Five thousand soldiers were drafted into Battalion D. Each was even given a number; none were given names. All were trained since the day they could walk. Lasers, hoverboards, and med packs that supplied them with air, water, and a meal pill a day. They mastered these things through their lifelong training. They all looked almost identical. But they weren't clones, just genetically modified to be identical. One by one, as the eternal war that is the future raged, they died defending the territory of their glorious leader, Time Baby. Only soldier 1104 remained; he just had his leg replaced with a robotic one. He was standing in front of his general, hardened from the weeklong battle.

General D said, "As the last survivor of defense plan Blast and Outlast phases D, you have been reassigned to Scout out the Slime ridden universe of the NickToons. Your mission is to assess if planet Classichupo is a threat to our future invasion. Now, let me make one thing straight, you dark-skinned dolt! You are not to interact with anyone on that planet unless absolutely necessary. Your mission is to go in, take pictures, and leave.

Most importantly, you are permitted not to take off your Health Pack or uniform at any time while you are there. Because there's a high risk the Nickelodeon slime will swallow you whole, and if it does, you will die. Is that clear, solider?"

1104 said with a salute, "Sir, yes, sir!"

General D said, "Now grab your board and move out."

1104 jumped onto his hoverboard and flew into a portal with his little camera. He tried his best to sneak around, snapping photos of any technology he saw. He was taking pictures of some kids on their choice of mobility when suddenly, his hoverboard started beeping insistently at him. He got off the device and attached it to his Health Pack. That way, it can charge. However, as he held the pack against the board, which was held up against the walls, he took off his breathing device. To reroute as much power as possible. That's when he breathed in real air for the first time. It was a coastal town so that he could smell the sea. A sigh left his lips as he leaned back. He then smelt something tasty and warm carried by the breeze. He allowed the board to finish charging before he hopped back on and followed the smell. He was in the alleyway by a place called the Shore Shack. That smell was its burgers. He took a quick picture before he slipped his breathing device back on and did his best to hover away inconspicuously.

Then he heard hard rubber tires scrape across the pavement right behind him. He didn't look; he knew he was being followed. He picked up speed and started swerving around more and more risky turns down streets that he could gather most locals didn't bother with. After a while, he was dumbfounded as to how he hadn't lost the sound of tires on the pavement following him yet, so he turned to behind him, still at top speed, and saw, to his shock, that there was a whole group of teenagers right on his tail each on a different wheeled machine. The same group of kids he had taken a photo of earlier. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't watching where he was going and crashed right into the side of a building. He was knocked unconscious.

1104 arose from his sleep in a hospital bed. His health pack, with the board still attached, and clothes carefully folded on a chair nearby. The smell of hospital disinfectant filled the air. He noticed the IV drip and the pulse reader. His pulse was steady, but the IV drip looked almost empty even as it slowly injected its medicine into his body. He also noticed the cast on his right arm.

A woman doctor came in and said, "Well, good morning, Lloyd! How are you feeling?"

1104 was confused and asked, "Are you talking to me?"

"Your shirt had your name on it," the Doctor explained. It's Lloyd, right?"

1104 thought about it and said, "Well, no. But I understand the confusion. My name is 1104, and I am from Battalion D. That's why my name tag looks like that. You see, doc, I'm a soldier from the future. I was given a number for a name."

The doctor said, writing something down, "Duly noted. Well, my name is Dr. Rodriguez. My children brought you in."

1104 made a mental note of that.

Dr. Rodriguez stopped writing to ask, "As far as you know, do you or anyone in your family have a history of Cancer, Diabetes, or Mental Illness?"

1104 replied, "Nope, me and my squad are genetically perfect."

Dr. Rodriguez looked perturbed but wrote something down and then stopped to ask, "How often do you smoke or drink alcohol?"

1104 replied, "I'm not allowed to touch the stuff, ma'am. That is for general's personal use alone."

Dr. Rodriguez wrote something down and then stopped to ask, "Finally since you woke up, have you experienced any headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, or light-headedness?

1104 said, "No, ma'am."

Dr. Rodriguez wrote something down and said, "Okay."

