Codename: Teens Next Door Operation: BEYOND

by Gettan49

One year has passed since Father's defeat. The members of Sector V, without their memories, begin their sophomore year in highschool. However, the world isn't as peaceful as they think: the Galactic Kids Next Door have made Earth their next target while an old enemy lifts their head, seeking revenge. Only the KND and the TND stand a chance against them, but will they succeed?

11. The Return of Chad

Important Disclaimer!

Chad Dickson's depiction and new codename in this fanfic were inspired yet again by KicaCris and her fanfic, Operation: A.L.P.H.A. All credit goes to her!

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Transmission 11: The Return of Chad

The Present Day

Having cut their joyride short after leaving Nigel's birthday party, Patton, Rachel, Eliza and Maurice, who hopped into Patton's SUV after informing them about an emergency, have now arrived to the Moonbase. However, Maurice has kept quiet the whole time, which is a clear sign this is a serious matter. "So uh, where do we go from here?" Patton asks as they leave the Moonbase's Portal Hub.

"To the Command Center. Come on." Maurice says and leads the trio to an elevator.

"Could you at least explain what this is all about?" A frustrated Eliza asks, still wearing her casual clothes just like Patton and Rachel. Then, Maurice turns around and looks at his comrades with an incredibly serious expression.

"Something…unexpected showed up on the KND's long range sensors 2 hours ago. They asked us to check it out too and we've been tracking it ever since."

"Well, what is it?" Patton crosses his arms as Maurice frowns.

"…a ship." his words shock the others but Eliza immediately looks into Maurice's eyes.

"Is it…him?"

"No idea. It's slowly being dragged into Moons orbit and we've sent a recon craft to inspect it. That's why I brough you guys. If it's who we think it is, our chances of taking down the Ninjas and Omnius are gonna skyrocket." Maurice replies as they exit the elevator and head to the TND's Central Operations room, where Herbie, Keith, Rosa, Bartie, Kieran and The Kid have gathered around the round holo-projection table.

"Attention!" everyoagent present salutes Eliza and her friends as they enter, though her casual appearance surprises them.

"Numbuh Iota-3, explain, now." Eliza says with a commanding voice as she, Patton, Maurice and Rachel join the others on the table.

"Well Supreme Commander, we're tracking the target as we speak. We have no confirmation on any occupants as of yet, so it could be an unmanned craft too."

"We've also placed the TND Space Fleet on standby, if anything goes wrong." Bartie points at the hologram, which shows the area of space around the Moonbase relative to the trajectory of the ship. Then, a communications officer walks over to the observation deck.

"Supreme Commander, Numbuh 81 wants to speak to you."

"Put him on the screen." Eliza gestures and then, KND Supreme Leader Numbuh 81's face appears on the small screen connected to the table.

"Numbuh Alpha."

"Numbuh 81." they salute each other as the boy eyes the hologram.

"Moonbase is currently on maximum alert incase this turns out to be trap. But I think you know who that ship belongs to, right?"

"We don't know anything yet, until we find out who is inside it. We'll handle the recovery, Numbuh 81. If the GKND is involved in this somehow, it's best to keep that information on this side, don't you agree?"

"Yes. We'll leave it to you, but if it's a trap, we will destroy it with the Moonbase's weapons. I don't want to take any risks right now."

"Fair enough." Eliza say and then gives Herbie a nod.

"Numbuh Lambda, send in the recovery ships. I think it's best if we put it in a Barrier Field, so it doesn't try to escape."

"Roger that. Attention hangar, this is Numbuh Lambda, Recovery Teams 1 and 2, you're cleared to head out." Bartie contacts the main hangar's control booth and two S.P.A.C.E.R.C.H.A.S.E.R.'s take off, equipped with large hull-mounted Barrier Shield generators. The are the same shields that were used to protect the Moonbase from asteroids and can reduce almost any matter to dust if they are in contact with it for too long. Everyone's attention is drawn to the main screen, which shows video footage from a camera mounted on the nose of the second S.P.A.C.E.R.C.H.A.S.E.R. As they draw closer, everyone can tell the ship isn't from Earth.

"…that writing…I saw Numbuh Gamma type that once…" Rachel mutters as The Kid lowers his sunglasses.

"Gotta be the GKND. I've never seen a ship like that here before."

"Maybe it's a Teen Ninja prototype ship that got lost?"

"No way, Numbuh Rho. That has GKND written all over it." Patton says to Rosa as the S.P.A.C.E.R.C.H.A.S.E.R.'s deploy two M.E.G.A.-K.L.A.U.N.C.E.R. grappling anchors that clamp into the unknown ship's hull before it is enveloped inside a barrier shield.

"Target secured, commencing recovery."

"Roger. Bring it to TND Hangar 10." Bartie says as Herbie looks at Eliza.

"Numbuh Alpha, we should have the hangar isolated and only Commanders should be allowed access. Word of the GKND's existence can't be leaked, at least not yet."

