Camaraderie: ch. 8- The month that followed

Chapter 8

One month ago, my best friend was taken from me yet again. Nat left for Hoboken and Skipper ordered me not to go after her. He doesn't realize how hard that is for me to simply forget about her. News stories popped up about the explosions, but none of them were close to the truth. The humans thought that a boiler had been left on and exploded; Skipper is satisfied with that explanation. Two days later, Julien immediately resumed being his annoying self; he seems quite happy without Nat around to mess with him. Mort seems to have forgotten about the events that occurred not so long ago. Maurice is trying to forget it all and Josie's become bigger; I think she might deliver any day now. Nothing much has happened, just the usual training. The only different thing is that Skipper keeps getting messages from the Antarcti-er…never mind, it's classified.

"Kowalski, what are you doing?" Skipper called through the fishbowl entrance, "I said everyone up top for training."

"Coming!" Kowalski called, closing his journal and shoving it under his pillow; he grabbed his pencil and a notepad before heading out.

The day was sunny and clear, Kowalski joined the others in stretching.

"Ah, spring is beautiful." Skipper remarked.

The others nodded and waited for Skipper to begin.

"Alright men," He said, "First order of business. Kowalski, how're we looking today?"

"Mighty fine if I do say so myself." Kowalski replied smugly, causing the other two to giggle.

Skipper slapped Kowalski upside the head and glared at Rico and Private. "I meant the agenda for today."

Kowalski held back a scowl and pulled out his clipboard, "We have training, followed by breakfast; then more training; entertaining visitors which carries through lunch; a meeting in the Zoovenir Shop; then a two hour slot before dinner; then dinner and relaxing before bed. Also, someone needs to be on recon tonight."

Skipper rubbed the underside of his beak, "Well, what can we fill the two hours with?"

Kowalski drew a breath. "Babies." Skipper, Rico and Private stared at him in confusion,

"Josie's about to have her baby any day now and what if we have to deliver it? We could ask Marlene and the badgers."

Private whimpered.

"Private, they're nice now. Build a bridge and get over it." Skipper said sternly.
Private nodded, "But how will we check on the baby?"

Kowalski grinned and stood tall, his eyes gleaming in the rising sunlight. "I have
created a device that mimics the ultrasound machine that humans use to see the baby." Skipper's eyebrows rose suspiciously, "No need to worry Skipper, I've already tested it out. My test subject, Rico, swallowed Mort and I was able to see him and pick up his heartbeat."

"Yeah!" Rico rasped excitedly, tongue hanging out of his beak.

Skipper considered this, "Maybe it cou- Ringtail, what are you doing here?!"

"Hellooooooo neighbors!" Julien waved from the fence around their habitat. "I found this guy." He pointed to an irritated bald eagle. "He is looking for Skipper."

Julien grinned and bounded back to his habitat.

"Message for Skipper." the eagle muttered, staring at Julien.

Skipper gave him a cold stare, "It's from Antarctica, correct?"

The eagle nodded, "Supreme General Kent sent me. A message for Captain Skipper Sorenson of unit 3, members include First Lieutenant Kowalski Taro, Specialist Rico Blue, Private First Class…er, Private Davis, Second Lieutenant Dennis Manfredi and Sergeant Lenny Johnson; permission to recite message, sir?"

"Denied." Skipper snapped, "I know what they want and I am not going. This unit is no longer affiliated with Manfredi and Johnson. You tell them to stop bugging me."

The eagle ruffled his feathers, "Fine, but you're going to be filed for insubordination and don't come crying to me when you do." He took off in a huff.

"I don't care!" Skipper yelled after the bird.

"Um, Skipper?" Private said, "What's going on?"

Skipper shot him a glare and Private backed away. "It is none of your concern. They probably want me to rejoin my old unit, but I won't." His expression darkened, "I'm not going, not with him there."

"Who?" Private chirped; he was immediately slapped by Kowalski.

"Don't ask naïve questions." Kowalski hissed, then he raised his voice, "Back to training?" he asked the leader.

"No slapping without my authorization." Skipper said, "You don't want to know who I am avoiding. Actually, it's best if we maintained our distance."

They resumed training even though Private still had questions.

The morning brought on visitors who were throwing fish for the penguins and laughing at Julien kicking Mort. Marlene dove into her pool and performed a water dance for the humans. Skipper caught himself staring at her a few times in the gap of people.