She stopped, looked at the IV, and chuckled, "Someone was thirsty. I'll get that replaced here shortly. And just so we're giving you the best care, do you have any food-related allergies?"

1104 thought for a moment and replied, "I'm not entirely sure, actually."

She wrote something down and asked, "Would you like to get an allergy panel while you're here just to be on the safe side?"

1104 replied, "That won't be necessary, Ma'am."

Dr. Rodriguez nodded and then said, "Well, I think that about covers it. Your prosthetic leg will be repaired shortly, but your arm will take at least six weeks."

1104 asked, surprised, "You're giving me cell replication therapy?"

Dr. Rodriguez had to think about that, then retorted, "Does your body not heal on its own, Eleven O' Four?"

"It's actually pronounced one thousand, one hundred and four," 1104 corrected and then asked, "And the human body can heal on its own?"

Dr. Rodriguez smiled and replied, "Of course it can! Cells regenerate all the time! But only in small amounts and, as you can glean, over a long time."

1104 said, "Ah, I see."

Dr. Rodriguez said, "I'll check in on you later. A nurse will soon come in to replace your IV."

She then dismissed herself, and sure enough, five minutes later, a nurse came in to replace his IV bag. 1104 was still thinking over everything that had happened, and a realization washed over him. At the time of the crash, he was holding his camera, and while his bag, board, and clothes were accounted for, his camera was nowhere to be seen. He was worried: Did the crash destroy it? Did those kids steal it? So many questions buzzed in his mind that he hadn't noticed that the Nurse had left, and when he turned to try to get information, he was already gone.

1104 sighed, "This is going to be a long six weeks."

There was a window in his room, and he could see the sky grow dark. And 1104 was now even more worried. He knew that his mission had been compromised, and what was worse was that the Time Police would probably attack as soon as possible if he weren't at the portal when it opened. Dr. Rodriguez came into his room, now flanked by a man dressed in a back suit. He looked like one of Battalion D!

Dr. Rodriguez scolded, "Really, Walter, is this necessary?"

Walter said, "If what your report says is true, then this man has been displaced by about 5 Minnella. Also, your kids and their Rocket Power team took down a giant Toybot of Doom, so I have every right to take something like this seriously."

1104 saluted with his left arm, "Sir, Solider 1104 wounded but not mortally! I would stand, but I'm missing my issued augmentation, Sir!"

Walter returned the salute and said, "At ease, soldier."

1104 put his hand down.

Walter asked, "What can you tell me about the device that was on your back?"

1104 replied, "Sir, that's my standard issue Health Pack! Sir!"

Walter pressed, "Care to elaborate?"

1104 said, "Sir, it gives me air, water, and one meal a pill a day, Sir!"

Dr. Rodriguez noted, "That would explain why you were so dehydrated."

Walter opened the Health Pack and took out the camera, sighing 1104 in relief. However, he quickly regained his professional composure.

Walter noticed the reaction and asked, "Are you a fan of photography, or are you here to document something critical for the future?"

Dr. Rodriguez sighed, "Really, Walter? You jump to that?"

1104 replied, "No, no, Walter's got a point. Sir, the Time Police sent me to the past to document any weapons we might be able to use for future combat."

Walter said, "This is troubling news. I'll speak to my supervisor right away. For now, you are not permitted to leave the city, understand?"

1104 saluted, "Sir, with all due respect, I cannot comply as I'm on strict orders by my General to return to my own time once the month is out. The time portal is scheduled for that time alone and will not open until they follow through with their plan. Sir."

Walter said, "Fair enough."

Then, he dismissed himself from the room. 1104 was a bit disturbed, but his attention turned to Dr. Rodriguez, who eyed his Medic Pack with suspicion.

Dr. Rodriguez asked, "What does this thing do exactly?"

1104 replied, "It lets me breathe and keeps me hydrated."

Dr. Rodriguez pressed, "Is the air toxic in the future?"

1104 replied, "Yes, it's because of the constant war we fight in the future. There isn't time to preserve the earth's habitability when we can't even preserve our survival against those who use their time carelessly."