"I agree. See to it then. Numbuh Sigma, Numbuh Epsilon, Numbuh Zeta, Agent Halcón, Agent Hermit, let's go. We're going down there, now." Herbie immediately tries to protest but Rachel shakes her head without saying a word, prompting the Global Intelligence Chief to back down. "Monitor the situation from here, understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Herbie replies sternly as Eliza leads the others out of the Operations room and down into TND section's hangar area, where they are greeted by the recovery ship's crews and a group of TND Heavy Troopers.

"Supreme Commander, Hangar 10 has been cordoned off."

"Good. Wait here. If we need help, we'll call for you." Eliza marches past them and activates her B.R.A., prompting Rachel and Patton to do the same while Maurice readies his Energy Tonfas. As they enter hanger itself, the teenagers are shocked by the ship's size: it is twice the size of the S.P.A.C.E.R.C.H.A.S.E.R.'s and it's completely white, despite clearly being cobbled together from what appears to be junk.

"Mon, that looks like 2x4 technology…"

"Yeah, hermano. Just like how we make our stuff…" The Kid replies as they approach the ship while Eliza draws her sword.

"I'll go in first."

"Wait!" Maurice shouts as the large hatch below the elevated cockpit starts moving, causing steam to erupt from its seams before it converts into a ramp. But as the thick cloud fades away, a person suddenly walks down the ramp and the moment their eyes meet Eliza's eyes, red dots point at the stranger's face.

"Halt! Don't move!" Patton, The Kid and Keith point their weapons at the stranger, but as the stranger steps out of the shadows, Eliza and her friends can't believe their eyes: standing before them is Chad Dickson. He has grown since they last met him 5 years ago when the KND/Teen Ninja Treaty was sabotaged. But before either party can do anything, Rachel's eyes are consumed by rage as she dashes past Eliza and brings her Laser Lance up to Chad's face.

"…Chad Dickson…what…what are you doing here?!"

"…Numbuh 362…is that…?"

"It's Numbuh Epsilon now, and I'm the one asking questions!" Rachel shouts as Chad takes a step back but then, to everyone's surprise, he smiles slightly.

"Hah…hah-hah! It worked! We made it to Earth!" but Rachel steps forward and angrily gestures with her lance.

"You didn't answer my question! What is the KND's most infamous traitor doing aboard a GKND ship? Answer me!" she shouts as Maurice comes to her side.

"That's enough Numbuh Epsilon, lower your weapon."

"What? Are you kidding me? This is Chad Dickson! The operative who betrayed us and tried to destroy the Moonbase by plunging it into the Sun! He tried to kill Nigel and everyone else!" Rachel's furious words cause Chad to lower his head as Maurice steps between him and Rachel.

"That's in the past or did ya start holding grudges again?" Maurice glares at Rachel and then puts his hand on Chad's shoulder. "It's great to see you're in one piece, Numbuh Delta."

"WHAT?!" everyone shouts at the same time as Maurice turns around to face his friends.

"Numbuh Sigma, by Delta, you mean…?"

"That's right, Numbuh Alpha. Chad Dickson or Numbuh 274 IS Numbuh Delta, the GKND's Earth Representative. He's also the one who sent Gamma here to create the TND."

"No way mon…"

"Ai, ai, ai…"

"But…he was a Ninja…he tried to…" Rachel mutters in shock as Chad lifts his head.

"It's a long story…but I was a double agent…just like Numbuh Sigma."

"Double agent? Then everything you did after you turned 13 was an act?" Eliza tilts her head as Chad nods back firmly.

"Yeah, an act. I sabotaged the Ninjas operations from the inside and helped Sector V behind the scenes." Chad explains as Rachel grips her lance angrily.

"…as if I'd believe that…not after everything you…"

"That's enough, Numbuh Epsilon! He's not lying." Eliza also comes to Rachel's side and looks her in the eye.

"Numbuh Alpha, you can't seriously believe what he's saying?"

"I can and I will. His eyes don't lie." Eliza says and looks at the serious Chad. "I know when a person is lying and he's not." but Rachel is not convinced, despite not saying anything.

"But if you're the Earth Representative, then what the heck are you doing here? And where's Numbuh Gamma?" Patton's question makes Chad frown and lower his head again.

"I…I'll tell you everything…but first, there's some people I want to introduce."

"Wait, you didn't come here by yoself?" Maurice asks as Chad turns around and gestures to the dark cargo hold behind him.

"It's okay guys, they're friendly." Then, out of the darkness, 7 aliens appear one by one.

"Ooh, so many new faces here." Cygnus says inquisitively as Numbuh 9L looks around the hangar carefully, prompting Eliza to order Patton, Keith and The Kid to lower their weapons.

"Hmph, don't look much to me." Leo huffs as Libra floats forwards.

"Greetings, our name is Libra. We come in peace."