Later, they stood and waved to the leaving visitors. Rico snuck up on Private and yelled; Private jumped and fell into the water. The kids laughed and pointed. Kowalski and Skipper stood next to each other, smiling.

Kowalski leaned over, watching Private climb back and shake water from his feathers.

"Skipper, are you sure you're not avoiding Jordan?" he asked.

"What?!" Skipper spluttered, his face turning beet red, "N-no, I'm over her."

"Over who?" Private asked, watching Rico carefully.

"Jordan Johnson, Lenny Johnson's little sister." Kowalski said smugly.

Skipper blushed harder and the team cracked up, "Stuff it." he advised. "Funny…stop now…I mean it…ALRIGHT! Five laps around the zoo, now." He ordered.

The other three groaned and set off around the zoo.

"Kowalski…you really…shouldn't have said that…" Private panted, trailing behind the tall one.

"I know…messing with him…is fun..." Kowalski responded, trying to outrun Rico.

A blur flew past Private and Kowalski. "You started this a few minutes ago and I'm ahead of you." Skipper smirked.

Kowalski growled and ran faster. Private was way behind by the fifth lap. Rico was behind Kowalski and Skipper; Kowalski kept an eye on Skipper, trying to catch up to him.

Skipper smiled and ran off the path, Kowalski followed him.

Private finished his laps and stood by the gate with Rico; they watched the other two run.
Skipper hopped onto the brick wall and slid past the lemur habitat, and then he started to run backwards.

"Show off." Kowalski gasped, trying to breathe. "Marlene!"

"Marlene?" Skipper wondered. He turned around and crashed into Marlene; both of them tumbled to the ground.

"Skipper…" Marlene grunted, "Get off me."

Skipper realized he was on top of her, his beak an inch away from her face. "Sorry."  He blushed again, jumping to his feet and helping her up. "I wasn't watching-"

"It's alright," Marlene said, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks. "Be careful next time, hi Kowalski!" She waved and set off to find Josie.

Skipper stared after her, and then spotted his teammate grinning widely. "What are you on about?"

Kowalski burst into laughter; he was bent double, clutching his sides.

Skipper rolled his eyes and proceeded to the Zoovenir shop. Kowalski followed the leader and he was still pink with laughter as they approached the gift shop Rico and Private caught up to the other two and they entered the shop.

"Hello slap-happy penguins!" Julien said, jumping on the counter. "Okay, first order of the busyness-"

"The first order is my order, which is for you to sit down." Skipper said; he glared at Julien who stuck his tongue out at the penguin. "Ringtail, I have one nerve, and you're on it."

"What is that, a threat?" Julien scoffed; Skipper nodded. "No one threatens the king which is me!"

"Julien, sit." Josie said sternly, "Sorry Skipper, please continue."

"Alright, turning the floor over to Kowalski now, and no we're not actually moving the floor." He shot another glare at Julien who put his raised hand down.

Kowalski stepped forward and withdrew his clipboard, "First item on the agenda, no more throwing poo at parents or they will refuse to bring their children, thus eliminating visitors." He looked at the chimps seriously, "Second, please refrain from pick pocketing, looking at you two right now." He eyed Bada and Bing, the gorillas, "Third point, Burt, you have enough peanuts, so stop sneaking into the food storage room and taking them." The elephant smiled guiltily; Kowalski smiled, "Last thing, I want to congratulate Josie for having less than one week until the baby comes. Yeah, there's going to be a few changes in the zoo, we're going to need to baby proof this place like there's no tomorrow."

Everybody cheered; Kowalski didn't know if it was because they were excited that the baby was coming, or they were relieved that he finally stopped talking. The animals left one by one and congratulated Josie as they went by. Soon, the only ones left were the penguins, lemurs and Marlene. Skipper smiled at Marlene who smiled back.

"Feet!" Mort squealed, running towards Julien. Julien kicked him through the open doors. "Whee! I'm flying!"

Maurice sighed, "I'll go find him. Anyone want to help?"

"Sure." Private said cheerfully, "Can I, Skippa?"

Skipper nodded and watched the two leave, then turned to look at Julien and Josie who were talking quietly.

"I think we should give them some space." Marlene whispered. Skipper got the idea and gestured for the other two to follow him out.

