kiosk and sat down. The stool was big and high, he had to struggle a bit to climb up, but he managed in the end. Chad entered through the door on the side of the kiosk. He went to the fridge, opened it, and got something for 14 and Rachel. The interior of the kiosk was simple: there was an indoor table in the four corners. A few chairs underneath. In the center, there were four refrigerators, one with its back to the other, and on the side, there was a waste device that was connected to a pipe both above and below. In one corner of the inner table, there were some built–in microwaves. Chad opened two of them to heat up 14 and Rachel's food. Then he went to the fridge and got something for himself. When one of the foods was ready, he simply took it out and put his meal into the microwave.

The food in question was a hamburger. 14 had seen it before, but it wasn't called that. He took a bite and liked it. Rachel was eating next to him and Chad was in front of him inside the kiosk.

– You know, there was a time when teenagers were part of the Kids Next Door. – Commented Numbuh 14 – Since no one knew what it was at the time, we simply extended their stay and, at first, it was going well...

– What happened? – Rachel asked.

– The teenagers began to question the leadership of the Kids Next Door. How could they take orders from a bunch of kids? There were several discussions to try and reach an agreement, but to no avail…, and, in the end, it led to a fight... which resulted in some of the teenagers being separated from the gang. Others left because they didn't want to be involved. Finally, only a few stayed to continue their work. Sometime later, I found out that a rule had been introduced to erase the memory of agents who turned 15.

– 15?! – Chad asked – I thought you were dismissed at 13.

– At the time, adolescence lasted from 15 to 22. After that, you really became an adult.

– Wait a minute... – Rachel interrupted. – you're telling me that children had an extended childhood back then?!

14 chewed the last piece of hamburger and remained silent for a while. He looked directly at Chad, then at Rachel. Finally, he used a napkin to wipe his dirty mouth.

– I won't say anything for now. – replied 14.

14 asked for a drink and Chad handed him a bottle of water.

– Understand one thing: you're not yet ready to know everything I've been through. Some things I can tell you, others... only time will tell when I'll be able to tell you. – said 14.

Chad was about to say something, but Rachel just nodded.

– Well, where's that note of whatever you guys mentioned? – asked 14.

Chad asked her to follow him. On top of the court was a timer and scoreboard display. 14 only noticed because he looked up. On one side of the court, also above, there was a room. Rachel thought that this was where the match announcer and commentator would be. Chad, Rachel and 14 stood just below this booth. A switch came out of the floor next to Chad. There were two buttons, one indicating up, the other down. Chad pressed the up one and soon they were on their way up. It was a small elevator and the platform they were on could only fit three people. When they reached the platform, they saw that the booth was bigger than it looked from the outside. There was a stand with microphones and a control panel. This was probably where the narrator and commentator sat. To the left and right were stands full of computers. It certainly wasn't for the game.

Chad sat down on one of the benches on the left. He turned on the computers and asked 14 to take their seats. Now standing, he explained how the machines worked. It didn't take more than a few minutes for 14 to understand exactly what to do with it.

– Well, what are you going to do first? – Chad asked.

– I'm going to hack into the KND's system to see what Space Adult is up to. – replied 14, typing on the computer keys.

At first, 14 pressed one button at a time out of caution. Chad wondered what it would be like to type on a metal keyboard. He thought it must be very painful. Little did he know how right he was.

14 gradually accelerated his speed, until he seemed to be a robot, so fast was he typing on the keyboard.

Although he said he was going to check out what the Space Adult was up to, he went further. I research the history of the eighth generation. How a boy called Numbuh zero was able to defeat a terrible adult called Grandpa. How the Kids Next Door grew up during all this time. There was so much information that if he were to research it all at once, he'd spend a good few weeks sitting at the computer.

– As I imagine... – he infected all the agents in the Kids Next Door with that device. Now he's looking for the three of us... which is incredible to think about...

– Why? – Rachel asked.

– Well, in the past he was only interested in hunting me down... I think he considers you two to be high–level agents for him to target. – 14 answered.

– Did you find out anything else? – Chad asked

– No, but I already know exactly what to do. – replied 14, typing steadily.

He pressed a few more keys and was finally finished. He cracked his knuckles and was glad they weren't hurting so much. Still sitting down, he turned to Chad and Rachel.

– What's the plan? – Rachel asked.

– First, I want to know where this readmission device is.

– Readmission device? – asked Chad.

– What do you want with it anyway? – Rachel asked.

– I have an idea... you could say I want to talk to Numbuh zero.