"*chuckle* What is this, a movie or something?" The Kid whispers to Patton, who does not react.

"We were freed by Numbuh 274 and in returned, we have accompanied him to his home planet, Earth. We hope we can work well together."

"Work together, what does…Libra mean by that?" Eliza asks Chad, who's expression turns serious.

"The GKND are coming after Earth." his words silence Eliza and her friends instantly. "They plan to perform a Planetary Decommissioning."

Patton immediatly reminded of Gamma saying the very same thing a year ago, at the Splinter Cell controlled Orbital Shipyards. "But Gamma said they'd call it off if Father was defeated!"

"Well he was wrong, human." Corvus replies coldly to Patton.

"…destroy…Earth…no way…" Eliza shakes her head in disbelief as Chad nods.

"I heard it myself when they put me on trial for treason."

"Wait, treason? Hold on, are ya saying Numbuh Gamma failed?" Maurice crosses his arms as Chad frowns angrily.

"They knew everything that was going on here from the start and forced Gamma to leave Earth right after Father and the Splinter Cell were defeated. The GKND disbanded my Sector and sentenced me to Decommissioning…Gamma helped me escape and that's how we came here."

"Wow…that's so messed up, mon. They really were watching us this whole time." Keith says as Eliza eyes Chad.

"So you're not with the GKND anymore, right?"

"No. None of us are. They're our enemy now." Chad says and looks at the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers and Numbuh 9L but notices that someone is missing. "Huh? Vine, are you still in the ship?"

"…coming…" then, a meek and afraid Numbuh Vine appears from behind Numbuh 9L and her voice is immediately recognized by Rachel.

"…Vine…you're Numbuh Vine, aren't?!" sensing her antagonistic tone, Vine hides behind 9L, who in turn glares angrily at Rachel.

"Stand down, Numbuh Epsilon! This isn't the time to bring up the past." Eliza shouts, knowing exactly why Rachel is incensed by the sight of Vine, who had masqueraded as Lizzie Devine, Nigel's old girlfriend for a year. While Rachel had been indifferent towards Lizzie back then, after learning of her real identity from Gamma and witnessing Nigel's subsequent despair at the fact he had been manipulated by a person he genuinely cared about, made her despise the plant-like alien to no end and now, the source of Nigel's pain was standing right there.

"…suit yourselves. I'm leaving." Rachel turns around and starts walking away.

"Hey, wait, you can't just…"

"Yes, I can, Supreme Commander. I'm not getting myself involved with anyone from the GKND."

"But he just said they're not with the GKND!" Patton tries to stop Rachel, but she pushes him aside.

"They can say whatever they want, this isn't my problem anymore. I've got more important things to do." she mutters and leaves the hangar.

"…I guess she hates me and Vine that much huh?" Chad says to Eliza, who shakes her head.

"No…it's more complicated than that…"

"I see…"

Up on the top of the ramp, Leo, rolls his eyes and nudges Corvus. "These humans are pretty pathetic. I say we bring 'em down quick and take over this place."

"Leo! We came here to stop the GKND from Decommissioning Numbuh 274's planet." Cygnus says disapprovingly while Scorpius big yellow eye squints at Leo.

"That would be an illogical choice, Leo. Only with cooperation do we stand a chance against the GSF." Hearing their conversation, Libra floats down the ramp and comes to Chad's side.

"We apologize if our presence is causing problems, but we truly wish to help you. Some of us have lost our home planets already and so did Numbuh S-26. He put his faith on us and we want to uphold it."

"No, don't apologize. We've got enough problems already with evil teenagers and…Omnius."

"Omnius?! He's here?" Corvus overhears Libra's conversation with Eliza and joins them.

"Yes. Numbuh Gamma thought he had manipulated Father behind the scenes but we haven't seen a trace of him since he fought Gamma a year ago." Then, Corvus closes his clawed hands into fist and frowns.

"…that so…" he mutters before floating back into the shuttle while Libra looks on.

"Don't mind Corvus, he takes everything very seriously. Ah, let us introduce the rest of the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers." Libra gestures to the others to come down the ramp, prompting Scorpius, an eager Cygnus and Leo to comply while Virgo huffs and also heads back into the shuttle.

"How do you do, my name is Cygnus. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Cygnus bows theatrically.

"I am Scorpius."

"I'm Leo, and don't you forget it!"

"Virgo."

"Hello, I am Numbuh Alpha, Supreme Commander of the Teens Next Door and these are my friends." Eliza points at Patton, Keith, The Kid and Maurice. "That boy there is Numbuh Zeta, the Global Chief of the TND Combat Forces.

"Howdy."

"Agents Hermit and Halcón are field agents."

"Hola."

"Hello, mon."

"...and Numbuh Sigma is one of our founding members."

"Numbuh 274 used to work with me before he joined the GKND." Maurice says as Numbuh 9L sits down next to Chad and lowers her head towards Eliza.