Dr. Rodriguez's eyebrows raised, and she said, "Oh my, I'm so sorry you had to endure that."

1104 then asked, "How much longer will it take for my leg to be fixed?"

"It's actually done now," Dr. Rodriguez replied, "I'll snag it for you."

SpongeBob came into the United headquarters with a box, practically bursting at the seams with excitement.

Danny asked, "What do you have there, Sponge-Buddy?"

SpongeBob answered, "I found a bunch of tiny cats!"

A little orange tabby poked its head out from the box.

"Oh my gosh," Danny squealed, peeking into the box and seeing the three other kittens: a little black one, a little white one, and a little calico.

SpongeBob asked, "Aren't they the cutest?"

Danny asked, "Where did you find these?"

SpongeBob answered, "They were in a bag floating down the river."

Danny was shocked, "They were WHAT?!"

SpongeBob chirped, "Yeah! I was in the river exploring the bottom for treasure, and the next thing I knew, there was a burlap sack floating by, so I took it to dry land and opened it to find these little guys!"

Danny squeaked, "Where are they, okay?"

SpongeBob said, "Well, yes, after I got the water out from their little lungs. Silly kitties can't breathe underwater."

He gently patted the orange tabbies' heads as he playfully scolded them.

Danny asked, "So, what are you going to do with them now?"

SpongeBob said, setting the box down, "First, I'll name them, and then I was hoping to help them find a home. I brought them here first because, well, I don't know how to take care of them."

SpongeBob pulled out the Orange tabby, "I'll call you Sherbet!"

He pulled out the black one, "And You'll be Cocoa!"

He pulled out the Calico, "And you'll be Rocky Road!"

He pulled out the white one, "And you'll be Vanilla!"

Danny noted with a chuckle, "Those are all ice cream flavors!"

SpongeBob chirped, "Well, yeah, because they're my little Sweeties!"

Danny gushed, "Aww."

Timmy came into Headquarters, took one look at what SpongeBob was holding, and was taken aback.

Danny said, "Meet SpongeBob's Sweeties!"

Wanda and Cosmo dropped her disguise into her humanoid form to gush over the kittens.

Wanda gleefully, "Aww, precious little angels."

Cosmo gently rubbed Rocky's chin, "Cushy cushy coo!"

SpongeBob gently set the box down and chirped, "I'm going to help these babies learn how to take care of themselves so we can find them good homes."

Some time passed, and SpongeBob was treating his adorable Kittens like a pro.

1104 came out of his room, his health pack on his back. Dr. Rodriguez said, "Before I let you go, I have to ask why you have been refusing meals if you're not allergic to anything?"

1104 replied, "My Health Pack provides me with a Meal pill every day to nourish my body."

Dr. Rodriguez looked skeptical. "I find that hard to believe a single pill can contain not only 2000 calories but also all the nutrients your body needs. Especially now that you have a broken bone."

1104 said, "That's just how it works in the future."

The pack beeped, And 1104 plucked out the tiny Pill. "Speaking of which."

Dr. Rodriguez said, "Wait."

1104 froze.

"Let me run a few tests on it," Dr. Rodriguez said. It's the least you can do after I helped you sort out your crash."

1104 said, "Ah, Alright."

He gave her the Meal Pill. She put it in a tiny ziplock bag.

Dr. Rodriguez then gave him a few dollars and said, "In the meantime, here's some cash for some food so you don't go hungry."

1104 took the money with a smile and said, "Thanks, doc."

He pocketed the cash and left the hospital for the nearest food stand. His belly ached as he looked over the menu's pictures.

The attendant saw 1104's shirt and asked, "Well, what can I get for you, Lloyd?"

1104 was about to correct him, but then he looked at his nametag, and the font didn't distinguish numbers from letters. It really did look like his name was Llloyd.

So 1104 chuckled and replied, "That depends. Do you have any..."

1104 gave it some thought. He's never ordered food before but settled on "Porkchops?"

The stand attendant chirped, "I sure do! I'll toss them on the grill for ya! The name's Tito, by the way. I've been grilling meats longer than some folks have been alive."