Chad and Rachel exchanged glances.

– That's going to be impossible... the device was destroyed by Numbuh zero itself... replied Rachel.

14 wondered.

– What did they do with the rest of the device?

– I think Numbuh 101 must–have collected what was left and put it in the museum.

14 stood up.

– Here's the plan: we'll take the readmission device and fix it, then go to Sector V headquarters and have a word with Numbuh zero. As he's no longer a child, it won't be a problem for us. The biggest challenge will be Sector V. I don't think they'll let us in there as if we were friends.

– And let's assume that your plan works and that no additional agents interfere. What do we do then? – Chad asked.

– First, we're going to disrupt communications from the Sector V base. I'm not saying we're going to do it with the museum because I don't want the Space Adult to know we went there.

– Second? – Rachel asked.

– Second, my dear 362... it will depend on the answer to Numbuh zero.

14 asked Chad to help him so that they could see the base plan for the Kids Next Door's museum. It took the two of them a few minutes to figure out how to open a hologram of the base, since 14, despite getting used to it very quickly, had no idea how to do it. And Chad, because it had been a long time since he had worked with the computerized devices at the teenagers' base.

In the end, they managed to open the hologram. Rachel took the lead and began explaining the layout of the museum base to both 14 and Chad. They discussed a possible plan and how they would execute it. When they reached an agreement, they turned off the hologram, grabbed some supplies and equipment from the teenagers' base and headed out the door.

The base of the Kids Next Door's museum was large, but finding the readmission device was quite easy, since it was displayed along with other pieces. 14 sent Chad to take a look at the outside of the base. As he was a teenager, he didn't arouse any suspicion. He was still wanted along with 14 and Rachel. He grabbed a red hooded sweatshirt and walked around the perimeter. Outside there weren't many agents, but inside there were only a few. 14 thought for a moment that it was some kind of trap to lure them into the base. However, Rachel investigated and noticed that the base patrol was more relaxed than usual.

– Are you sure about this? – asked 14.

– Absolutely! – replied Rachel.

– It's strange to think that of all the bases, this is the one with the fewest agents. It's supposed to be the other way around, since it's the KND museum. – commented 14.

– Yes, but even I didn't take the museum seriously. It was only after the incident with Grandpa that I began to take our history more seriously. – said Rachel.

– Even so, there are still very few guards. And as easy as it sounds. We should treat this as a difficult task. – replied 14.

Chad, who was on his rounds, put his finger to his ear to activate the communicator.

– What's the plan?

– We're going to cut the power to the base temporarily. Then we'll change the intake device with this box.

14 showed a box that resembled the intake unit.

– Holy Cow! when did you do that? – Rachel asked in surprise

– I started doing it right after I left the computer. – Since I saw the 3D image of the readmission device, it was easy to make a copy, even if it was a rudimentary one. Besides, they won't be using this device, which gives us the advantage of making the switch.

Rachel nodded.

– Well, let's go! – said Chad.

Everything went exactly to plan: Rachel entered the base, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt. She knew the cameras' blind spots and took advantage of them. When she arrived in the power room, she simply made a deal with the hamsters, who accepted without a second thought.

The agents on patrol inside the base were surprised to see the wave of hamsters running for the exit. Without them, there's no power at the base. Chad took the opportunity to replace the box that 14 had made with the real readmission device.

The exchange was successful. Chad looked at the device and wondered if 14 was right. Even with the question in his mind, he returned to the group with the device in hand. The hamsters returned to the base with snacks and some soft drinks that they were drinking, or shaking to open in the face of one of the base agents. The mission had been a success!

– A mission done! Now to V sector headquarters! – commented 14 happily.

– Wait a minute! – said Chad – how did you know that the readmission device was fixed?

– Fixed?! – Rachel asked, looking at the device in Chad's hands.

The device was intact.

– That's impossible! – said Rachel – Numbuh zero destroyed the device! I saw it broken in Nigel's hands!

– No, it's not impossible. An agent from the Kids Next Door rebuilt the device. I even saw the report.

Rachel was still incredulous, but Chad already knew who had rebuilt the device.

Rachel took off the green sweatshirt she was wearing to enter the museum base and handed it to 14.

– Thanks for letting me borrow it, it was very useful.

– You're welcome. Contact technology. When someone else wears the sweatshirt, it reconfigures itself into a normal sweatshirt. – said 14, putting the sweatshirt back on.

When he put the sweatshirt back on, the Numbuh 14 reappeared in the center.

