Songs used:
Galactic Command meeting: "Atomic Clockwork" by Shok Music
MO.S.Q.U.I.T.T.O.H.-W.A.S.P. takes off: "Flood of a Life (Arrangement Cover) by Otera Official
Transmission 43: Earthrise
A day has passed since the GKND defeated the KND and TND in space and in the Australian outback, the TND's Teen Extension has been made into a makeshift base. However, their foes, the GKND, have been eerily quiet and the only evidence of their presence on Earth so far has been the crimson light that covers the planet.
Not willing to sit around and do nothing, Chad has gathered the TND's remaining commanders to the Extension's Central Operations Room, to assess the situation. However, only Keith, Fanny, Herbie and Global Armory Chief Numbuh Rho, Rosa Zanardi, are able to attend in person, as Kieran is leading the Extension's repairs from the Science Tower, Global Medical Commander Numbuh Mu, Mary-Lou Sarah Jane-Jones is occupied with the large amount injured operatives and agents and Rachel is still bedridden from the injuries she received during Eliza's S.I.N. induced rampage and the atmosphere is very tense as the teenagers, along with Corvus, gather around the holoprojector table.
"Okay, I guess we can start. What's our current situation, Numbuh Iota-3?" Chad asks Herbie, his demeanor reminding the others of how Chad acted when he was KND Supreme Leader 6 years ago.
"The atmospheric readings haven't changed at all, which means the GKND's O.B.L.I.V.A.-gas isn't spreading globally, so we're safe from that. But we don't have any idea why it's not spreading."
"Either Earth's atmosphere is somehow working against it or something else is countering it." Corvus remarks as Herbie brings up a 3D projection of Earth, with the GSF's Treehouse visible floating above the magnetic North Pole.
"Indeed, but until we've acquired more atmospheric samples, we can't move on that front. However, what we should really be worried about is the giant energy shield they've trapped the Earth in. Corvus, you said it's a one-way door that only allows access inside it but not out, is that right?"
"Yeah. But that's not all it can go." Corvus then points at the shield and drags his index finger towards the Extension's current location and frowns. "It blocks all communications too, unless they're on a GKND frequency."
"Then we're pretty much stuck here. What the heck are we gonna do?" a frustrated Rosa asks the others, prompting Chad to fold his hands and squint at the hologram sternly.
"It's true that we can't contact other Sectors or anybody else for that matter, but that doesn't mean we're out of options. I think we should first get in contact with Australian TND and KND Sectors, manually. We'll send a scouting party to the closest Treehouse or TND base and get them to help us."
"That sounds a bit risky mon, what if the GKND have already taken them down by now?" Keith says to Chad, who nods.
"Yeah, it's risky, but right now, risks all we can take. And it beats waiting for the GKND to make the first move. We've gotta gain the initiative."
"Yer damn right! If we just sit around and do nothing, the GNKD are gonna come for us. And if you need volunteers for a recon party, you can count me in!" Fanny declares to the others and Keith also puts his hand up.
"Heh, then also I'm goin'. But we're gonna need a KND operative or two with us as well. You all know the KND haven't really trusted us since that fight in Mexico, right?"
"Fair point. I'll talk with Numbuh Mu and ask if there are any able KND operatives who want to help. Most of the ones who ended up here were injured in the battle. Numbuh Delta, you leave planning the recon mission to me." Herbie tells Chad and turns his attention to a computer near the table. "We can't use the portals over long ranges, and the Space Fleet is needed here incase of a GKND attack, so we'll need a ship from the Extension's hangar. Numbuh Rho, order the Armory Section to go through what we have in there and prepare a fast transport for Numbuh Beta's team."
"Of course. I'll see what I can do." Rosa nods back as Chad takes over.
"Alright, now we're getting somewhere." Then, Chad contacts Kieran in the Science Tower, who is clearly showing signs of exhaustion. "Numbuh Omicron?"
"Huh?! Ack, Numbuh Delta?! This better be important, I'm really busy, incase ya haven't noticed!"
"Calm down! We're just asking for a status update, that's all." Chad snaps at the Scottish Science Chief and points at the other teenagers accompanying him, startling Kieran.
"Oh-you're all there…right, *cough* sorry about that…"
"Don't worry about it, mon. How's everything goin' in there?" a laid-back Keith gestures to Kieran, who turns to face the camera fully, his face revealing the full extent of his exhaustion.
"The damage control crews are repairing the exterior, but we don't have enough junk to fully restore the damaged outer hull, so we're just sealing the exposed parts."
"Then we've gotta do a supply run as well…Numbuh Rho, sorry to pile things on you, but can your Section spare a few operatives to secure junk. If necessary, we'll scrap some of the Space Fleet's ships for spare parts." Herbie asks Rosa.
"Yeah, totally. That's the Armory Section's job. Numbuh Omicron, can your scientists prepare a list for us so we'll know what to look for?"
"…Aye, I'll get somebody to work on that." Kieran replies, having blanked out for a brief moment, alarming the others.
"Hey, have you slept at all since we landed?"
"Of course I have, Numbuh Delta, I just…*yawn* there's so much work to do and…anyway, about that GKND member Numbuh Alpha…took out. We managed to stabilize them and they're not in mortal danger anymore. We removed all their weapons and equipment too."
"Good job. Corvus said he wants to interrogate that operative when they wake up." Chad replies as Kieran turns the camera towards a large stack of destroyed I.N.V.A.D.O.B.O.T.'s.
"And we've got a humongous amount of-*yawn* GKND 2x4 technology thanks to all these robots they decided to fill the base with. Now our own 2x4 technology can improve by leaps…ugh…" but then, Kieran almost loses his balance, prompting his Deputy, the bald Filipino agent Numbuh Pi-34 and a few other Science Section members to grab him. "Urgh…hey, I can stand by myself!"
"Numbuh Omicron, you're not in condition to work right now! Numbuh Phi-34, send him to Numbuh Mu for a checkup. You're in-charge until he gets better!" Herbie tells the Deputy, but Kieran refuses to relinquish command.
"No! I'm all right! Let go of me!"
"Omicron, you've got massive bags under your eyes, and you can barely stand! You need to rest!" Chad implores to a furious Kieran, who continues to resist as his subordinates restrain him.
"I said let go! The Science Section can't run without me! I've still got so much work to do! I…I haven't…done enough…" then, the Science Chief's head and shoulders slump down as his voice fades.
"Yer burning yourself out, ya gearhead. Don't make me come down there and drag ya over to Numbuh Mu!" Fanny threatens the downtrodden Kieran, who nods in defeat.
"…aye…you're right…I'll go." he mutters and is escorted away from the screen, but his words catch Keith's attention, and he shoots a glance at Chad.
"…he's overworking himself because of Numbuh Alpha." he tells Chad, who remains stoic.
"…I know where you're going with that…and I said what I wanted to say back then." he replies before turning his attention back to Numbuh Pi-34. "Step up the repair work. We need to get the external defenses up as well."
"About that, Numbuh Delta, the Sooper Reactor alone can't power all of the Extension's defenses and especially not all at once. The system only worked before because the Extension was connected to the Moonbase and the re-entry drained all of our reserves." Pi-34 explains to the others, frustrating them further.
"Just what we needed, an energy shortage…" Chad shakes his head as Herbie uses a computer to do some calculations.
"Numbuh Pi-34 is right, we'll risk overloading the Cyclical Sodarium Sooper Reactor if we try to activate the B.O.L.L.I.D.E.R. shield and the turrets all at once. It only worked during re-entry because of Corvus, but I doubt even you can handle stabilizing the reactor again.
"If I wanted to get atomized, sure." Corvus replies dryly as Numbuh Pi-34 puts his hand up.
"Numbuh Omicron already came up with a solution to that. He proposed using those large engines the GKND clamped onto the Extension. He's been examining them non-stop since we landed."
"Hmph, of course he would. Okay, we'll leave that to you and the rest of the Science Section. Call Numbuh Iota-3 if you need any help, got it? You can get back to work."
"Roger that! We'll get right to it, Numbuh Delta!" Pi-34 salutes Chad, who responds in kind before ending the transmission.
"So now we've got a recon mission, a supply run and an energy deficiency to deal with. Numbuh Delta, we're going to need you to lead the Extension's defense if the GKND or anyone else attacks us."
"Leave it to me." Chad says to Herbie who then points at Keith and Fanny.
"You two, come with me. We need to plan the recon mission."
"Right on, mon."
"Good, I was getting' bored." the pair reply while Rosa puts her hand on Fanny's shoulder.
"Don't overwork yourself either, okay? You've got that look in your eye."
"What 'look'? I'm fine. I just don't like sittin' on my butt, doin' nothing." Fanny snaps at Rosa, but both she and Keith know Fanny is still very much devastated by what happened to Patton but has refused to show it.
"Don't worry, Numbuh Rho, that's exactly why I'm goin' with her."