"Oh yeah, and these two are Numbuh 9L and Numbuh Vine. We served in the same GKND Intelligence Division Sector with Numbuh Gamma." Chad says as Eliza gently puts her hand on the giant cat aliens cheek and strokes it, prompting 9L to immediately lick her.

"*giggle* hey, that tickles." Eliza laughs while Maurice puts his hand on Chad's shoulder.

"You gotta explain everything in detail to us later. If the GKND is comin' to Earth, we gotta prepare."

"Not gonna lie, we're pretty tied up as it is, mon. Adult supervillains are coming back from nowhere and the Ninjas are causing tons of trouble."

"When are the GKND arriving?" Eliza asks as Libra crosses their arms.

"We have no idea. It took us one Earth year to get here and we don't know if the Galactic Subjugation Force pursued us immediately." Libra says while Scorpius gestures with his claws.

"I believe they stayed behind to subdue the riot Numbuh 274 caused. Perhaps they'll arrive within the 90 Mega Cycles."

"Cycles? Is that the GKND's way of measuring time?" Patton asks Chad, who nods.

"Yeah. In Earth time, I think it's the same as…about 3 months."

"Three months? That's not a lot of time."

"We'll just have to make the best of it. Anyway, only a few people among the TND know about aliens and the GKND, so I think your friends should stay in this hangar for now. We need to discuss this with TND Global Command and Numbuh 81 and consider revealing the GKND to everyone at some point. If they're really coming here in three months, then we need get everyone behind us. The TND by itself can't fight such a powerful enemy." Eliza explains and both Libra and Chad nod.

"A fair point. We will stay in this hangar for the time being."

"Not everyone here has forgotten about what you did and I want a detailed explanation of how you came into contact with the GKND, who recruited you and how long did you serve them. I want you to come clean, so that we can start working together from now, okay?" Eliza looks into Chad's eyes and he nods sternly.

"You got it. I'll do whatever you want, if it means I can help somehow. I want to redeem myself, because I was a part of the Ninjas and the GKND."

"Good." then, to everyone's surprise, Eliza gives Chad a short hug. "I'm glad you stayed loyal to the KND in the end."

"Uh…yeah…sure…" Chad stutters as Eliza lets go and turns around.

"Numbuh Zeta, I want all entrances to this hangar sealed and monitored. No-one but us and Numbuh Epsilon are allowed to enter, understood?"

"Roger that." Patton nod as she smiles faintly.

"Zeta, Agents Hermit and Halcón, follow me. We need to hold a meeting with the Chiefs and Numbuh 81 right now. Chad Dickson, we'll call you when it's your turn."

"Got it. I'll stay here till then." Chad says as Eliza leads The Kid and Keith out of the hangar, while Maurice stays behind.

"Things are gonna get hectic from now on, Numbuh 274, but I'm looking forward to working with ya again and I think Numbuh Alpha feels the same way."

"She seemed like the only one…but I didn't think Rachel held such a big grudge against me and Numbuh Vine…"

"Gamma didn't tell what happened a year ago?"

"No way. Our Sector got disbanded so quickly and I escaped. I was on the run for 2 Earth months before they caught me."

"…I see…well, lemme explain…" Maurice then reveals to Chad how the final battle against Father and Numbuh 1000 went but his words leave not Chad but also Vine in shock.

"…you gotta be kidding me…"

"We lost a lot of good people that day…and there's no way of getting their memories back. Sector V, Numbuh 86 and so many others…"

"Nigie…" Vine thinks as Chad's eyes light up and he reaches for his pocket.

"Tha…that's right! Gamma gave me this!" he shows Maurice the small data disc. "He told me this disc has the cure for Erasure!"

"WHAT?! You serious?"

"I didn't get a chance to check it out yet, but I trust his word. Though I'm not sure you guys have anything that can decipher a GKND disc."

"Ah damn…"

"Maybe we can be of assistance?" Libra and Scorpius look over Chad's shoulder at the disc. "Scorpius used to be a 2x4 Technology Officer before he was converted into an O.M.E.G.A. Number, so maybe he can decipher it."

"Well that'd be great if you could." Maurice says and looks at the insectoid alien, who nods.

"Affirmative. I am proficient on that field."

"Then let's use the shuttle's computer to do it! Come on!" Chad shouts and runs inside, followed by Maurice, Libra and Scorpius while Leo shrugs and goes with them while Numbuh 9L walks over to a devastated Numbuh Vine, who is close to breaking down.

"Meow?" the cat alien lowers her head to her friend's level and nudges Vine's ceramic pot.

"Sorry…I just…can't believe he doesn't have his memories anymore…all these years I hoped to see him again and explain everything…"

"Prrrr…" 9L pulls Vine closer with her paw and nuzzles her in an attempt to comfort her.