1104 said, "I believe it, Tito."

Tito asked, "Do you like it sweet, spicy, or a little of both?"

1104 said, a bit unsure, "Uhh, Spicy?"

Tito cheered, "Woo, heard that! I've got this Cajun mix that will blow your socks off!"

Tito rubbed a reddish-brown spice mix onto a slab of meat, then plopped it on his grill. The heat thickened the air.

The meat was loud as it cooked, but Tito's voice was even louder as he said, "Oooh, that's a nice sizzle! Let's add some corn and bell peppers to this!"

He expertly tossed the vegetables on the grill, and 1104 was amazed at his skill. Tito also dumped a bag of what looked like pre-cut fries into the fryer. Tito muttered, "Those kids will be here any minute, and they like their fries fresh!"

1104 was intrigued. Tito sprinkled salt and pepper on the vegetables. Then, as Tito skillfully tossed everything in the air and caught it on his Plate, 1104 pulled out his cash and placed the Plate in front of the soldier.

1104 offered the bundle, and Tito laughed. "Right to the point, you've got a good head on your shoulders, Lloyd."

Titto took it and counted it. He then pulled out two dollars and said, "Here's your change."

1104 said, pocketing the extra, "Thanks, Tito."

He smelled the warm food. He picked up a fork with his left arm and very carefully cut into the meat. It was very soft and juicy. He made a tiny piece to pick up and put in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. The heat from the peppers seemed to hit his mouth like a truck, and he was tearing up a bit.

Tito chuckled, "Good. I'll get some Milk to wash it down."

1104 was amazed he tried the corn, picking it up and biting into it. It was juicy and sweet. The Bell peppers, too. Ebliet, the juices were more subdued. Tito placed a glass of white next to 1104.

1104 said, "Thanks, Tito."

Tito smiled, "You're quite welcome, Lloyd; enjoy your meal."

SpongeBob noticed something about his Sweeties as they grew bigger. Maybe it was the Nickelodeon Slime changing them, but they were more humanoid than any Cat Jimmy described.

Jimmy came to see what Spongebob meant by that exactly, and his eyes nearly pooped out of his head when he saw the harem of cat girls in Headquarters.

Jimmy said, "Um, Hi?"

Rocky, the fluffiest, smiled and squealed, "Uncle Jimmy!"

The cat girls all jumped on Jimmy and hugged him tightly. They purred in pleasure.

Sherbert, the Cubbiest, shouted, "Papa! Papa! Uncle Jimmy's home!"

SpongeBob came into the room, "Coming, darlings!"

Jimmy is still reeling from the surprise he got. "I think I see what you mean."

Vanilla, who had curly fur, nuzzled her head into Jimmy's hair. Cocoa, the sleekest, mirrored the action on the other side of Jimmy's Head. Spongebob sighed, "Give him some room to breathe, girls."

They quickly loosened their cuddle.

SpongeBob asked, "What are we going to do? I can't just send my girls off to Neptune knows where!"

Jimmy gave it some thought and wiggled out of the cat's grasp. "I think I know exactly where to send them. But first, I think they need to learn how to wear clothes."

SpongeBob smiled and pulled out some colorful dresses, saying, "Way ahead of you, Jimmy!"

Sherbert squealed, "Frilly dresses! Oh, thank you, Papa, thank you!"

SpongeBob gave Sherbert the orange one with matching shoes and a bow and said, "Try it on!"

Sherbert took it eagerly. To Rocky, he gave a reddish-brown one. To Vanilla, a sky blue one. And to Cocoa, a green one.

Vanilla said, "Oh, they fit wonderfully, Papa!"

SpongeBob said, "Only the best for my girls."

Jimmy said, "That works."

Cocoa asked the first time Jimmy had ever heard her speak so far, "Where are we Sweeties headed?"

Jimmy was startled. "I was going to send you to T.U.F.F Headquarters, which specializes in helping animals like yourselves."

Rocky asked, "They'll help us find a home?"

Jimmy sighed, "Let's hope so."

He typed on VOx's keyboard and called their Headquarters.