"Hey! What do ya mean by that!" Fanny turns her fury on Keith, who isn't intimidated one bit by her murderous glare and starts pulling her away with Herbie in tow. "Oi, let go of me you stupid boy! I said, LET GO!" she screams as the door closes behind the trio, leaving only Chad, Corvus and Rosa in the CO room.
"I'm gonna head down to the Armory to sort out the supply mission. Keep me posted if something happens out there."
"Yeah, of course." a stone-faced Chad replies before Rosa also exits, allowing Corvus to speak with him in private.
"You look like you're right at home leading all these people."
"Heh, aren't you forgetting I used to lead Earth's KND for years? I'm not all talk." Chad smirks confidently at Corvus, who huffs.
"Hmph, yeah, sure. Anyway, don't think we're out of the fire yet. Since the GKND can't pacify the planet with the gas, they'll have to get up close and personal. And you know what means, right?" the O.M.E.G.A. Number asks Chad, who's smile fades instantly and he glares out of the CO room's repaired windows.
"Yeah. They'll come here. Wouldn't be surprised if they sick Numbuh S-26 and Tera at us again."
"Aren't you forgetting something else? They'll plunder and raze the planet first. With E.N.R.O.A.C.H.E.R.'s and T.R.E.E.-F.O.R.T.'s. We'll need a planet's worth of weapons to bring even one of those things down. Heck, all they need to do is drop a T.R.E.E.-F.O.R.T. on-top of us and its game over."
"We'll find a way to counter them. Dammit, if only Sector V and other O.M.E.G.A. Numbers were here too…" then, Corvus folds his arms and looks at Chad sternly.
"Virgo is still a problem. You haven't been able to contact them, have you?"
"I tried once, but the effort nearly made me faint. But I could sense Numbuh 1. He's still alive and is somewhere in space. Maybe it's the shield that's blocking our link."
"Let's hope you're right and they're alive. Virgo won't hesitate to kill them if she's given the chance. You know her criminal record, right?" Corvus asks Chad, who grimaces.
"She's a Teen Villain of the worst kind, that I know. But she's dealing with Numbuh 1's team. She hasn't met anybody like them. After all, I trained Numbuh 1."
"*sigh* It's always about you, isn't it? Alright, I'll take your word on that. But we need to keep trying to contact him. If the GKND catch them, we're screwed."
"I know, I know." Chad tells Corvus and walks over to the CO room's window and gazes up at the crimson hued midday sky. "You guys gotta come back to Earth. We need all six O.M.E.G.A. Numbers if we're gonna take back Earth."
…
Meanwhile, a lone figure, leaning on two crutches, limps through the high-security floor deep inside the Science Tower. As the hallway's dim red light shines on them, they lift their head and they are none other than Rachel. She is still wrapped in bandages but has recovered enough to walk and is now making her way towards the Containment Room, where Eliza is being held. The armored doors before her slide open one by one, before she arrives at a control room, operated by a member of the Science Section and two medics. "Numbuh Epsilon!" the agents salute Rachel, who is wearing an orange jumper, aqua blue shorts and burgundy sandals and her hair has been pulled back into a ponytail.
"At ease. Is Numbuh Alpha awake?"
"Yeah, she's uhm…working out right now." the beanie wearing science agent replies.
"Heh, figures. I'm going in there; can you give us some privacy?" Rachel asks the agent's, who nod and pull down the shutters of their control booth's window, overlooking Eliza's white-walled room.
"We'll turn off the microphones, but the thermal scanner and cameras are staying on, you know why."
"I know, I know." Rachel nods and heads down the stairs towards a pair of triple-layered, heat resistant doors, which slide away, allowing to enter Rachel to go inside the Containment Room, where Eliza, wearing her light green hoodie, white top and green sweatpants, is exercising on a 2x4 treadmill.
"*pant* Huff…*pant*…*gasp*…huff…huh?" alerted by the sound of the doors opening, Eliza looks over her shoulder and sees Rachel approaching her slowly. "Ra…Rachel?" she gasps and turns off the treadmill before cautiously greeting her friend, who notices Eliza's pitch-black hair and Silhouette Suit covered left arm. However, she immediately sweeps Eliza into hug.
"You're back to yourself again…thank goodness." Rachel says to Eliza and hugs her tighter, prompting the remorseful TND Supreme Commander to hug her back.
"I'm so sorry, Rachel…I…I lost control and I…"
"It's okay, those burns were nothing compared to what you went through." a relieved Rachel lets go of Eliza and they sit down on the pod Eliza slept in. "Numbuh Delta told me you saw what happened to The Kid."
Upon hearing The Kid's name, Eliza immediately twitches and lowers her head, her now black bangs covering her eyes. Then, she begins to tremble and clench her fists, trying her best to not cry. "…they took him…and I couldn't do anything…" she mutters as Rachel puts her hand on Eliza's back. "That…GKND operative did something to him…"
"What?"
"He was hit…by some sort of beam that…transformed him…" Eliza replies and looks at her hands before closing them, causing a tiny blue flame to briefly cover her left hand, which immediately causes the F.R.A.P.P.E. turrets to point at her. "The…operative said he wasn't human…that he was the son of a GKND operative." she explains as Rachel listens sternly.
"But that's not possible! His parents are humans. Didn't you check his background yourself when you recruited him?"
"That's what the operative said! And…I saw it…how he transformed…his right arm turned green and grew talons…and a wing grew out of his left shoulder!" Eliza exclaims to Rachel, who folds her arms, shaking her head in disbelief. "The operative said something about him being a half-O…Orninyxian, like Corvus and Cygnus."
"No way…"
"And when he was…teleported out…I…I lost it…" a lamenting Eliza wraps her arms around her shoulders and shivers. "…you…you know about…the S.I.N., right?"
"Yeah. You've been sneaking it out of Numbuh Omicron's research storage…" Rachel replies grimly, making Eliza to feel worse.
"…I thought…if I could master the Silhouette Suit…I could use it for good…like Nigel did…"
"Eliza…"
"But I…couldn't…control myself…no matter how hard I had trained in secret…and I nearly ended up blowing this place up…" Eliza laments and shakes her head. "I…I couldn't even save Kid… I failed him…and everyone else."
"Don't say that! Him getting caught wasn't your fault!"
"IT WAS!" Eliza shouts as her hair lights up in blue flames, gaining the attention of the turrets, who point lasers at her head and scaring Rachel.
"Eliza!" she gestures to Eliza, who realizes she nearly blow her top and forcibly calms down.
"Sorry…I guess the Suit makes it hard for me to…control my temper…but…it was my fault he was caught…I was the one who…*sniff*…" then, tears start forming in Eliza's eyes. "I…told him…to leave the CO room…I left him all alone to defend…the floor…all-*sob*…all because of…a stupid…argument…ghhhh…*sob*. Eliza starts crying hysterically, prompting Rachel to hug her friend once more. "I was so…damn stupid! He…he made one lousy comment, and I couldn't let go! That's why he got captured! WAAAAAAHHH!"
"…" Rachel remains silents as she comforts her friend, who's breakdown reminds how Rachel herself broke down after she had learned the truth about her work as a Teen Hunter, how most of the fugitives she, Patton, Fanny and others caught ended up Erased by the Splinter Cell.
"We're did I screw up, Rachel?! It wasn't supposed to go like this!" Eliza pleads to Rachel, who finds it hard to hold back her own tears.
"Things rarely do go according to plan, you know that better than anyone. But…even though you can't go back and undo it…you can still make things right. Keep moving forward…" she tells Eliza, who continues to sob in her arms.
A good while later, having both managed to calm down, Rachel explains what their current situation is, as the latter has spent most of her time resting, being alone with her thoughts. "…so right now, we're pretty much stuck in Australia, but I'm sure Numbuh Delta and the others have already come up with plan on how to proceed."
"That's good, I guess…" Eliza replies with raspy voice but refuses to look back at Rachel.
"And we don't know where Sector V and the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers are…nor where the Moonbase is. Numbuh Lambda's ship stayed behind and…we haven't heard from him since then."
"…dammit…"
"That's why we need you back too. Numbuh Delta was handling your job while both of us where out, but the role of Supreme Commander belongs to you, Eliza."
"…" avoiding Rachel's intense gaze, Eliza refuses to give her friend a reply.
"Listen to me!"
"No…"
"Huh?" Rachel raises an eyebrow at Eliza, who shakes her head once more.
"I…I can't do it…"
"What do you mean you can't?! You're our Supreme Commander."
"Not anymore." Eliza mutters and stands up, gazing up at the ceiling as the turrets follow her every move. "…I…I just can't…handle that responsibility." she laments as Rachel also gets up and stares at Eliza in disbelief.
"You…you can't be serious…? But we need you!"
"Look at me!" Eliza gestures with her hands, revealing that the Silhouette Suit has already started to cover the left side of her face and neck. "I'm a monster who can't control herself. I'm a liability."
"No' you're not, Eliza! You can't let that Suit define who you are! You can overcome it, just like Nige..."