"Maybe it's better this way…he would never forgive me for all the things I did to him…362 has every right to hate me…"

Meanwhile, Rachel has left the Moonbase and returned to the Cleve base, where she has locked herself into her quarters. As she lies on her side in her bed, she looks at framed photo she has on her nightstand, which is a group photo she took a day before her 13th birthday. In it, she is surrounded by all her friends from back then: Fanny, Patton, Herbie, Eliza, Kimberley, Ted, Charles and lastly, Sector V, who are sitting closest to her. The longer she gazes at the photo, the worse she feels as the memories flood into her mind. Then, she frowns angrily upon remembering that Chad and Numbuh Vine had arrived. She simply cannot find it in herself to forgive either of them, despite what Chad had said about leaving the GKND but then, someone's words start echoing in her head. "You've been blinded by hatred and anger towards me so much that you became no better than the adults we fought against."

"…then what am I supposed to do? You all suffered so much because of them…and I couldn't do anything about it…nothing at all…"

…

The following day, Chad is questioned by Eliza, Herbie and Numbuh 81 and his testimony is recorded and archived while Scorpius and Libra are struggling to decipher Gamma's disc, much to their frustration. As this is going on, Virgo has kept herself away from the other O.M.E.G.A. Numbers while Cygnus and Leo have complained of different things. "Gaah, this is sooo boring!"

"I agree, Leo. I'd much prefer to be out there exploring this base and getting to know everyone. This hangar so stifling." Cygnus exclaims while pointing her metal wings towards the ship's ramp.

"Who cares about that? I wanna have some action!"

"I'm sure you do…" Cygnus sighs and floats over to the shuttle's main computer where Libra and Scorpius are hard at work. "Sorry to disturb, but have you made any progress?"

"Negative. Numbuh Gamma was very thorough with this disc and it's proving to be quite difficult." Scorpius replies while typing on a keyboard.

"He obviously didn't want the GKND to get their hands on it."

"Hey, can't we just forget that stupid thing and run wild or something?" Leo chimes in, but receives a firm frown from Cygnus while Libra shakes their head.

"Out of the question, Leo! We must uphold our promise to 274."

"Grr…"

"Are you forgetting he saved us from Reconditioning?" Corvus says as he descends from the cockpit.

"And since when did ya start talking like that about him? I thought you hated his guts?" Leo snarls at Corvus, who frowns.

"Maybe he was affected by the Overlay process." Virgo joins the conversation and crosses her arms. "You've been awfully quiet about that whole thing."

"…I don't get it…why did the ring react to him?" Corvus says and takes the case into his arms. "Because we weren't Reconditioned, these O.L. Rings are still connected to our psyches, and they'll only react if they find a matching partner…"

"The Overlay process…there is still so much we don't know about it. Only that it merges us with whoever has that ring, creating a super soldier with immense power and abilities. You all saw what Corvus and 274 where able to do when they merged, right?" Libra looks at Scorpius, Leo, Cygnus and Virgo, who do not reply. "If our minds where Reconditioned, we would simply be living weapons who would follow their partner's orders without question but now that we're free, we can decide our own path."

"What are you getting at?" a skeptical Virgo asks Libra.

"We mean that we can now use our powers to truly make a difference."

"Bah, quit kidding yourself, Libra. We were turned into O.M.E.G.A. Numbers because we were against the GKND, and our only purpose is to fight." Leo says cynically.

"But we don't have to! Our destiny has changed, because of Numbuh S-26 and Numbuh 274 and we should not waste this chance they've given us." Libra explains, but the others aren't so enthusiastic.

"…it's easy for you to say, since you wanted to go through this process but we didn't." Corvus glares at Libra, who twitches. "You Mechacon's are destined to serve a specific purpose on your home planet, so this must really suit you, since you don't have to be a part of that hivemind."

"No, that's not what we…"

"We can't age, we can't be with our own kind anymore. We're monsters, Libra. Leo's mind was tampered so he's always seeking conflict, Cygnus has no arms or legs, Virgo can't smell or taste anything and Scorpius can't even express any emotions because they made his brain into a super computer." Corus rants angrily. "I know what's going to happen to us. These humans will make us fight the GKND on their behalf while they run away and hide, before they abandon us."

"That's not true! I refuse to believe your logic. The sincerity in their leader's eyes was genuine, Corvus. They won't treat us like tools, I'm sure of it." an irate Cygnus shouts while spreading her left wing. "I hate what they did to me, but I agree with Libra; we can be better than just weapons."

"I don't really care what happens, as long as I can settle my score." Virgo says nonchalantly and Leo nods as well.

"Yeah, I've got unfinished business with the GKND! Once they show up, I'm gonna pummel 'em." he hits his clawed fists together while Scorpius lifts his head.

"Regardless of our individual desires, the logical choice would be to remain with these teenagers. They could prove useful."

"Scorpius is right, the GKND are our enemy, and they are coming here, so why shouldn't we work together with the humans?" Libra looks at Corvus, who turns his back on them.