Keswick answered, "T.U.F.F. Research and development. This is Keswick. Oh, hello, Jimmy! Glad to see our communications are still operable!"

"Likewise," Jimmy said, "Hey, remember that favor you owe me?"

Keswick said, "Oh, yeah. What do you need?"

Rocky practically jumped at the screen, "Big puppy! On the screen!"

Keswick said, "Gazzooks! It's a young Catgirl!"

Spongebob scolded, "Rocky Road, you get off that keyboard this instant."

Rocky hopped off a bit bashful. "Yes, Papa."

"Oh dear," Keswick said as he saw the other three gathered around. "There's a whole lot of them! Shot in the dark, but do you need to relocate them somewhere else?"

Jimmy said, "That would be ideal, Yes!"

Vanilla asked a bit nervously, "Are we going to be separated?"

Cocoa said, flat but reassuring, "Don't worry, Sis; it's like Papa says, 'where there's a will, there's a way.' If we do get separated, We'll find our way back together."

Sherbet was excited and said, "Eee, I can't wait to see if they have gyms so I can keep up my workouts."

Rocky said, "Yeah, keep those Cat-like reflexes sharp as ever!"

Jimmy opened a green hexagonal portal to T.U.F.F. Headquarters. "Say goodbye to your Papa, kitties."

The group all hugged SpongeBob. He said with a smile, "Goodbye, my Sweeties. Remember to be kind to others and never give up."

The Sweeties all replied, "Yes, Papa, We love you."

Cocoa squeezed the hardest and said, "I will make you proud, Papa."

SpongeBob patted her head. "You've already have."

They all let go and left into the portal.

1104 finished his meal, and his heart fell into his stomach when he heard hard rubber scrapping against concrete, Chains looping around gears. All the tell-tale sounds of that group of kids that made him crash. He tried to make a stand and fight like the soldier he was, but the only weapon at his disposal was the butter knife by his Plate.

He took it off the counter to aim it at his assailants, and his resolve melted when he saw the little boy on the Scotoer, who was the spitting image of Dr. Rodriguez.

At 1104, a girl on a bike smiled warmly and said, "Lloyd, I'm glad to see you okay!"

1104 felt his guard melt as he looked at the five of them on their micro-mobility machines. Despite their differences, they seemed to prefer acting as a unit.

The boy on the scooter next to her said, "Sorry about running you into that wall. It wasn't on purpose, I swear!"

1104 was a bit confused and asked, "It wasn't?"

The group shook their heads.

A boy in skates said, rubbing his bandaged cheek, "I know what it's like getting a bad wipeout. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on my worst enemy."

The boy on a skateboard pointed to 1104's board and asked, "How does that thing even work?"

1104 said, "Oh, uh, well, It's a bit technical."

He removed it from his pack, and the group got off their rides—the ones that could, anyway. Tito served them their fries.

Lloyd explained, pointing to the underside of his board, "You see, under the board are these two holes, and in each hole are these four magnets. When the board is on, it tries to push the magnets together, but the thing is, they really don't want to be together. So, to avoid touching each other, they get into a sort of spin. When they do, It gives me a lift and allows me to hover!"

He turned it on and threw it on the ground, and the kids were amazed as it hovered.

Then, one thousand one hundred-four quickly turned it off, and it dropped to the ground. "Who are you kids, anyway?"

The little girl replied, "I'm Regna Rocket! But you can call me Reggie!"

The boy who was on the skateboard said, "I'm her brother, Otto!"

The boy with the scooter said, "I'm Maurice Rodriguez, but everyone calls me Twister! You can call me that, too."

The boy, still wearing his skates, said, "I'm Sam Dillard, but you can call me Squid."

Lloyd asked, "Is it because you have a shark helmet?"

Sam said, "Oh, yeah, I guess that makes more sense than me wanting to be as fast as one."

The other kids chuckled.

Lloyd then asked, "But why do they call you Twister, Maurice?"

Maurice shoveled some fries into his mouth, quickly chewed them up, swallowed, and replied, "I'll show you!"

He hopped down from the bar. Then he jumped on his scooter and rode it around and around and around, spinning in a circle.