"I'M NOT LIKE NIGEL!" Eliza roars, surrounding herself in blue flames, which prompts the alarms to go off and she is instantly struck by the freeze rays.
"Eliza!" Rachel screams as she the room is filled with steam, leaving a soaking wet Eliza laying on the floor, who struggles to get up. "Let me help you…"
"No!" Eliza pushes Rachel away, who sees thin, black lines spreading slowly from Eliza's hair line near her left ear. "…I can't…be like Nigel…I was never as good as him…so stop…comparing him to me. He overcame…his Suit. We both saw it…but I…I'm too weak. I was weak back then…and I'm too weak now too."
"You're wrong Eliza! You're…" but before Rachel can say anything else, the armored doors behind her open and a voice is heard through the loudspeakers on the wall.
"Numbuh Epsilon, you need to leave now. Numbuh Alpha has to rest in the pod, or else her Suit might react from the emotional stimuli."
"…*sigh*…Roger that." Rachel hisses but before she turns around and heads back, she walks over to Eliza and puts her hand on her friend's shoulder. "No matter what you say to me or anybody else, you're still the Supreme Commander of the Teens Next Door. We'll wait until you're ready. And you can control that Silhouette Suit. I know you can." she tells the despondent Eliza and walks away and as the doors close behind her, Eliza curls up on the floor and begins to sob, consumed by her immense guilt and self-loathing as a mad cackle echoes in her head.
Then, an Extension-wide alarm goes off, before a robotic voice delivers a chilling message:
"Alert, multiple launches have been detected from the GKND Treehouse, repeat…"
…
One week later.
In the winding hallways of the GSF's Treehouse, the force's Commander, the tiger-like Numbuh Exa marches firmly through a sliding door and enters a round, two-tiered conference room, where he is greeted by Numbuh 74.239, Numbuh Infinity and Numbuh Lyrical. "Commander!" she salutes her direct superior, who does the same, as do two former spies, before Exa joins them on the round walkway that runs along the perimeter of the room. However, none of them notice that the armored doors have not closed completely, leaving a small gap to the hallway.
"Now that everyone is assembled, we can begin. Galactic Command and the Supreme Leader themselves are waiting." Infinity tells the others and places his right hand on a spherical control panel bolted on to the walkway's railing. "This Numbuh Infinity, Commander of GKND Covert Operations. Galactic Communications Command, do you copy?"
"*ZZZZZTTTT* *beep* This is Communications Command, what is your transmission code."
"X-C-6-Y-G-0, Priority level S."
"…Code acknowledged. Rerouting to Galactic Command conference server. *ZZZZZZTTTTT*"
With baited the breath, the operatives wait as 4 screens lining the room's walls light up, followed by the large wide, half-bulb-shaped screen in the ceiling, which begins to glow brightly. "Galactic Command shall now convene." the booming, composite voice of GKND Supreme Leader Aleph Zero echoes throughout the conference room as symbols appear on the light-up screens. "Present for this meeting will be Head of Galactic Decommissioning, Numbuh Nominal."
"I'm looking forward to this..." a hissing, feminine voice responds through one of the screens, her appearance hidden by her symbol.
"Chief of the Galactic Science Division, Numbuh Negative Umpteen."
"Accounted for." a high-pitched, slightly shaky voice replies.
"Leader of the Galactic Intelligence Division, Beth Numbuh."
"This better be good." a bored, sultry female voice mutters.
"And the Commander of the Galactic Fleet, Numbuh Ordinal."
"Hmph." a gruff voice grunts before the glowing half-bulb-shaped screen shines lights at the operatives standing on the walkway.
"Commander Numbuh Exa, We have called this meeting to review how Operation: R.E.M.O.V.A.L. has gone so far and how you should proceed. Now, while each of us has read the frequent reports you have sent us, we wish to hear it from you personally." Aleph Zero addresses Numbuh Exa, who goes down one knee and bows his head.
"As you wish, Supreme Leader." Exa then proceeds to recount everything since the GSF entered the solar system, while the four Commanders and Aleph Zero listen silently. "…and now, Phase 2 is well underway, despite the setbacks I just mentioned." Numbuh Exa finishes and stands up, while Lyrical squints silently at the screens, which remain quiet.
"We understand. Commanders, your thoughts?"
"Hmm…Well, it's pretty clear those teenagers are a bigger pain the butt than we thought." Numbuh Nominal remarks as Negative Umpteen's screen blinks.
"Affirmative Numbuh Nominal. While Numbuh S-26's reports were very detailed, we have clearly underestimated them. The Science Division shall review the data you sent and will provide additional equipment should the need arise. However, what worries me more is that the O.B.L.I.V.A.-gas has not worked. Securing the planet's resources will be much harder now that the human population is aware of our presence."
"Bah, why couldn't you just blow up the planet with the P.L.A.N.E.T.B.L.I.T.E.R.A.T.O.R. and move on? I don't see any point in keeping a diseased planet intact for so long. You guys are just risking getting infected with the Adulthood Virus." Numbuh Ordinal growls to the others, causing the bored Beth Numbuh to huff.
"And lose all those resources? Have you forgotten that Earth is one of the few locations of the Fourth Flavor? Or the fact a Fountain of Youth is also there? Need I remind you that we need a sample of the fountain's water for our anti-aging research."
"Grrr, you can just find another planet! This whole operation is a waste of time! Just blow it up and…*gasp*"
"That is enough, Numbuh Ordinal. Just as Beth Numbuh said, Earth holds valuable resources that the Galactic Kids Next Door needs. And, the GSF is under Our direct command, not yours. They will act when We order them." Aleph Zero silences the Fleet Commander, and their tone intimidates the others, especially 74.239, who begins to chew on his wooden nails out of fear, but Numbuh Exa remains stoic.
"Ye…yes, Supreme Leader, sorry…I was out of line."
"Do not apologize. You have a valid point; Earth poses a grave threat to the continued survival of Kiddom. A planet with an organized teenager faction that is allied with the local KND branch can only lead to an increased spread of the Adulthood Virus. That is why We had Numbuh Exa attack the teenagers first." Then, Aleph Zero shines the light on Numbuh Exa once more. "What is the status of the Moonbase reclamation?"
"Our forces have successfully taken over the Moonbase, but, so far, they haven't been able to find any of the KND operatives who stayed behind when Sector Arid's Treehouse dragged it through the Leap portal."
"The Moonbase must be cleansed and repurposed as soon as possible, Numbuh Exa. It still valuable for the GKND."
"I'm aware of that, Commander Numbuh Negative Umpteen. It will be done."
"Your report mentioned Numbuh Shrike captured the son of Numbuh Vermillion, is that correct?"
"Yes Supreme Leader. He has been kept in isolation. Numbuh Lyrical?"
"Ah, I've subjected him to the Nebula Crystal's psychic waves constantly, as ordered." a nervous Lyrical tells Galactic Command before Negative Umpteen's screen flashes.
"He's is a teenager, so if you cannot turn him into a Teen Drone, you are to send him to the Galactic Science Division. He is a valuable specimen." he addresses Exa, who nods back.
"Of course, Commander."
"And the teenagers? Have you located their hideout yet?"
"Yes we have. However, they managed to organize an entire continent's worth of teenagers and kids into an effective fighting force in only 7 Solar Cycles. We'll need to deploy a T.R.E.E.-F.O.R.T. there soon…"
"If I may, Supreme Leader." Numbuh Infinity interrupts Exa, causing the Pantherian to shoot a cold glance at the Musteloid as the light is shined on him instead. "It's also important to remember that Omnius is still on Earth and has allied himself with the leader of the Teen Ninjas and the Adult Super Villains. So far, we haven't been able to locate him."
"I figured you haven't. Let me guess, Numbuh S-26 is still out of commission?" Nominal hisses at Infinity, who reluctantly nods.
"We have managed to thaw him out of the ice, but he was exposed to extreme temperatures, so he is receiving heat treatment."
"It is truly incredible what an Overlayed O.M.E.G.A. Number can do. To instantly freeze a Luminosian, quite remarkable."
"This is not the time to marvel at your creation, Numbuh Negative Umpteen. The O.M.E.G.A. Numbers are just as big of a threat as Omnius!" Beth Numbuh snaps at the Galactic Science Chief as Ordinal lets out a loud roar.
"Raaargh! That's why I said we gotta blow that planet up! If we can't have the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers, then nobody can!"
"No! They must be retrieved intact! Otherwise, we cannot mass-produce them and…" the meeting devolves into childish bickering among the Galactic Commanders while Numbuh Aleph Zero remains oddly silent.
"Oh boy, I forgot how much the Commanders can't stand each other…" Lyrical thinks to herself while Exa takes a step forward.
"Supreme Leader?" his question immediately earns him the Commander's ire, especially Numbuh Nominal's.