"You are so damn optimistic." he huffs and heads back into the cockpit when Chad enters the ship with Eliza, Patton and Kieran.

"Hey, any luck with the disc?" Chad walks over to the computer and eyes the screen, which is filled with GKND letters.

"Our progress has been very slow. S-26's encryption is very strong." Scorpius as Kieran joins them.

"So, this the code language the GKND use. Interesting."

"This is our Global Science Chief, Numbuh Omicron. He's also heading our research on Erasure." Eliza explains as Kieran salutes the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers.

"Chad told us about that disc and I had come here to see it myself. I've already memorized your code language, so if you need any help with that, I'll gladly oblige." He says and immediately points at the bottom corner of the screen. "Have ye tried examining this strand of code?"

"Hmm…I haven't gotten there yet but…" intrigued by Kieran's suggestion, Scorpius also turns his attention on the code Kieran is pointing and soon, the two 2x4 experts start speaking in terms the others can't understand.

"Hmph, never thought you humans had someone who could keep up with Scorpius' brain." an indifferent Corvus says while Cygnus is very impressed.

"My, you humans just keep surprising me. He must know his 2x4 technology very well."

"Omicron is one of the best in the business. We should leave them be, there was something I wanted to ask of you all." Eliza says and gestures the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers to follow her and Chad into the hangar where 9L and Vine are waiting. "We held our meeting with our Chiefs and the KND Supreme Leader yesterday. We've decided how we'll handle you." Eliza explains but Virgo, Leo and Corvus eyes her with suspicion. "We would like you, the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers, Numbuh Vine and Numbuh 9L to join the Teens Next Door."

"Join you? Don't you mean serve under you?" Corvus hisses, prompting Cygnus to glare at him.

"Will you stop acting like that, Corvus?"

"No, as a matter of fact, I won't!" Corvus shouts and glares at the teenagers. "I've heard this same talk before and I'm not buying it. We were turned into weapons, our lives were stolen from us and you expect me to believe you won't treat us as nothing else? You wouldn't understand what we've been through…"

"YES I DO!" Eliza shouts, interrupting the bird alien before removing her shades and looking at him with her Delightfulized eye. "I know exactly how it feels to have your free will taken and your body turned into a weapon and so many others here! The Splinter Cell and Father brainwashed kids and teenagers a year ago and I was one of them. I was forced fight against my friends and my precious cousin, so don't act as if you're the only one who has suffered." her words silence Corvus while Libra puts their hand on his shoulder.

"Corvus, aren't you forgetting that the GKND intend to destroy this planet, just like they did with yours and Cygnus' planet. There is no room for prejudice, not now."

"Grr, I don't need to hear your lecture, Libra!" Corvus brushes him aside and floats over to Eliza and stares angrily into her eyes. "You're saying some big words for a human, so let me make one thing clear: the only thing I care about is getting revenge on the GKND. Everything else, including the fate of your planet, don't make a difference."

"That's fine with me. An enemy of my enemy is my friend, as we humans like to say. We're not asking you to fight for us, we're asking you to fight with us, if you had just let me finish before you cut me off." Impressed by her lack of fear and bluntness, Corvus huffs and straightens his back before looking at Eliza in the eye.

"Hmph, you've got guts, I'll give you that. Fine, I'll play along for now, human."

"It's Numbuh Alpha and you better remember it." Eliza says sternly much to Corvus' amusement.

"You'll still have to prove to me how you handle yourself in a fight. You humans aren't anything spe…UARGH!" Suddenly, Eliza moves behind Corvus and presses the bird alien against the cold floor while restraining his energy arms. "Ghhh…how did you…?"

"Don't worry, I can handle myself and so do the rest of us." Eliza replies as the other O.M.E.G.A. Numbers can' help but laugh at Corvus' predicament.

"My, my, it's been a while since I saw Corvus being taken down like that." Cygnus covers her beak with her right wing while Leo laughs maniacally at their vice-leader.

"GAH-HAH-HAH-HAA! Look at his face! The birdbrain is totally flustered!"

"We couldn't have said it better ourselves." Libra chuckles but Virgo rolls her eyes.

"What a circus…"

"Gah, quit it!" an embarrassed Corvus shouts as Eliza lets him go. "I said stop laughing, you idiots!"

"Face it, Corvus, you lost that one. Besides, you'll have plenty of time to see how well the humans fight from now on." Cygnus says as Corvus mutters angrily to himself. "I for one will gladly fight by your side, Numbuh Alpha. It would go against my honor to refuse your request."

"Of course, we will also offer our assistance." Libra offers their hand to Eliza, and they shake on it.

"If you're gonna throw down with the GKND, then I'm in." Leo cracks his knuckles while Virgo appears indifferent.

"I'll hang around." she mutters and turns her back on the others. "For now."

Then, Numbuh 9L purrs loudly and rubs her cheek against Eliza's. "We'll help too. I want to…fix what I broke years ago…" Vine says cautiously and Eliza pats the top of the plant alien pot while 9L continues to nuzzle her.