"Are we alone?" Josie giggled, kissing Julien.

Julien nodded and returned the kiss.

"Julien, will you help me raise the baby?" Josie asked, looking up into his yellow-orange eyes.

"Yes." Julien said, "If it's a boy, can we call him JJ?"

Josie laughed, "Of course, sweetie."

"So, we are officially a couple?"

"Yes, baby, we are."

"Awesome! My Queen." He bowed to her and she knocked his crown off playfully.

"My King." Josie said, she hugged him, "I love you so much."

Julien's mouth turned dry, he didn't know what to say. "I-I am…I am lo-…"

Josie nodded encouragingly. Julien took a deep breath. "Allovyatoo"

Josie gave a puzzled and amused look.

Julien shook his head and kissed her. "I love you too."

The two of them left the shop and returned to the lemur habitat.

"We're not the only ones sharing a moment." Josie giggled again, she pointed to Marlene and Skipper who were standing close together and talking quietly.

Julien grinned, "So, Mr. Bossy penguin has found a girlfriend."

Josie gave him a 'don't tease him' look and plopped herself on the bouncy. Julien joined her and the two resumed kissing.

Meanwhile, Skipper had turned to Rico and Kowalski outside the shop, "Go on to HQ." he muttered to them. Kowalski smiled and pushed Rico back to their home.

Skipper and Marlene slowly walked across the stone paved ground.

"I saw you yelling at a bird earlier, what happened?" Marlene asked.

"I'd rather leave the past, like Barry, untouched." He smiled somewhat sadly.

"And there's nothing and no one you miss from the past. What about your mother? Do you ever worry about her?" Marlene moved closer to Skipper. "I miss my parents like crazy."

Skipper stopped and looked up into the sky; he could see a few stars peeking out of the clouds. "I do miss my mother. I don't worry though, she can take care of herself and she's protected by a good friend of mine. Johnny Bone, my mentor and role-model, agreed to watch over my mother. I trust him and he's one of the best agents out there."

Marlene smiled, putting an arm around him. She noticed his sad expression remained.

"You're thinking of someone else. Is it your father and brothers? I feel sad for them."

"Lesson one, Doll face," Skipper said, adopting the voice of a wise old man, *"Do not pity the dead, Marlene. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love."*

"Like Koru and Blowhole." Marlene sighed; she waved to Private who disappeared into HQ.

"Do you think Simon died? I hate him, but he doesn't deserve to die, not like that."

"You think?" Skipper wondered. "He's slippery; I wouldn't be surprised if he survived."

"Who is it? The one you're thinking about."

"I'd rather not-"

"Please, just tell me."

"Marle-"

"Please…is it another penguin? Is it…a girl?"

"Yes, but not what you think."

"Who is she?"

"Do you-"

"Yes, I really want to know."

Skipper considered this; he looked into Marlene's face and opened his beak.

Before either of them could say anything, there was a loud squawk from the HQ. "SKIPPER!"

It was Kowalski. "You have an urgent call on the television; they hacked into the system and won't go until they talk to you."

Marlene sighed. "Great timing, Kowalski." She muttered under her breath.

Skipper put both flippers on her shoulders, "Marlene, I'll tell you when I've taken care of this, I promise." He pecked her on the cheek and disappeared into the underground base.

Skipper glared angrily at the face on the screen. A young penguin, around Private's age, was on the screen, his brown eyes focused on Skipper.

"Get out." He ordered the other three penguins.

Skipper was furious, "My team, my orders. You don't tell them what to do." He growled.

"Fine, my name is Victor and I need to talk with you." the penguin on the screen said, annoyed.

"No, no, no, no, a thousand times no."

"Skipper, you don't even know wha-"

"Save the suck ups for your leader."

"We've been contac-"

I already gave you an answer, get off my television."

The brown eyed penguin groaned in frustration, "Would you liste-"

"No!" Skipper snapped.

"I'm try-"

"I DON'T CARE!"

"I THINK YOU WOULD, CONSIDER-"

"NO! GET OUT! I TOLD YOU I WOULDN'T, LEAVE ME ALONE! I SHOULD REPORT YOU TO GENERAL KENT
FOR HARASSMENT OF A SENIOR OFFICER-"

Skipper drew breath and Victor seized the moment,

"IT'S ABOUT YOUR SISTER!"