"Numbuh Exa! You weren't given permission to speak! You'll talk only when the…"
"Yes, Numbuh Exa?" the Supreme Leader replies to the GSF Commander, silencing the Galactic Commanders.
"What do you think we should do about the multiple threats?" Exa asks, staring intensely at the round screen in the ceiling.
"Securing resources is your top priority. However, if your reports are accurate, then the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers can be located, is that true?"
"Yes." Exa replies and points at Numbuh Lyrical. "My Vice-Commander, Numbuh Lyrical has confirmed that the second half of the Nebula Crystal is in the possession of a human who is most likely a descendant of Numbuh Siren. It is possible for her to locate the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers through her, because the said human was seen with the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers before the teenager's base was separated."
"I can also confirm that at least 5 of the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers are with the teenagers who were previously known as Sector V." Numbuh Infinity notes to the Galactic Command members, who begin muttering amongst themselves.
"Se…Sector V?! The Sector V? The ones who brought down Grandfather and Father?"
"Indeed, Negative Umpteen. Their leader was an Earth Representative Candidate, who refused Numbuh 74.239's offer to join the GKND 4 years ago." Beth Numbuh explains to the other commanders, but both Exa and Lyrical did not miss the nervous tone the Galactic Science Chief, nor how Numbuh 74.239 began to clench his bark-covered hands the moment Infinity mentioned Sector V.
"T…*cough* Then they must be captured at once!" Negative Umpteen shouts abruptly, making the GSF Commander and Vice-Commander even more suspicious. "Supreme Leader, don't you agree?"
"…Yes, We do. Project: O.M.E.G.A. is vital in our continued struggle against the Adulthood Virus. Numbuh Exa, since your previous attempt to capture them using only Junior Officers failed, We are revising Phase 2's mission personnel." Aleph Zero tells Exa, who nods back silently and despite hiding it very well, he is not pleased by the Supreme Leader's implications. "Numbuh Infinity, Numbuh 74.239, from here on out, you two will be in-charge of capturing the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers and Sector V. Numbuh Exa, you will focus on securing the resources, and defeating any organized resistance left on the planet. However, We expect full cooperation from all three of you at all times. Because of the severe threat posed by that planet's residents, there is no room for arguing like adults. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Supreme Leader!" Exa instantly salutes Aleph Zero, as do Infinity and 74.239, before the GKND Supreme Leader continues the meeting.
Meanwhile, in the very same floor, the GSF'S Air Commander, the black, blue feathered Numbuh Aerook, Liaison Officer Numbuh Geo-4 and Junior Officer Numbuh Dirus, are walking together along a hallway that leads to the conference room. Dirus is especially cheerful, having finally been released from the medical wing. "*stretch* Ah, feels great to be back on my feet! You guys have no idea who boring lying in bed is!" the Lycan says as she throws her arms in the air, prompting Geo-4 to smile a bit.
"Heh, I heard the nurses had to restrain you to your bed, because of your sleepwalking."
"Bah-hah-hah-hah! You still do that?! What are you, an adult?" Aerook points mockingly at Dirus, who immediately smacks Geo-4 on the shoulder in embarrassment.
"Big bro! Why'd you tell him that?! Now that scatter beak won't shut up about it!"
"Who are you calling a 'scatter beak'?!"
"Well, you're the only one here with a beak so…" Numbuh Dirus huffs and looks away, angering Aerook.
"Grrr, don't make me pull rank on you, Numbuh Dirus! I can put you on toilet cleaning duty!"
"Hey, toilet cleaning is serious work and not everyone can do it!" Geo-4 intervenes while puffing his rocky chest, causing both Aerook and Dirus to sigh at the terramorph.
"Big bro…don't act so proud about it…"
"You really need to move on from your janitor life." Aerook shakes his head, but does not continue his argument with Dirus any further as he is reminded of something. "…but once that conference is over, I'm gonna ask Numbuh Exa to let me go find that one ship."
"What ship?" Geo-4 asks, prompting Aerook to show a holographic recording of his 2x4 ship's gun camera from the Moonbase battle.
"This! Somehow, that piece of scrap metal managed to out fight me! ME! In a V.I.D.A.R.T.! My custom build V.I.D.A.R.T. got humiliated by a transport ship!" he rants as both Geo-4 and Dirus look at the footage with interest.
"Whoa, how's that thing turning so well…"
"I wanna know how it managed to dodge all those beams, Big bro." the pair mutter before Aerook turns off the recording and folds his arms in frustration.
"Wherever that ship is, I'm gonna find it and shoot it down! I'm the Air Commander of the Galactic Subjugation Force! Nobody's ever beaten me like that, and I won't let it happen again!"
"Ooh, well would ya look at that, the mighty Numbuh Aerook actually admits being defeated. Hah-hah-hah!"
"Graah! Stop laughing you stupid Lycan or I'll…!"
"Shhh! Guys, look." Geo-4 interrupts the argument once more and points at an armored ahead of them, which is not fully closed and bright light shining through the gap. "…that's…the Ga…Galactic Command Cccccconference Rrrroom…" the terramorph stutters so wildly small pebbles off his body while both Aerook and Dirus become equally nervous.
"The…door isn't closed…mmmaybe we should just turn around and-Hey! What are you doing, Commander?!" Dirus hisses as Numbuh Aerook slowly sneaks towards the door and hunkers down next to the gap.
"Nnnnnumbuh Aerook, you can't do that! Only Exa and Lyrical are allowed in there!"
"Shhh! I wanna hear what they're talking about. Now shut up or scram." Aerook replies to Dirus and Geo-4, who both look at each other, before sighing at the same time.
"…we're so screwed either way…" Dirus mutters and kneels next to Aerook, while Geo-4 immediately thinks of running away, but then, shakes his head and joins the pair.
"I hope we won't get Decommissioned for this…."
"Shhh!"
On the other side of the door, the conference has proceeded without any further large arguments, but then, Numbuh Exa turns his attention to the screen belonging to Numbuh Negative Umpteen. "Before we move on, I want to ask something about the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers." he gestures towards the Galactic Science Chief's screen, earning an alarmed look from 74.239.
"Numbuh Exa, I can answer any questions regarding the…*gasp*!"
"Your question is permitted, Numbuh Exa. Proceed."
"Is it true that 5 of the 6 O.M.E.G.A. Numbers are former GKND operatives." Exa's question turns 74.239's face pale and his mouth begins to shake while gasps are heard from the Commander's screens and not even Infinity is able to keep his composure.
"Numbuh Exa, that information is classified! Where did you hear about this?!" Nominal yells while Numbuh Negative Umpteen's screen remains silent.
"Huh? What's he talking about? Aren't the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers just a bunch of captured criminals?"
"Yes they are, Numbuh Ordinal and that all you need to know. That goes for you as well, Numbuh Exa. You're lucky you're the GSF's leader or otherwise we'd Decommission you on the spot for knowing classified info." Beth Numbuh says coldly to Exa, who is not phased and stands his ground.
"I know of this because of the data left behind in the Void Prison after my troops suppressed the riot. The O.M.E.G.A. Number's containers had 5 names written inside them and one of the names belonged to my older brother. Ever since then, I've had a feeling my brother is an O.M.E.G.A. Number. Also, every time I have mentioned the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers in any capacity in-front of Numbuh 74.239, he's turned pale and kept dodging the subject. His actions only confirmed my suspicions and because of that, I want clarity. Did the Galactic Science Division turn my brother and 4 other GKND operatives into the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers?" his defiance leaves Lyrical speechless while Numbuh 74.239 begins to panic.
"Nu…Numbuh Exa, that's enough! Project: O.M.E.G.A. is under Galactic Science Division jurisdiction, not yours! I suggest to you close your mouth right now or…"
"Enough." Aleph Zero silences everyone with their booming voice and shines a light on Exa, who stands firm before the GKND Supreme Leader. "Why do you want know, Numbuh Exa?"
"Because I want to know for sure that one of them is my older brother, former GKND operative and fugitive, Numbuh Ferox. I want to have no doubts before I capture him." he answers sternly, showing no fear in Numbuh Aleph Zero's presence.
"As expected of you Numbuh Exa. Numbuh Negative Umpteen, show him the list."
"But, but Supreme Leader, are you sure about this?! You yourself said not to reveal this to anyone." Negative Umpteen pleads with Aleph Zero, but the GKND's Supreme Leader has made their decision.
"Do it."
"…very well, Supreme Leader." the Galactic Science Chief replies and a holographic projection appears on the floor of the conference room, which displays the former appearances and codenames of Libra, Cygnus, Leo, Corvus and Scorpius and Virgo's villain name. This revelation causes Numbuh Exa's upper lip to twitch slightly while Numbuh Lyrical cannot believe her eyes.
However, unknown the everyone in the conference room, another set of eyes has seen the list's contents. "Nu…Numbuh Canard…no…that…that can't be…" Numbuh Aerook thinks as his beak shakes slightly. "I thought she…was Decommissioned…and now she's on the teenager's side…" his shock slowly turns into anger, frustration and finally, rage, before the Orninyxian gets up and runs away from the door.