The others cheered him on, chanting, "Spin, Twister, Spin! Spin, Twister, Spin! Spin, Twister, Spin!"

1104 was a bit perturbed. Then he watched as Maurice sped up his spins, finding a way to balance on just one still somehow spinning. Then he stopped, a bit dizzy as he got off.

The kids cheered! Lloyd clapped a bit himself.

Regina then said, "Together, we're Rocket Power. We hope to one day become Extreme sports stars!"

1104 felt a smile sneak on his face. Day by Day, Llloyd would find himself with Rocket Power again to hang out. They would show them some cool tricks on their wheels or school. Llyod hung on to their every word; he marveled at just how happy they were or how upset about something that seemed so trivial, at least to him.

He Held down a pretty steady job washing windows for folks and got himself a decent apartment. Before he knew it, his arm healed. He replaced his stiff uniform with shorts and a primarily green and orange Hawaiian shirt. But he got himself a different nametag that read Lloyd a bit more clearly in bright red cursive font. He even tried surfing on real waves, and he was natural at it! Everyone seemed to know who Lloyd was. They greeted him with excitement. His hair was growing at an accelerated rate. When he moved into his apartment, bit by bit, his hair started changing. The puffball that he had been given when he was at the Time Police Academy was slowly replaced by dreadlocks that he didn't remember putting in; they were extended so much that he would have put them up in a scrunchy to reduce drag on his board. It would seem after they became just long enough to be visible past the scrunchie, it finally stopped. He also noticed hair growing on his face; he had a rather noticeable beard and mustache. It also stopped just shy of his mouth and neck; it took a week in all.

A part of 1104 felt a tiny bit jealous of the locals warmly receiving his new alter ego. But he was happy—yeah, that was the word for it. He was happy. This life was so relaxing and chill that he felt like he had forgotten something. Was it essential? He did have a camera, but he didn't offer to take anyone's picture. Lloyd went through it, and he saw he was taking pictures of technology. Why was he taking these kinds of pictures? He shrugged. Maybe getting back at it would jog his memory.

He came to the Arcade. Took a picture of the neon sign. Then he went inside, And She heard a sound he hadn't heard in a while. The sound of lasers blasting. It took him back to the fight, where he lost his leg and his brothers in arms. Pinned down behind a billboard for cover as the enemy fired a barrage of weapons, 1104 hurt his leg and fractured the bone; the medic bot cut it clean off with his medical equipment and quickly replaced it with the metal leg. His brothers-in-arms tried to keep up the fire on the enemy, but even as 1104 was forced into the fray despite still dealing with his injury, the force of the enemy. He watched as the lasers blasted 1103 in the forehead.

1102 shouted, "Ballation D, Fall back! There's too many!"

The group hopped on their boards and tried to leave, But one by one, the enemy picked them off. One thousand one hundred four saw as boards landed on the ground with a thud or were sent spinning off control mid-air. 1104 barely made it back to the battle truck with his life. He turned to the battlefield, and even though he was pleased to wait, the General didn't listen, so he closed the door on the blood-stained ground.

1104 stood in the Arcade, breathing shallow. He rushed out, finally able to remember everything. He rushed to his apartment. 1104 looked at himself in disbelief as if finally snapping out of some spell, rubbing his chin hair. He wondered how this could have happened, how this change had happened so fast. It felt like some secret part of his essence was unlocked, yet it felt so perverted. He looked at his board, which he had painted with stripes like his surfboard. His old Unifrom lay in a heap. The end of the month was upon him. He was due to leave today. So he took a deep breath and went to work. Shaving off his beard, mustache, and dreadlocks. He quickly put on his old uniform and washed the paint off of his board. He made his way to Dr. Rodriguez, determined to figure out what she knew. He slipped on his air mask as if to keep himself 1104 this time.

Dr. Rodrigeuez greeted him softly, "Oh, hello, 1104, or should I call you.."

1104 snapped, "Call me that, and you will know hurt. Now, what did you find out about the Pill doctor?"