"Thank you. I'm glad you think that way." Eliza says as everyone's attention is turned to Corvus, who huffs.

"Fine, I'm in too, but if you go back on your word, you'll regret it."

"The Teens Next Door never break their promises. However, if we're going to face the GKND, we'll need to know everything we can about them. I hope you can give us all the information we need."

"Of course. We will share everything we know." Libra gestures while Chad looks at his wrist and then shows it to the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers.

"Then you'll explain what this thing is and what exactly did the GKND do to you as well?" his question makes the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers twitch slightly but then, Libra nods.

"We suppose it's only fair, now that you have that O.L. Ring." Libra then eyes their comrades and continues. "Let's go inside the shuttle and we'll tell you about…Project: O.M.E.G.A." Libra turns around and everyone comes with them back to the shuttle, but Virgo heads to the cockpit to be by herself. In the passenger hold, Scorpius and Kieran are loudly discussing the disc. "Scorpius."

"…hmm? What is it?" the insect alien looks over his shoulder as Libra puts their hand on his seat's armrest.

"Put the deciphering on a pause. We need to explain our hosts about us." Libra's words are followed by silence as Scorpius's emotionless yellow eye stares at the computer screen.

"…Very well. I believe you've noticed that we are not organic like 9L and Vine. Excluding Libra, who was a Mechacon, the rest of us were organic beings who were converted into what could only be described as living weapons." Scorpius says and turns his chair around while Kieran crosses arms and listens quietly, like the others.

"Not only that, Leo, Corvus, Cygnus, ourselves and Scorpius were former members of the GKND." Libra says, shocking Eliza, Patton and Kieran while Chad lowers his head and clenches his fists.

"You served in the GKND? Why would they use their operatives?"

"Because we were former operatives, Numbuh Alpha. While Virgo was a teen villain, the rest of us were captured due to various offences." Libra replies while Corvus' face contorts.

"We were made into traitors because we didn't agree with the GKND's methods." he says while eyeing Chad. "They destroyed mine and Cygnus' home planet because it was overrun with the Adulthood Virus." Corvus' words remind the humans of the Splinter Cell and how they had also called adulthood a disease.

"…they really are just like the Splinter Cell…" Eliza mutters as Corvus continues.

"I turned against the GKND but they caught me while Cygnus tried to resign from the GKND along with Scorpius who served in the same Sector but they detained them instead." Corvus gestures towards a sad Cygnus.

"It was a dishonorable…despicable deed…and all we could do was watch as our planet was vaporized." she lowers her small head while shaking it in disgust. "I couldn't follow them anymore."

"Leo had fled Decommissioning and was also brought to the same cellblock as us…" Corvus then looks at Libra but does not mention him. "But instead of just Decommissioning and Reconditioning us to be workers at a Resource Planet, they instead placed us into Project: O.M.E.G.A."

"What does it stand for?" Patton asks and Scorpius promptly replies.

"Operative Mechanically Enhanced Gestalt Armor. A secret project authorized by Galactic Supreme Leader Numbuh Aleph Zero and led by the head of the Galactic Science Division, Numbuh Negative Umpteen. While we do not know the full extent of their goals, we believe they wanted to create a new kind of 2x4 weapon that was sentient and capable of making its own decisions. We were put through various processes that merged our bodies with GKND 2x4 technology, resulting in what you see before you." Scorpius spreads his claw arms as Libra continues.

"While we gained immense power, it came at a cost." Libra says but Corvus rolls his eyes while looking away. "We can no longer age and are essentially machines with conscience. The process also left some of us with after effects, such as Scorpius' inability to express emotion or Leo's constant aggression. Everything unnecessary was removed, including everything organic."

"Not in your case." Corvus thinks and points at Chad's ring. "Our other purpose is to merge with another lifeform through the use of that O.L. Ring."

"What? Really? That's incredible." Kieran says and walks over to Chad. "I was wondering what that thing was. Mind if I take a look?"

"Uh, sure, go ahead." As Kieran starts inspecting the ring, Corvus continues.

"Even we don't know how exactly that happens but the merge is only possible if that ring reacts to a compatible person."

"274 and Corvus already demonstrated that ability when we escaped the Void Prison." Scorpius' remark causes Corvus to frown angrily while Chad puts his left hand over the silver ring merged into his wrist.

"…what did it do to me? Did my body chance or something?"

"Unfortunately, the GKND never actually tested the Overlay process, so we don't know." Scorpius replies, which excites Kieran.

"Then that means we've gotta study this ring! Come to the lab later and…" but before Kieran can continue, Corvus charges electricity into his right hand's talons and points them at the Science Chief.

"Don't even think about it. I'm not going to go through any more tests!" he shouts furiously but Libra pushes him away.