"Aerook, where are ya going?!" Dirus yells silently but Aerook does not answer, prompting Geo-4 to grab Numbuh Dirus' arm and pull her away. "Hey!"
"Shhh! Let's run! We weren't supposed to see that." Geo-4 tells the Lycan, and the pair run after the shaken Numbuh Aerook.
Back in the conference room, Negative Umpteen turns off the projection, before Numbuh Aleph Zero addresses everyone. "What you saw here must not, under any circumstances, leak to anyone else. We only allowed you to see this information as a personal favor to Numbuh Exa. The details of Project: O.M.E.G.A. must be kept hidden until the rest of the GKND are ready for it, but that time is not now. Do you swear to utter secrecy on this matter?"
"Yes, we do, Supreme Leader Numbuh Aleph Zero." everyone answers in unison, before the Supreme Leader continues.
"Good. We will now end the meeting but first, Numbuh Exa, We expect that you will not hesitate when you encounter O.M.E.G.A. Number 4. That subject is no longer your brother."
"Yes, I will not let you down, Supreme Leader." Numbuh Exa replies stoically before Aleph Zero shines their lights on the GKND Commanders.
"As of now, GKND's alert level has been raised to Level: Eleventy Buhmillion. Earth's events must be contained and must not spread to other systems. Increase security and surveillance."
"It will be done, Supreme Leader." Nominal says while Beth Numbuh lets out a lazy sigh.
"More work for us…can't be helped. I'll have the Galactic Intelligence Division triple their planetary surveillance."
"Numbuh Negative Umpteen, have the Science Division provide support to the GSF when needed."
"Understood."
"And Numbuh Ordinal, put the Space Forces on high alert. We are aware that your fleets are still hunting the escaped prisoners from the Void Prison, but the current situation requires more patrols."
"Yeah, leave it to me. I'll get 'em reorganized."
"Excellent. This meeting is now adjourned. Galactic Kids Next Door, forever."
"Galactic Kids Next Door, forever!" Then, one by one, the screens shut down, before Aleph Zero's ceiling screen turns black, prompting Numbuh 74.239 to turn his large single eye towards the emotionless Numbuh Exa.
"I hope you're happy! Do you have any idea how dangerous that information you were shown is?!" he says with distain, prompting Exa to fold his arms.
"I had no choice. Your superior turned my brother into a living weapon, when all this time, I'd thought he had been Decommissioned."
"He was a teenager, expendable! And, might I add, highly dangerous! Aren't you forgetting how many Decommissioning Operatives he injured before he was subdued or is your Pantherian brain too small to remember?!" Then, in an instant, Numbuh Exa swiftly grabs 74.239 by his chest and lifts him up, alarming Infinity and Lyrical. "Ahhh! Let me go you ice-veined nimravid brute!"
"Numbuh Exa, that's enough!"
"Commander?!"
"Do not, preach me, about how my brother was caught. I was the one who brought him in. I know better than anyone what happened." Exa tells 74.239 and drops hip to the floor, his cold stare making the plantiform shiver from fear. "And I'm not interested in hearing your justifications either, Numbuh 74.239. But, if you and Infinity fail to capture him, I will. Keep that in your heads, both of you." Then, the GSF Commander marches out of the conference room before the others can say anything, but not far from the door, he sees a small pile of pebbles. "…the door…somebody heard us…"
"Co…Commander Exa!" Lyrical shouts before leaving as well, prompting Numbuh Infinity to squint at 74.239, who slowly gets up.
"You're playing with fire, 74.239."
"Are you seriously taking his side?! Numbuh Exa defied the Supreme Leader! He had no right to ask something so blatantly dangerous!"
"I'm not taking his side. I'm merely saying, insulting him isn't going to make this operation go any smoother." Numbuh Infinity tells the angered scientist, who huffs and turns his attention to a computer terminal and starts typing.
"He's a Pantherian and no matter how hard he's trying to hide it, he's still a violent brute under that mask. They're only good as muscle. How somebody like him rose to such a position defies all logic!"
"Right, if you say so." Infinity replies and glances at the conference room's door. "Have the intelligence reports arrived yet?"
"I was about to read them. This conference took too long…let's see here…Excelsior!" 74.239 pumps his left fist in the air and smirks at the computer screen. "Just like you thought, Sector V and the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers are hiding in the debris field. This is our chance to strike."
"We'll need to take it up to Numbuh Exa first. We can't act behind his back anymore."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Hmph."
Out in the hallway, Lyrical runs after Numbuh Exa, who is moving very swiftly ahead of her. "Commander! Commander, wait!" however, Exa is too deep in his own thoughts to hear anybody. "Commander!"
"I knew he'd been turned into a weapon; I just knew it. Those specs and enhancements wouldn't have worked with any other species except a Pantherian…but you deserved to end up like that, brother. Anyone who turns their back on the GKND is a traitor."
"Commander!" out of frustration, Lyrical slams her staff's blunt end against the floor, creating controlled shockwave that strikes Numbuh Exa's legs, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Hmph? Numbuh Lyrical, what did I tell you about using that?" he says with an annoyed tone as his Vice-Commander walks to his side.
"I had to get your attention somehow."
"…what is it?"
"Don't act like you weren't affected by what Negative Umpteen showed us." Lyrical squints disapprovingly at his superior, who stares back, refusing to show a speck of emotion on his face.
"I heard what I wanted and that's that. If you're worried about it affecting me, don't. I'm more motivated than ever, now that I know the truth about my brother. I'm surprised you're so calm, knowing that one of the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers is a fellow Cyrenian."
"She's just a villain nobody. Besides, I don't really care about the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers. I've got something more important in my mind." Lyrical replies and waves the ornamental end of her staff before Exa's face.
"Have you been able to locate them?"
"I've seen a few glimpses, but I can't say for sure yet…I'd need to get closer. But I know the other half isn't on Earth. But once I find it I will…urgh…*gasp*…" suddenly, Lyrical is gripped by immense pain that causes her to lose her balance, prompting Exa to grab her left arm.
"Numbuh Lyrical?"
"Urgh…*groan*…wha…what's…hap…pening…" Lyrical grips her staff with both hands as she collapses on her knees, before her half of the Nebula Crystal starts to blink. Then, Lyrical's vision blurs as a pink-skinned apparition appears before her, causing the Cyrenia to scowl furiously. "Grrr, wha…what are you…doing…?! You're not…supposed to show…up…without…my…argh!" then, the apparition disappears, before Lyrical is shown a vision, depicting a group of humans and aliens gathered in a lounge, which sends an electric jolt through her body. "GUAAH!"
"Lyrical!" Exa grabs his Vice-Commander's shoulders as the Cyrenian begins to cackle. "Snap out of it!"
"Ha…hah-hah…KYA-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH!" Numbuh Lyrical laughs and slowly stands up using her staff as a manic grin appears on her face.
"You saw something, didn't you?"
"Heh-heh-heh…yes…I did…now I know how to…track the other half…"
"What do you mean?" Exa asks Lyrical, who displays her small, sharp teeth through her grin and grasps the ornamental end of her staff.
"Until now…I've only seen glimpses…but…that human…she can't control the Nebula Crystal…and it's calling out to my half. Now, her connection is so weak, I can track her movements."
"Then do you know where they are?"
"In the debris field…hiding inside an abandoned KND space station." Lyrical replies confidently while eyeing her half of the Nebula Crystal, which is rapidly changing color from purple to pink.
"Right. We'll call a Command Staff meeting right now. I'll contact the bridge and…hmm?" but Exa is interrupted by the sound of his communicator, prompting him to tap the left side of his mask. "Numbuh Exa here."
"This is Numbuh Infinity. 74.239 and I want to talk about the latest intelligence reports. According to them, Sector V and the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers are hiding in the debris field."
"Perfect timing. I was going to call a Command Staff meeting right before you called me. We'll meet on the bridge in 5 cycles."
"Oh, uhm, very well. We will be there."
Exa then hangs up and turns his gaze on the slightly exhausted Lyrical. "If the reports match your vision, I'm sending you out there to find them. Can you do that?"
"Heh-heh, yeah, of course. I'll catch that human, I swear on it." a wildly grinning Lyrical replies, but Exa puts his hand on her left shoulder.
"Control yourself. That human isn't the only target out there, remember that." he says to Lyrical, glaring coldly through his green-lensed mask.
"Ri…right, I know…*exhale*. They'll all be captured." the dark-purple skinned Cyrenian replies and pulls back her short hair, regaining her composure.
"Good. I swore to the Supreme Leader we wouldn't fail. Keep that in mind." Then, following a short nod, Numbuh Lyrical walks with her superior to a nearby elevator, both motivated by what they learned from the meeting.