Silence, no one moved or spoke. Victor took steadying breaths, waiting for Skipper's reaction. Skipper stared at the screen, his face paled considerably.

Finally, Kowalski broke the silence. "Go now, hurry." He whispered, pushing the other two up the ladder. Rico and Private closed the hatch behind them.

Kowalski walked over and stood next to Skipper. "Victor, was this the reason for all the messages?"

"Yes," Victor hissed, "And the only one we could contact refused our calls."

"What happened?" Skipper croaked.

"Well, you ignor-"

"No bird-brain, Rocky! What's happened to my sister?" Skipper growled.

"She was sent on a solo mission to Australia, but the plane flew off course. It crashed off the southern coast of Africa. After a thorough search, we found the wreckage about two miles out to sea and the dead pilot five more miles out. We couldn't find her, she's lost at sea."

"What about Madagascar?" Kowalski asked.

"Mada-what?" Victor asked; he pulled out an old looking map. "There's no Madagascar here, see." He put the map of Africa up to the camera.

"There on the right coast." Kowalski said.

Victor checked the map again, "I thought that was a coffee stain." He mumbled.

"It's not bloody coffee stain!" Skipper shouted, "Its Madagascar, that's where Ringtail, Sad-Eyes and Portly Lemur come from!"

"Gee, give a guy a break." Victor said, rolling his eyes.

"We'll take care of this, you can leave now." Kowalski said, "I am also your superior officer and therefore order you to leave." He added in response to Victor's defiant expression.

Victor sighed and reached for a remote. The television turned blank. Rico peeked into the entrance and made eye contact with Kowalski.

"Both of you can come in." Kowalski said, glancing at Skipper.

"You have a sister?" Private asked, earning surprised looks from Kowalski and Skipper, "It's hard not to hear shouting."

"Yeah, egaba wadoawa" Rico babbled.

"Yes, you didn't know for her safety." Skipper sighed, walking over to the table and placing his head between his flippers. "Rocky, my only sister…Dad told us to look after each other, and if there's the slightest chance that she's alive and on that lemur-infested island…"

"We're going to find her." Kowalski said confidently.

Skipper smiled at his team, and then he became serious. "I'm going to need everything for this mission. Rico, weapons check." Rico rumbled his stomach. "Great. Kowalski, supplies from your lab." Kowalski nodded, "And Private, bring Julien and Mort." Private gave a quizzical look, "Trust me." Skipper smiled.

Private left and returned two minutes later with King Julien and Mort.

"Ringtail, are you up for an adventure?" Skipper grinned.

"Oh yes! Eh, one question, Why no Maurice and Josie?" Julien asked.

"This mission would most likely put her and the baby in danger and Maurice needs to stay here to help her. Mort's coming because he'd follow us anyway." Kowalski said.

"Okay then, where are we going?"

"Madagascar." Skipper replied.

Julien's face split into a wide grin, "How are we to be getting there?" he said excitedly.

"Flying," Skipper said, "Kowalski, would you like to show them?"

Kowalski opened an entrance that went deeper underground.

There, in the large room, was the wreck of their submarine, King Julien II. There were also six airplanes; one was bigger than the others. Four of the small ones were the single fighter planes that they always flew. The second to largest was covered up next to them. Kowalski showed them the bigger one, which they would be flying.

It looked like it could fit three of Roy if the door wasn't penguin sized. The black lettering on the side said United Penguin. Julien looked back at the smaller one which was hidden by a dark green tarp. He edged towards it, but was stopped by Skipper.

"Another time, perhaps." Skipper said.

"Alright, ready?" Kowalski asked, "We've got snacks and extra food for the flight.
Everyone went to the bathroom?"

The others nodded.

"Then let's get the show on the road…or in this case, in the air." He chuckled.

The penguins, Mort, and Julien stepped on the plane; Rico closed the door behind them.

The interior was beautiful; shining metal outside and velvet seats on the floor where the passengers could see the front where Skipper and Kowalski would be. There were three small doors in the back; one led to the food storage room, one led to the engine room, and the last was a small room concealing the emergency escape hatch.

Skipper sat himself in the pilot's seat, told everyone to buckle up, and started the plane. A tunnel to the outside opened.

Kowalski nodded and they slowly rumbled out, gathering speed as they approached the mouth of the tunnel.