– I thought you said your sweatshirt couldn't do that because of the hibernation. – commented Chad.

– Activating the battle suit is different. In the old days, I used a voice command to activate the suit, now I have to tap on the license plate to activate it. – Replied 14.

Chad nodded.

They were heading towards the base of sector V. 14 was anxious to go there to find the Numbuh zero. He knew that the readmission device wouldn't be necessary for zero... But it would be very necessary for other agents...

The three of them stood in front of the Sector V base. It was a large tree with several wooden platforms. It had parts of ships, airplanes, cannons and the like. You could see some Numbuhs painted on it, such as two, five and four.

Despite being a considerable distance away, no alarm was sounded. There were no officers on the street. In fact, the street was deserted.

– This is definitely a trap. – commented Chad. – They must be waiting for us.

– I have to agree with you Chad. – Rachel replied – it looks like they're up to something.

14 remained silent and made notes in his mind.

"It's true, this is all very suspicious, but if the Space Adult is planning this, then we'll be captured for sure. However, our equipment is still working. I can't see any activity inside the base, but otherwise I can see people inside their homes as if nothing had happened. That worries me... but we have no choice, we have to act before they make the first move!".

– Well, we can't just stand here all day. First of all, we need to cut off any communication from the sector v base with the rest of the Kids Next Door.

– I'll take care of that. – Chad commented confidently. – I've been to the Sector V base countless times, and I imagine the hamsters must not be enjoying the current situation with their friends being controlled.

– Be careful! – said Rachel. – they might not trust you because you're...

– Don't worry, it'll work out! – reaffirmed Chad.

Rachel nodded.

– Well, what are we going to do, 14?

– We're going to the base's command center. I believe it's up there. – said 14, pointing to the top of the base.

– And do what exactly? – Rachel asked.

– If no one's there, we can shut down communications until Chad can disable the power to the entire base. – replied 14.

– Got it. – replied Rachel.

They stood up and shook hands. When we're done, we'll meet in front of Numbuh zero's house. – said 14.

– All right! – replied Chad and Rachel.

Chad broke away from the group, heading for one of the secret passageways at the base of sector v. He just lifted a stone and started down the stairs. Meanwhile, Rachel and 14 began climbing the base to reach the command center. The climb took considerable time, as they were sneaking up to avoid being discovered by the v–sector agents.

As they neared the top, 14 stopped to activate his battle suit.

– Precaution? – Rachel questioned.

– Do you really think I'd climb to the top of the base just to disable communications? – They're there waiting for us, and if they're not, they'll come to the command center.

Rachel was confused.

– Are we walking into a trap?

– We can say that. – replied 14.

14 and Rachel entered the command center through one of the open windows. 14 looked into the center where there was a kind of holographic projector. It emitted a greenish color and had some white glowing balls that went down to the table. It was displaying data. Data about him, Rachel and Chad. The projector was a step down from the rest of the floor of the room. The projector table was a modified monster car wheel with a few buttons. 14 and Rachel walked a few more meters until the windows, which had been open, were abruptly closed one after the other. When there was only sunlight coming through small protrusions in the ceiling, they appeared. Five agents from the Kids Next Door. Or so it seemed.

– We've been waiting for you, Numbuhs 14 and 362, – replied Numbuh 5.

– You'll pay for betraying the Kids Next Door! – shouted Numbuh 4.

– You'd better surrender now so we can take you to the Space Adult, – suggested Numbuh 2.

The other two agents were none other than Numbuh 3 and Tommy.

– Numbuhs 5, 4, 3, 2 and the kid who thinks T is a Numbuh... – commented Numbuh 14.

– WHAT THE HELL! I WANTED TO BE NUMBUH T AND NUMBUH T I WAS! – shouted Tommy. – But now I'm just... TOMMY!

– Oh, shut up, Tommy! – Numbuhs 2 and 4 spoke up.

– 362! Where's Numbuh 1? – 14 asked.

– I... I don't know. – replied Rachel.

– Numbuh 1 had the honor of being part of the galactic Kids Next Door! Something you'll never be able to do again! – replied Numbuh 5.

14 turned white, he was on his knees and was terrified by what Numbuh 5 had said.

– No... no... NO! – screamed 14 – You have no idea what you've done.

– What are you talking about 14? – Rachel asked.

– The Galactic Kids Next Door... have no idea what they're capable of! That's why I've always prevented them from even coming to earth! – replied 14.