…
Deep in the chaotic debris field, Sector V and their alien allies have spent the week repairing the crippled M.O.S.Q.U.I.T.T.O.H.-W.A.S.P. and now, their hard work has finally paid off, as the venerable ship has been restored its former glory, along with some new upgrades, such an armored shield mounted to the rear of the hull under the vertical stabilizer, protecting the Hyper-Acceleration Booster as well as wing-mounted T.A.G.G. missile launchers and other equipment salvaged from the wrecks surrounding the O.B.S.E.R.S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
With the ship repairs complete, Nigel has called everyone to the station's lounge for a meeting. "Looks like everybody's here. Then let's discuss our next move. Like we agreed, we're going to head back to Earth. It is possible, right?" Nigel asks the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers, who, excluding Virgo, look at each other before Libra nods back.
"It is, but very risky. The P.L.A.N.E.T.B.L.I.T.E.R.A.T.O.R.'s barrier can be breached, but once inside, escape is impossible."
"Well, escapin' ain't part of our plan. We're gonna figure out how we'll take down that freaky Treehouse when we meet up with the others." Abby remarks, sitting on the armrest of a sofa.
"We need find our families too! It's been a week already…" a cautious Kuki says, and her behavior makes her teammates exchange looks with each other.
"Of course. But contacting our allies is our first priority, Numbuh 3. Because, like you said, it's been a week, so we don't know what's happening down on the surface."
"And then we'll go kick the GKND's butt, right?" Wally asks Nigel while cracking his knuckles with determination, prompting him to nod back.
"Absolutely." then, Numbuh Vine lifts one of her tentacles up and gestures to the others.
"Guys, don't forget who we're dealing with here. The GSF isn't a normal GKND Sector, you saw it with your own eyes. You can't go half-assed into this fight." her comment earns a slight glare from Nigel, but Abby, much to his surprise, agrees with Vine.
"Yer right about that. They kicked our butts earlier and we only got away thanks to that thing Numbuh 1 and Libra did. We can't let that happen again." she says, folding her arms.
"Then may I suggest we try to sneak to Earth instead? Or at least get as close as possible before they detect our approach?"
"Cygnus' suggestion is logical. The later the GSF notice us, the better our chances of safe atmospheric re-entry. However, we were unable to repair the ship's stealth cloak, so it will hamper us." Scorpius gestures towards Cygnus as Nigel stands up from his chair.
"Then we should start preparing for departure. Numbuh 2, Agent Vigilante, get the W.A.S.P. ready for launch. Numbuh 4, Numbuh 9L, Numbuh 5, carry all the supplies you can into the ship. Numbuh 3, help out with the…Numbuh 3?" but as Nigel glances at Kuki, he and the others realize she is staring blankly into space, her eyes flashing pink.
"Kuki?!" Wally immediately comes to her side and so does Abby, who grabs Kuki's shoulders.
"Hey, what's wrong with ya?! Kuki?" she tries to snap Kuki out of her trance, but she cannot hear or see her friend's calls. Instead, her vision has blurred, and her ears are filled with a faint cackle.
"…who's…there…" then, the pink skinned apparition she saw after healing Hoagie's leg shows up again and like before, it is trying to say something to her, but Kuki cannot make out any words. Suddenly, the apparition begins to writhe, as if in pain, before transforming into a dark purple skinned person, who is much more visible, it's orange eyes alarming Kuki. "Who…are you?!"
"I've finally found you. The Nebula Crystal is mine!" the person declares before disappearing, causing Kuki to regain her senses.
"…ki?! Kuki! Can ya hear me?!" slowly, Kuki recognizes Abby's voice and shakes her head.
"…huh? Eh, what happened?" utterly confused, Kuki looks at her friends, who all breathe a unified sigh of relief.
"Girl, don't scare us like that. Why'd ya space out all of a sudden?"
"Uh…sorry…I guess I'm just a little tired." Kuki replies but her friends are not convinced, especially since her medallion had flashed dark purple during the time she was out of it.
"What have I told you about proper rest, Numbuh 3? We can't take on the GKND without-ARGH!" Nigel is interrupted by violent shaking, causing him to fall to the floor, while Wally manages to grab Kuki before she does so as well.
"What's happening?!" Hoagie shouts, holding onto the backrest of his lounge chair but their alien comrades know exactly where the shaking is coming from.
"It's the GSF! They've found us!" Cygnus waves her wings rapidly as Nigel runs over to a nearby computer terminal as alarms go off.
"I guess it was only a matter of time-OOF! Dammit, they took us by surprise!" he shouts as he shows camera footage through a large screen on the lounge's wall, displaying a large, fork-shaped alien ship approaching the debris field, escorted by multiple GKND fighters.
"They've brought a T.R.I.N.A.U.G.H.T. Numbuh Exa is not playing around. Numbuh 1, we suggest an immediate evacuation. That ship has enough firepower to demolish this station in mere cycles." Libra tells Nigel, who nods in agreement.
"Obviously! Numbuh 2, Agent Vigilante, get going already!"
"On it! Let's go Tommy!" Hoagie nudges his brother, who puffs his chest before running after Hoagie.
"That's THE Tommy!" As the brothers leave the lounge, Abby pulls Wally off the floor and points at the lounge exit.
"Come on Numbuh 4, we gotta move those supplies into the ship!"
"Right!" Wally replies and the duo exit the lounge as well, prompting 9L to wrap her tail around Leo and run after them.
"Mrrraau!"
"Guah! Hey, leggo of me!"
"Meow!"
"Grrrrr, I would've helped anyway!" Leo shakes his fist at 9L as she carries the irate O.M.E.G.A. Number away.
"Scorpius, let us go help as well. They'll need the extra hands."
"Affirmative." then, Cygnus and Scorpius leave as well, while Nigel turns to face Kuki.
"Numbuh 3, go to the medical bay and take as much supplies as you can carry to the W.A.S.P. Can you do that?"
"Ye…Yeah! Leave it to me!" Kuki replies firmly as Bradley jumps on her shoulder and gestures at Nigel.
"Excellent idea, Numbuh 6. Go with her!"
"But what about you?" Kuki asks as Nigel turns his back on her.
"I'm going to the control center to turn on the defenses. We need to buy more time. I'll join you guys on the ship in a moment."
"O…okay! Come on Bradley!" but as Kuki and Bradley run out of the lounge, the skunk squints at Virgo over his shoulder, much to her annoyance.
"Ghhh, everything's happening too fast. And that creature got in the way." she then hides her frustration and floats down next to Libra. "I'll go help…Numbuh 3 with medical supplies."
"Understood. We will assist Numbuh 1 with the station defense." Libra replies before Virgo speeds away, causing Numbuh Vine to wrap her tentacles around Nigel's back.
"Hey, what are you…?!"
"Move it! I'm coming to help you too!"
"Libra and I can handle this, you should go help Numbuh 5 and the others with the…"
"I SAID GO!" Vine roars into Nigel's ear, reminding him of her human façade.
"Gah, stop yelling! Fine, you can come too. Libra, follow me!"
Meanwhile, standing on the bridge of the approaching, black and sky blue T.R.I.N.A.U.G.H.T., is Numbuh Lyrical, and accompanying her is an oddly serious Numbuh Aerook. "That was the first time I've ever seen you go on all fours and beg the Commander to let you join a mission. What's with you all of a sudden?" she asks the Orninyxian, who stares intensely at the bridge's main screen, which is showing zoomed-in footage of the O.B.S.E.R.S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
"I've got a bone to pick with that ship, that's all." he replies, but Lyrical can tell Aerook is not telling the whole truth to her.
"Don't give me such a vague answer. You're just trying to boost your reputation, like usual." but then, to Numbuh Lyrical's surprise, Aerook glares back at with an immensely intense expression, something he has not shown to her ever.
"…Check my memories and you'll understand." he replies coldly, his orange eyes staring menacingly at the Cyrenian, who rolls her eyes.
"Hmph, fine, if you wanna make this complicated." she sighs and sends a purple ray from her staff into the unflinching Numbuh Aerook's head, allowing her to see his memories. "*gaps* You!" she exclaims upon seeing a vision of Aerook learning about the O.M.E.G.A. Number's identities. "How did you…?!" Lyrical hisses at the Orninyxian, who turns his gaze back towards the screen.
"You can report about this to Numbuh Exa later, but I have to do this. I need to…see her again." Aerook clenches his three fingered fists furiously, prompting Lyrical to shake her head.
"That means you'll be taking down Geo-4 and Dirus with you." she replies and also looks at the screen, right hand gripping her staff. "…Keep your beak shut about everything, got it?"
"I will." Aerook says and takes a step forward. "Commence attack! V.I.D.A.R.T. squadron, flank them!" On Aerook's order, the T.R.I.N.A.U.G.H.T.'s laser turrets open fire on the debris field while the fighters split in two and attack the field from both sides.