"Stand down, Corvus. No one mentioned you and we doubt the humans have the technology needed to reproduce the process they used on us." Libra eyes Corvus, whose reaction gives away why he lashed out and Eliza steps in.

"Aren't you forgetting what I said? You're our equals. Just because Numbuh Omicron wants to study that ring doesn't mean we want to make more of you or anything like that."

"…" Corvus lowers his arm while Scorpius leaves his chair and picks up the case they brought with them from the prison.

"This case holds the remaining rings, so perhaps we can analyze them together. I too am intrigued by the Overlay Process and why we were equipped with it. Understanding how it works could help us against the GKND."

"Ah…right, uh, well if you're fine with it." a visibly startled Kieran replies while Eliza also eyes the case.

"Can anyone take one of those rings and use it?"

"No. It will only react if a matching partner is found. They have been coded with our GKND-NA, one ring per Number."

"Then…this ring is yours, Corvus." Chad gestures to Corvus, who huffs and looks away.

"So, there you have it. Our origin story if you can call it that." Libra gestures with their left arm while Cygnus puffs her chest.

"The GKND may have taken our bodies from us, but it will not bring us down. Once they arrive, I'll personally administer swift justice on them for what they did." she declares, prompting Eliza to nod back confidently.

"And we'll fight at your side when the time comes." she replies and then turns to face Scorpius and Libra. "Is it alright with you if we let Numbuh Omicron establish a remote lab here so that we can study the disc and these rings? We haven't revealed your existence to everyone yet and bringing you to the TND's Central Science Lab right now would be risky."

"Very well but we expect you to only study those. While we do not mind being analyzed, it would be against the others wishes to submit all of us to anything of that kind." Libra says, receiving an angry glare from Corvus while Leo yawns loudly.

"Argh, this was boring. I'm going to sleep." he mutters and heads further into the passenger hold while Eliza, Patton, Kieran and Chad begin to leave but as he passes Corvus, the bird alien grabs his left shoulder.

"I'm gonna make one thing clear: I'm not going to merge with you ever again. Don't forget you're the reason I ended up like this." Corvus says silently, prompting Chad to glare at him.

"…suit yourself." he pushes the O.M.E.G.A. Number aside and exits the shuttle while the O.M.E.G.A Numbers disperse. However, Libra stays with Corvus.

"…what?"

"Why did you not mention us when you explained our pasts?" Libra stares coldly at Corvus, who huffs and floats past him.

"Because that's something you ought to explain yourself, Mr. Project Assistant. The others haven't said it, but they know you helped Negative Umpteen turn us into these things before you volunteered to be converted as well." Corvus's words cause Libra to stare blankly into the distance and their body freezes. "You're equally to blame for this, Numbuh Teknee-1." Corvus hisses and leaves the bronze-colored alien alone in the passenger hold.

"…we thought we were making a difference…"

…

Out in the hallway, Eliza, Patton, Kieran and Chad head towards an elevator but as they board it, she notices Chad's serious expression. "Everything okay?"

"…it's nothing. I was just thinking about everything that's happened to me. All the good…and bad things…" Chad replies as Patton and Eliza remember how Rachel reacted to him.

"Just give it time. You're not the only one here carrying emotional baggage." Patton says as he puts his hand on Chad's shoulder. "We're just glad you're back on our side."

"Hmph, sure…" Chad replies as Kieran presses a button to stop the elevator.

"This is my stop. Sorry if I got carried away back there."

"Don't worry about it, Numbuh Omicron. I kinda expected that Corvus to react that way. Anyway, you should get to work on that disc. If it really has the cure for Erasure, our chances of facing the GKND on an even field is gonna be way higher."

"You're right, Supreme Commander. I'll get right to it after we establish a portal to the hangar." Kieran replies and salutes Eliza before leaving the elevator.

"So, what are ya gonna do now, Numbuh 274?" Patton asks Chad, who thinks for a moment before turning his eyes towards him and Eliza.

"I'll stay in the Moonbase. I need to train and figure out how your new 2x4 tech works. Oh yeah, one other thing: from now on, call me Numbuh Delta. Numbuh 274 betrayed both the KND and the GKND and I don't want to carry that codename anymore." he says confidently, prompting Eliza to smile and offer hand to him.

"Then let me welcome you to the Teens Next Door, Numbuh Delta."

"The pleasure all mine." as they shake hands, Patton wraps his arm around the former Ninja's neck.

"Hah-hah, well then, I'm gonna have to put you through the wringer, new recruit. Just because you're older than me doesn't mean I'm gonna let you off easy."

"Gah, hey, let go! Aren't you forgetting I accepted you into the KND."

"That was Numbuh 274. Didn't ya just say you're Numbuh Delta?" a grinning Patton says as Eliza breaks out into wild laughter while Chad stops struggling and finds the whole situation nostalgic. He was fully prepared to be stuffed into the Decommissioning Chamber the moment they had arrived to the Moonbase but now, it feels like he never left Earth.

End of Transmission 11