Chapter 1. How it Began

It was a normally busy evening at the KND Moonbase. Kids Next Door operatives were everywhere, finishing filing paperwork, on patrol, or keeping everything shipshape. Supreme global commander, Numbuh 362, was on her hourly patrol with the Head of Decommissioning, Numbuh86, not far behind her.

"But sir, this boy will be 13 tomorrow! Can't I just decommission him now?"

"No," Numbuh 362 replied firmly, "why should he have to go before his time, just be patient Numbuh 86."

"But sir…"

"No buts! My word is final. Go get some sleep, you'll need if for tomorrow if you're going to do the job right."

"Yeah, I guess so," Numbuh 86 yawned, "good night, Numbuh 362."

"Good night, Numbuh 86."

Numbuh 86 walked off to her room to get some rest. Numbuh 362 was alone once again, but not for long. Numbuh 7! popped up beside her.

"Time to give it a rest for the night, marm?" She was the only operative Numbuh 362 knew who didn't address her as "sir."

"Indeed Numbuh 7 factorial. How's your stay here been so far?"

Numbuh 7!'s short, layered, dark blond hair bobbed as she pondered and walked, "Quite good, quite good. Though, the spacesuit takes a bit of getting used to."

The short operative had a positive presence, which Numbuh 362 could not help but smile at. "I need you to report to my office for the night."

"Very well, marm." Numbuh 7! said and followed Numbuh 362 to her quarters.

"Numbuh 7 factorial," Numbuh 362 piped up after they were in her office. "I've been having terrible nightmares. They seem too real it's scary. Numbuh 86 said that you might be able to help?"

"Me?"

Numbuh 362 shrugged, "Yes, she said something about meditation…?"

Numbuh 7! nodded in recollection, "Oh, I see. If I do that you'll fall asleep peacefully which may make your dreams equally peaceful?"

"Exactly."

"Well, then get comfy marm. Sleep doesn't come to the uncomfortable."

While the global commander settled down in her bed, Numbuh 7! Cleared her throat. "Ready?"

"Yeah,"

"Very well," Then Numbuh 7! began slowly and continued at the same gentle pace as she described a peaceful vision. She could tell it wouldn't take very long for Numbuh 362 to fall asleep.

"You are on the top of a lush, grassy hill. For now, there are no deadlines. No work to do. No worries. You are free to do as you please. A cloud slowly floats downward toward you and stops right next to you. You climb onto the softest and fluffiest thing you have ever felt. Then it flies back into the sky, and takes you on a relaxing ride…"

She stopped there, because she could tell that Numbuh 362 was fast asleep.

In her dreams, Numbuh 362 was still on that imaginary cloud. But not for long. Father appeared right in her face, fiery and ferocious as ever.

"You thought tour little dream maker could keep me away? My, weren't you mislead!"

Numbuh 362 cringed, she couldn't stop him. How was he there anyway? She sat there and tried to imagine that he was gone.

"Oh, you can't make me go away, I'll stay here as long as I please!" He put a burning hand on her shoulder.

"Ah!" Numbuh 362 yelped and drew air between clenched jaws.

"And there's no one here to help you!" Father shouted as he knocked Numbuh 362 off the cloud.

Numbuh 7! woke to the sound of a thud. She rubbed her eyes and saw Numbuh 362 on the floor near her bed. Numbuh 7! gasped and ran over to her and mistakenly tried to help her up by her shoulders. Numbuh 362 shrieked and her eyes shot open, "Don't touch my shoulder," she moaned. She moved aside some of her sleeve to reveal an awful looking burn mark on her left shoulder.

"I'll call Med Lab, marm," Numbuh 7! said, as she ran to one of the walls and pulled down the "medical assistance" lever.

"It's not a dream anymore," Numbuh 362 whispered to herself, glaring hatefully at the burn, "It's war."