Almost immediately, the O.B.S.E.R.S.T.A.T.I.O.N.'s barrier goes online while its own defensive turrets return fire. Inside, with the help of 9L and the O.M.E.G.A. Numbers, Wally and Abby manage to fill the W.A.S.P.'s cargo hold with all of the spare supplies. "Okay, get in the ship! We ain't got time to waste here!" Abby yells from the top of the cargo ramp, but Wally refuses to board the W.A.S.P.
"I'm gonna wait for the others!" he says and anxiously stands at the bottom of the cargo ramp while the others board the ship. Up on the bridge, Hoagie and Tommy are busy prepping the W.A.S.P. for departure.
"Oxygen systems, check. Weapons systems, check. Transformation system, online. Fuel pump, check. Sodarium Reactor, stable. Hoagie, all systems are go!"
"Alright. Buckle up. We're gonna take off as soon as everybody's onboard." Hoagie replies to Tommy and grips the W.A.S.P.'s controls firmly just as Abby comes to the bridge, accompanied by Scorpius, Cygnus and Leo.
"Everythin' ready?"
"You bet. We're ready to rock."
Down in the hangar, Wally keeps watch as the station continues to shake. "Come on, where the crud are you…?!" gritting his teeth, Wally looks for any signs of movement from the four entrances but sees nothing. Then, another powerful explosion strikes the station, causing Wally to nearly fall on his face. "Gah, this place ain't gonna hold…"
Then, from the corner of his eye, he notices movement from the left-most entrance. "Hmm?! Numbuh 1!" he exclaims as Nigel, Libra and Numbuh Vine arrive in good order.
"Is everyone aboard?!" Nigel asks Wally, who shakes his head.
"Numbuh 3, Numbuh 6 and that green O.M.E.G.A.-whatever's still missing."
"Dammit…Go inside, Numbuh 4, I'll go see if…"
"No! If anyone's find Numbuh 3 it's me!" Wally interrupts Nigel and runs past him before he can finish.
"Numbuh 4!" but then, an orange and turquoise flash flies after Wally and Libra realizes it is Leo.
"Leo, where are you going?!" but the former Pantherian ignores Libra's calls and follows Wally into the hallway. "This is not good."
"We're not leaving them behind. Vine, Libra, you two go ahead. I'll wait for them." Nigel replies calmly, but both aliens refuse.
"Oh no, I'm staying right here." Vine snaps at Nigel and remains by his side while Libra turns on their long-range sensors.
"Perhaps they are held up by something…Numbuh 1, that explosion a few cycles ago has overpowered the barrier and damaged the station's hull. Two sections near the medical bay have been depressurized."
"WHAT?!"
Unaware of the damage, Wally runs through the station's hallways with Leo in tow. "Why the crud are ya following me?! I can do this by myself!" he shouts at the O.M.E.G.A. Number, who stays silent. For the past week, he had been perplexed by how determined Wally had been to save Hoagie, having also learned that like Hoagie, he also has a younger sibling. This has made the normally crude and blunt Leo withdrawn and silent and he does not understand why.
"…is he like I was?" he has repeatedly asked himself and now, the O.M.E.G.A. Number seizes his chance to speak with Wally. "Hey, did you ever fight with your brother?"
"Wha…why are ya asking me that now?! This isn't the time for crud like that! We gotta find Numbuh 3 and the others!" Wally yells over his shoulder before the hallway's lights go dark and he immediately runs straight into an airtight, armored door. "GAH! Ow…stupid…door!"
"Hah-hah-hah!"
"Shut up, Fang-Face! Grrr, why's this thing closed?!" but then, Wally receives a call from his E.Y.E.-W.A.T.C.H.
"Numbuh 4! There's a hull breach near the medical bay!, so go around it! Numbuh 3 isn't answering our calls, find her, quickly! The GKND are already swarming around the station!" Nigel tells him, prompting Wally to punch the door in frustration.
"Argh! Okay, but I don't remember the layout!"
"Libra says Leo has the navigation systems necessary to guide you through the blacked-out hallways. Get moving, now!"
"Right!" Wally hangs up and turns to face Leo. "Oi, Numbuh 1 said ya can guide me. So lead the way!"
"Grrrr… you didn't answer my question!" his reply infuriates Wally, who grab the O.M.E.G.A. Number by his snout and pull him closer.
"Quit being a brat! We're not leaving those guys behind on this station!" he stares intensely at Leo, who quickly frees himself.
"Urgh, keep yer hands off me! Fine, this way!" he snarls and illuminates the hallway with his eyes before flying ahead, with Wally right behind him.
On the other side of the breached section, Kuki, who had been knocked down by the blast, quickly gets back up and notices the closed door ahead. "Wha…what happened?! Why'd the lights go out?"
"I'm guessing there's a hole somewhere ahead." Virgo mutters and coldly points at a small corridor to her right. "There's a path to the hangar through there." however, Kuki gives the O.M.E.G.A. Number a cold glare and tries to call her friends with her E.Y.E.-W.A.T.C.H. but to no avail. "Hey, you do realize they're gonna leave us behind if we stay and do nothing."
"They won't leave. I know it." Kuki hisses at Virgo before Bradley, holding a metal box full of medical supplies points at another corridor, to their left. "Eh? You know the way to the others?" she asks the skunk, who nods and starts running ahead, prompting Kuki to follow, completely ignoring Virgo.
"Well, aren't you being a team player. That creature…does it know something?" Virgo thinks and silently follows Kuki, using her own navigation system to scan the corridors, before noticing Wally and Leo approaching them. "The little critter is smarter than it looks…"
Unaware that Bradley is leading Kuki their way, Leo and Wally continue to search for them in the dark hallways, but Leo is still nagging Wally about his question. "Stop avoiding me! I need an answer!"
"Can it wait?!"
"No! It can't! You've got a brother, right? Did you fight with him or not?!"
"Of course we've cruddy fought! That's what siblings do!" Wally shouts, silencing Leo just a small red-light shines on them from ahead. "Huh?! Numbuh 3?!"
"Hello?! Numbuh 4!" out the darkness, first Bradley and then Kuki appear, prompting Wally to run up to her.
"Oh man, ya had me worried there! You're not hurt, are ya?"
"No, I'm fine…thanks…" then, Virgo also joins them, and she immediately shoots a disappointed glare at Leo.
"Hmph, didn't think you would come looking for me. I'm suprised you didn't get lost." she scoffs, but to her surprise, Leo simply huffs back and turns around.
"You found her, let's go back before the GKND blast this place into pieces." he mutters and leaves, prompting Wally to grab Kuki's hand and run back to the hangar. In no time, the group returns to the hangar, much Nigel's relief.
"Good job, Numbuh 4! Now hurry up!" then, everybody finally boards the W.A.S.P. and Sector V take their positions on the bridge. "Numbuh 2, take us out." Nigel tells Hoagie just as a laser punches a hole into the hangar bulkhead.
"Aye, aye, Captain! Time to fly!" Hoagie replies and the M.O.S.Q.U.I.T.T.O.H.-W.A.S.P. slowly straightens its legs before the hangar's airlock opens, allowing Hoagie to fly out. Then, as the ship flies into the debris field, Nigel reveals his E.Y.E.-W.A.T.C.H. and presses its screen with a slight smirk on his face.
"Let's give them a little shock." he says to his shocked teammates as the O.B.S.E.R.S.T.A.T.I.O.N. detonates, blasting rubble everywhere.
"Whoah! What did you do, Numbuh 1?!" Hoagie shouts as the shockwave shakes the W.A.S.P.
"We rigged the station's reactor to overload. Now the GKND will have a harder time finding us in all this debris." Nigel says confidently.
"That part of you hasn't changed at all." Vine thinks to herself and moves over to Abby's station. "Numbuh 5, here's the route Libra and I plotted for us." she hands Abby a disc, which she immediately inserts into her console, causing a red navigation line to appear on Hoagie's HUD.
"Numbuh 2, follow that line and don't stray from it, got it?" she says to Hoagie, who gives her a thumbs up.
"Leave it to us. Tommy, you handle Vernier control. I'll steer."
"Okay!"
But as the W.A.S.P. tries to sneak way, the T.R.I.N.A.U.G.H.T.'s sensors are overwhelmed by the amount of new debris filling the area, much to Numbuh Aerook's frustration. "Gah, they think they're clever! V.I.D.A.R.T. squadron, regroup and surround the field. We'll smoke that ship out!" Aerook yells over the radio while Numbuh Lyrical looks on calmly
"They blew up the station to hide their position. Not bad for a bunch of teenagers. But, they won't escape." then, she lifts her staff up, causing the Nebula Crystal to glow brightly. "Seek her out!" Almost instantly, Lyrical receives a brief vision from Kuki's point of view and it all she needs. "Numbuh Aerook, they're on the debris field's planet-side, trying to escape."
"Hmph, they better be! Change course! Order the squadron to head for the right side of the field!"
Aboard the W.A.S.P., Kuki is once again struck by the same phenomenon as before, causing her to see the blurry dark-purple skinned figure yet again. "You can't get away! I know where you are!"