Dr. Rodriguez said, "Yes, Well, my suspicion was correct. That Meal Pill of yours has only 1000 calories and no nutrients. It's a miracle you're even alive."

1104 felt himself mutter, "In more ways than you will ever know."

Dr. Rodriguez asked, "What was that?"

1104 said out loud, "I said that is odd. Thank you, Doctor. I shall be leaving shortly; let your son know that in the future, he..."

1104 began thinking to himself, trying to remember what, if anything, he could say about Rocket Power's future. What could he say about anyone's future when it's in battle-torn ruins?

Dr. Rodriguez waved her index finger in a waggle and said, "Nuhuhuh, no spoilers."

1104 felt his smile sneak upon him again, but he rushed away before anyone noticed. He felt a great weight in his body as he took the camera up to the portal. Somehow, deep down, he really didn't want to do this after all the kindness he was shown. All the warmth he felt. He looked down at that town, and perhaps a tiny part of him was Llloyd deep down. He knew he would miss it deeply. But he had to fulfill his purpose.

He then left through the portal and was surprised to see that Walter was already with the General. The portal closed behind him, bumping him off his board and immediately causing him to lose power. The board clattered to the ground beside him.

Walter looked 1104 up and down and said, "You haven't changed."

1104 stood up and said firmly, "Sir, my mission was for surveillance alone. Even if I were to change, I wouldn't want General D to see me sloppy. Sir."

General D said with a twisted grin, "I told you, hard as a rock that one."

General D took the camera from 1104. The General assayed away.

Walter said, "Well, it would seem you succeeded beyond my expectations. You deserve a reward. If there's anything you want, say the word."

"Sir, If I may," 1104 said, his voice tinged with fear and sadness, "I would like to look into the Archives to research a group of interest called Rocket Power. Sir."

Walter smirked and said, handing the soldier a little plastic card, "Granted."

Then he walked off. 1104 picked up his board and plugged it into his backpack. Curiously, he came outside and took off his breathing mask. The smoky, sulfurous air hit his lungs like a smoker directing his puffs at him. But oddly, even in this hazy fog of pollution and nitrogenized atmosphere, he could breathe.

1104 unplugged his breathing apparatus and threw it away. Then, he tasted the water in his pack, and it was nice and clean but not very refreshing. He made his way to the Archives on foot. It was a dangerous gamble, even in a place like the Capitol. But he was armed. He needed to see. See this place. The destruction buried under the shiny chrome; a small part of himself felt a deep sorrow. This is the future? Barely held together with wielding and prayers?

Suddenly, a rouge raider charged him, a knife drawn. But instead of responding to his hostility, 1104 greeted him warmly. "Oh, hello there, friend. Don't mind me; I'm just passing through."

The raider, scraggled and thin, stopped in their tracks as if taken aback. "What did you call me?"

1104 said, "Friend, I don't know your name. But surely you know me, right?"

The raider was confused, looking 1104 up and down. "Your soldier, One thousand One hundred and Four from Battalion D. Right?"

1104 said, looking at his name tag. "Huh, so it does read differently now."

1104 reached into his backpack, the raider on guard. But his resolve melted when 1104 pulled out a Tupperware container. "Hungry? I have quite the yarn to spin if you'll indulge me."

1104 set up a fire on the side of the road, with a bubbling cauldron of gumbo in no time at all. Serving the raider a small bowl.

The raider was puzzled and drank a bit of the soup, but seeing it was good, sat down next to 1104, polling out a ration cracker and sharing it with him. 1104 thanked them.

The raider, who was scrawny with frizzy hair, said, "My name is Gazz."

1104 smiled, "Gazz, that's a nice name."

1104 then explained where he'd been, the past, the world that it used to be, and how society functioned. He even told them about Lloyd and how easily people in the past confused his number with a name. The more he told, the more people came to their meal and shared it, listening. Pretty soon, a whole gang of raiders and bandits was enjoying the gumbo and 1104's stories—of the world long lost in the fervor of war, the peaceful commerce, the children playing without fear in the streets. It all sounded so lovely. In the warmth of the fire, the group also shared some happy memories and what little they had with each other—even sharing some laughs with 1104.