The despair and fear that 14 was feeling soon turned to anger. He stared at Numbuh five and the other agents. Regardless of whether they had the device behind their necks, they all felt fear... fear of death... because that's what 14's gaze was conveying at the moment.

– 362, leave the five of them to me! I'm ready to fight for real! – said 14 in a strong, confident tone.

Rachel thought about saying something, but she soon saw the look on 14's face, so she kept her mouth shut.

– Do you really think you can beat us? – asked Numbuh five, still shaking from 14's stare.

– I'll show you how a first generation agent really fights! – announced 14.

Numbuh 14 flies towards the five agents. He manages to get to them before they can even draw a weapon. 14 went straight for Numbuh 5, where he landed two blows: a punch to the stomach and a kick under the chin. Numbuh 5 ended up on the stage behind where the leader was announcing something related to the mission.

"That's not normal...". – Rachel thought.

14 wasted no time in attacking the other agents. The remaining four simultaneously attacked 14, but to no avail. He managed to dodge and block all their blows. It was as if the four of them weren't enough to stop him.

Tommy and Numbuh 2 took their distance and started firing their weapons. 14 grabbed one of the leg guards and used it as a shield. Numbuhs 3 and 4 ran towards 14 to hold him back, but he just waited for them to get close enough to jump on top of them, so that he could jump to the ceiling of the room. Numbuhs 3 and 4 were greeted by shots that were meant to hit 14.

Tommy and Numbuh 2 kept shooting at 14, but to no avail. He jumped from place to place on the ceiling of the room to dodge their attacks. 14 grabbed the other leg guard, preparing to throw it in the direction of the agents who were still shooting at him. When he saw the opportunity, he pushed off the wall and quickly launched himself towards the agents. He used one of the guards as a shield and threw the other. Numbuh 2 only saw something coming towards him, after which he blacked out.

14 landed in front of Tommy, who was terrified. Never in his life had he met someone who had this ability.

– Wh... What the hell are you? – asked Tommy shakily.

14 grabbed his shirt and lifted him up to head height.

– I'm a grown–up's worst nightmare. – replied 14 confidently.

14 pulled back his fist to put an end to the fight, but didn't see the shot that hit his head. He was immediately thrown close to Rachel. He hadn't taken that much of a shot, just swiped his hand and then stood up to see that he had done so.

Numbuh 4 was standing there with a gun in his hand aimed at 14. Tommy had fallen to the ground and crawled over to his friend.

– Nobody hurts my friends like that! – shouted Numbuh 4.

14 was holding one of the shields as a shield, the other was on the ground where Tommy was. He put the shield in place and looked directly at Numbuh 4.

– Take me on one–o–one Numbuh 4! – said 14.

– Numbuh 4, don't do it! – shouted Tommy, still shaking.

Numbuh 4 just stretched out his sleeves and walked towards Numbuh 14, who was walking towards him.

– Let's see how long you last! – shouted Numbuh 4.

14 smiled. The two were face to face. 14 and Numbuh 4 took up their respective fighting positions. And then they began to face each other. 14 began to block and counterattack Numbuh 4, and he did the same. They were fighting for real. 14 knew he could easily dodge or block his blows, but he decided not to, because he wanted to see how far Numbuh four would go with his fighting skills. He soon realized that his strength was increasing, and when it did, he increased the force of his blows to match those of his opponent. The blows now connected, neither of them blocking the other. They just connected with incredible synchronization. Numbuh 4 had both speed and strength, but his strength was greater than his speed. When Numbuh 14 realized that Numbuh 4's strength was already at its limit, he threw one last punch and jumped backwards to gain distance. Numbuh 4 was panting and bent over, trying to catch his breath. 14, on the other hand, was standing as if the fight he was in didn't affect him.

– You're good, few agents have the strength you have Numbuh 4, maybe when this is over, I'll train you so that you can reach a higher level. – commented 14 – but at the moment...

Numbuh 4 stood up, but it was too late. 14 was right in front of him.

– You're not the right opponent for me. – said 14, knocking out Numbuh 4.

Tommy was terrified and started to run, but Chad appeared and shot him so that he would be stunned.

– what happened… – said Chad, looking at the knocked–out agents. – Here...

Rachel simply pointed to 14. Chad couldn't believe that Numbuh 14 had defeated sector v. Even HE would have a hard time doing it alone, if he managed the feat of course.

14 collected the last part of his battle suit and put it in its proper place.

– Did you manage to convince the hamsters?

– Yes, the base should run out of power at any moment.

Moments later, the base was completely without power.

– Well, now let's talk to Numbuh zero.