"Huh?!" Kuki twitches, but none of her teammates notice what happened to her, Virgo has, and she realizes what it means.
"Dammit, Numbuh Lyrical is aboard that ship! Now there's no way to escape…" but before she can make any moves, Hoagie puts the W.A.S.P. into a horizontal spin, throwing the ex-Cyrenian against the bridge's back wall, knocking her out cold.
"Virgo!" Cygnus shouts and goes to tend for her as the ship is attacked by the GKND fighters.
"How the heck did they find us already?!" a frustrated Abby exclaims as Hoagie and Tommy work together to evade the incoming lasers.
"Drat, they figured us out…Numbuh 2, can you use the booster?"
"Not in this debris! Unless you wanna get blown to pieces!" Hoagie responds, hanging to the controls for dear life. "Numbuh 4, get the guns online and blast those fighters!"
"Okay! I'll give 'em a taste of teen hospitality!" Wally grabs the twin joysticks on his arcade cabinet-console and activates the W.A.S.P.'s arm-mounted R.O.T.O.G.U.N.'s and the S.O.O.P.E.R.-S.C.A.M.P.P. laser canon before opening fire on the attacking V.I.D.A.R.T.'s but the fighters are far to agile for his aim, and most of his shots hit the surrounding debris instead. "Argh crud, there's stuff in the way!"
Then, realizing the GKND will catch them at this rate, Libra has an idea and speaks to Nigel through telepathy. "Numbuh 1, as it stands, we won't clear the debris field before the GSF's ships surround us." hearing the O.M.E.G.A. Number's voice inside his head makes Nigel slightly uncomfortable but he keeps his cool.
"I know that. But the only thing we can do is run."
"We are aware. However, there is one way we can escape the GSF's pursuit forces. We attack them head on and use Overlay." Libra's suggestion makes Nigel twitch and he shakes his head.
"It's too risky. We'd only have a limited time to use it and I'll be worn out after that. In the worst case, we'll end up stranded in space or even captured!"
"Right now, risks are worth taking. We believe our combined power is enough to clear the debris and drive away their fighters at the same time." Libra looks Nigel in the eye with determination shining through their own green eyes while he folds his arms and looks around the bridge.
"…Okay, let's give it a try." then, he stands up and gestures to Abby. "Numbuh 5, take command."
"Huh? What the heck are ya talkin' about?!"
"Libra and I are going to try something, so I need to you handle the bridge till we return. Numbuh 4, you're coming too!"
"Me? Okay, got it!" Wally replies and leaves his station before Nigel addresses Hoagie.
"Numbuh 2, when I give the signal, open vertical airlock!" then, before his teammates can say anything, Nigel runs out of the bridge with Wally, while Libra points at their fellow O.M.E.G.A. Numbers.
"Leo, come with us. Cygnus, take care of Virgo. Scorpius, assist in bridge operations."
"Huh? Okay! I'm with ya!" Leo hits his fists together and follows Libra out, while Cygnus stays by Virgo's side. Then, Abby throws her arms in the air and stands up.
"Oh you gotta be kiddin' me…Hey, Scorpo!"
"My designation is Scorpius."
"Yeah, yeah, take Numbuh 5's place, will ya?"
"Affirmative. Assuming navigational duties." Scorpius replies as Abby jumps over to Nigel's seat and grips it's armrests.
"Numbuh Vine, you handle the guns!"
"On it!"
"Alright gang, let's get through this!"
"Yeah!" Abby's friends reply together but as the ship is attacked from all sides, Abby steels her nerve and looks over her shoulder towards the door Nigel ran out of. "Ya better know what yer doin', Numbuh 1…"
Nigel meanwhile has gone to the small, vertical airlock with Wally, Leo and Libra. "So what's the plan, Numbuh 1?" Wally asks as Nigel throws him a space suit.
"The ship can't fight all those fighters by itself, so we need to bring the fight to our enemy. Numbuh 4, go down to the lower airlock and take the S.K.I.D.D.O.O.D. Cover the ship with it. Leo, you're going with him."
"…Hmph, sure…" Leo mutters as an equally displeased Wally start putting on his space suit and so does Nigel.
"And what are you gonna do then?"
"Libra and I will use Overlay and clear the path for us. Because of our time limit, we won't be able to use it for long, so once time runs out, retreat back to the ship, okay? No matter what happens." Nigel replies and looks Wally in the eye, prompting him to nod back firmly.
"You can count on me."
"Good. Go on ahead and contact the bridge when you're ready. And don't stray apart from each other. Remember, the GKND want to capture us."
"And you better come back too!" Wally knocks Nigel on the shoulder before heading to the lower decks with Leo.
"We will." Nigel says silently and steps on an elevated platform located below a round door in the ceiling. Then, he takes a deep breath and puts on his helmet. "Okay Libra, let's do this."
"Leave support to us. We must be swift but effective." the O.M.E.G.A. Number says before joining Nigel on the platform.
"Right. Here goes nothing." Nigel replies to Libra before contacting the bridge. "Numbuh 2, open the airlock." Then, the door above opens, revealing a second door above as the platform Nigel stands on rises up, taking both human and O.M.E.G.A. Number into the airlock. As the lower door closes behind them, the upper door slides away, revealing the ominous void of space behind it. Nigel presses a button on his left wrist console and the soles of hits boots magnetize, allowing him to stand on top of the ship without flying away. "Are you ready Libra?"
"Ready for combat. All systems are go." Libra nods as Nigel points his left arm up high, causing a very feint, red light to shine through his space suit's wrist.
"Overlay!" in an instant, he and Libra are covered by a red energy sphere, it bright shine illuminating the ship and it is even noticed by Numbuh Aerook and Numbuh Lyrical from the bridge of their T.R.I.N.A.U.G.H.T.
"What's that weird light?! Some kinda new weapon?!"
"No…it's…"
Then, the sphere shatters and out of it steps out Nigel in his Overlay form, his face covered by a bronze facemask, allowing him to breathe in space. Eyeing his transformed body for a split second, he then clenches his fists, causing his shoulder turbines spin rapidly and emit red particles. "Overlay process complete. Time limit is 10 cycles."
"I'll leave the count to you. Time to give these new powers a try." Nigel replies and points his hands upwards, gathering the red particles between his palms before unleashing a white heat ray directly head of the W.A.S.P., vaporizing the debris blocking the ship's path. "Numbuh 1 here, we've cleared the way!"
"Right on boss!" Hoagie rejoices over the radio just as Wally and Leo fly out of the cargo airlock.
"Numbuh 1, we're headin' out!" Wally waves to Nigel before revving his S.K.I.D.D.O.O.D.'s engines and blasting off to meet the startled V.I.D.A.R.T.'s. "Fang-Face, don't fall behind!"
"Graah! That little rust bucket isn't gonna keep up with me, Mop-Head!" Leo shakes his fist before accelerating past Wally and flying through the lead V.I.D.A.R.T.'s engines, knocking it out of the fight.
"Not bad, but I ain't gonna be second this time!" Wally remarks and uses the S.K.I.D.D.O.O.D.'s upgraded nose-mounted laser cannon to blow a hole into another V.I.D.A.R.T.'s wing before four other fighters head towards the W.A.S.P. "Numbuh 1, you've got company!"
"On it!" Nigel sees the V.I.D.A.R.T.'s approaching and generates multiple icicles from his left palm before flinging them at the two closest ships, skewering their nosecones and forcing the pilots to warp out of their cockpits before they explode. But then, the remaining two V.I.D.A.R.T.'s are peppered by the W.A.S.P. right-side R.O.T.O.G.U.N., much to Nigel's surprise.
"Hey, stop daydreaming up there!" Numbuh Vine's angry voice rings in Nigel's head, causing him to smirk slightly.
"Just make sure you don't shoot me or Numbuh 4 by accident." he remarks and fires a thin, white heat ray from the nozzle on his right-hand gauntlet towards incoming debris, cutting through them easily.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Vine shouts but Nigel ignores her and looks ahead, towards Earth just as the sun slowly appears behind it, illuminating the crimson-hued planet.
"We'll get through this and go home. No matter what. Mom, dad, you guys are okay down there, right?"
End of Transmission 43
Afterword: By far one of the longest chapters I've ever written, mainly because the TND part at the very beginning was supposed to be in Chapter 42 but I chose to put it here instead.
I want to address the O.M.E.G.A. Number's identities a bit here. I realizes while writing this chapter that I had made the GSF's members aware they were GKND operatives originally, which goes against this chapter's main plot point, Aerook learning their identies by accident. As such, I've edited some previous chapters to remove any mention of the GSF knowing the O.M.E.G.A. Number's former operative statuses. If I have missed any, I will fix the error.
Hopefully I can release two chapters in October as well, depending on how life treats me. Also, I have decided to stop posting my concept art and posters to tumblr indefinitely, for the sake of my mental health. So to those who found this fic through the said website and wish to see my art regardless, they are available in DA.