1104 then said as he ladled the last bowl of gumbo, "And there they had plenty of resources to go around for everyone. Ah, but unfortunately for me and my pot, I'm out. Thank you all for your time."

He then stood up, and the group seemed to share the same thoughts as Gazz. They were going to tail this odd soldier who seemed to want to be kind instead of hostile. He came to the Archives. He used the plastic card to get in.

1104 combed the Archives for hours, searching for what happened to Sam, Regina, Otto, and Maurice. He also wondered what had happened to Rocket Power and their home in California. The reality of the future hit 1104 like a ton of bricks. After they turned 13, the records stopped. Any other information was lost to the sands of time. There wasn't a single detail 1104 didn't already know from talking to them, not even a day before.

1104 whimpered, "They're gone. They're all gone."

He left the Archives feeling alone. He sat on a down power line like one would a bench, and a heavy sigh left his lips. He couldn't help but feel guilty. He couldn't help but grieve. What the future had become. What he had done.

1104 sat crying for a while. Then he heard a sound, it felt like he hadn't heard in ages—hard rubber scraping against the ground. He looked up and saw Gazz riding a scooter towards him in concern. 1104 was surprised.

1104 asked with a bit of a sniffle, "Where did you find that?"

Gazz answered, "Oh, uhh, I stole it. It was from a thief who stole it from a nomad, who says he found it in one of the ghost towns."

1104 said, "Oh."

Gazz got off of it and sat next to 1104, "More to the point, you seem like you have a lot on your mind. Well, I'm here for you, friend."

1104 chuckled and then became sullen again. "Remember what I told you? About Lloyd and Rocket Power?"

Gazz nodded.

1104 teared up again as he said, "I was looking in the archives to see what happened to them, and.. they're gone. Society collapsed shortly after they turned 13. I feel so foolish as to trust the Time Police over them."

Gazz asked, "In what way?"

1104 answered, "The reason why I know everything I know is to study them for the upcoming invasion."

Gazz pressed, "Invasion?"

1104 explained, "Time Baby plans on going to their world and taking it over."

Gazz then gave it some thought and muttered, "So that's how he did it."

1104 asked, "What do you mean?"

Gazz said, "I've always wondered how Time Baby managed to take the world so quickly with so many heroes rattling around. Now I know he picked the one place that didn't have any need, and the rest of the world fell alongside it."

1104 cried a bit, feeling his heart crushed.

Gazz asked, "So what are you going to do now, Lloyd?"

1104 shook his head and said, "Don't call me that; there's nothing to do. Even if I somehow was able to go back and try to change things, it's inevitable this happened because things wouldn't be so bad. I wish there were a way we could have that sort of place here in the future."

Gazz went quiet, and 1104 calmed down from his crying fit.

"What if there was?"

1104 asked, "What?"

Gazz repeated, "What if there was a way we could remake California so we can have that peaceful world again?"

They gently wiped the tears from 1104's face. 1104 asked, "But how?"

Gazz then turned his attention to the gang that rode up on their micro-mobility vehicles. 1104 recognized them from the fire.

Gazz said, "I think I know of a few people who want that too. We can help you."

1104 smiled and said, "It's like what an ancient Hawaiian told me, 'No man is an island.'"

Gazz nodded. So, 1104 and his unlikely band of friends all came together as the New Rocket Power. There was Gazz, of course, on their scooter. Their goggles shielded her from the wind. One looked to be riding an ancheint bicycle that was rusty but still worked. The raider that rode it had an artificial eye and was clothed in a frayed shirt and pants. This was Wire-Lee. Another wore brand-new hover boots; she stole them, obviously, as it was the only thing new she wore. She was wrapped tightly with long stripes of fabric, but a pair of blue eyes peeked from a hijab. And she had a bag slung over his chest like Gazz. Unlike Gazz, she also had a backpack. Her name was Mili Gray. 1104, or Lloyd as he was called, was on his Hoverboard and was leading them all to an oasis in what was California to hopefully start rebuilding society. Despite whatever came next, the four of them were now determined to right the wrong Time Baby had brought.