There was silence within the HQ. Candles were set up everywhere and the normal lights were off, making the room glow orange. All the equipment had been pushed into Kowalski's lab to give more room for the candles and the one penguin sitting in the circle of candles, his flippers rubbing against eachother in a strange habit. His head was bowed and his eyes were closed. He muttered under his breath slightly.

The hatch to the HQ opened, pouring in bright light. Private jumped in, and protests could be heard from outside.

"Skippah?" Private asked carefully, softly and slowly padding towards his leader. He never acted like this...

Skipper opened his eyes slightly," Yes Private?" he asked, his voice quiet.

"Are... you OK?" Private stood in front of him a couple feet away.

"..." There was silence as Skipper sat in silence.

The silence seemed to last forever, the candles flickering and making the shadows dance.

"Sit down Private. I need to tell you a tale..." Skipper suddenly said, moving his head up to meet Private's, his back naturally straightening out.

Private plopped down, leaning in intently out of curiousity.

"... about 9/11"

And Skipper began.

A younger Skipper stood in a secluded spot, near the Twin Towers with his two newest recruits.

"So, Manfredi. You remember the plan right?" Skipper asked the first penguin, who saluted.

"Yes sir!"

"Johnson?"

"Yep!"

"Good." Skipper responded," Remember, no room for error. We need to get these plans."

"Aye Sir!" They said at the same time, grinning like crazy.

"Alright then, go!" Skipper slid away.

"Why did you need the plans?"

"They held the plans for our current HQ, which were confiscated by the Militia after a failed mission."

Private nodded," Please continue."

"This is awesome! Our very first mission!" Johnson jumped up and down as he stood next to his brother.

His brother nodded calmly," Indeed. Now, I'll take the tower on the left, you take the one on the right!"

"K! See you back at the spot!" they high-fives, and split off.

Skipper was the scout for them, making sure that no one would spot them or come too near.

He had set up on a nearby building, where he could see through the glass and onto the floors they were on. Skipper looked around with his goggles, so far so good. The brothers flashed him the OK signal, each with a piece of plan in their hand.

Wait, what's that noise?

Skipper turned his goggles so he could see the growing speck in the distance. Oh it was just a plane, but it seemed to be flying too low.

And it was headed straight at the towers!

Skipper's eyes widened and he motioned for them to get out, to duck, to do anything! He started yelling, but they weren't paying attention.

The first plane hit into Johnson's floor, who's mouth was open in either terror or the fact he was screaming. The fireball engulfed him.

Manfredi was already down a flight of stairs and still going, but even he couldn't outrun a plane. Skipper was yelling, screaming, crying, all at once.

Manfredi suffered the same fate as his brother.

Skipper wiped away a few stray tears that escaped him as Private sat there slack-jawed.

"Wo-Wow."

Skipper nodded and closed his eyes again. He suddenly felt something wrap around him, and he opened his eyes to see Private hugging him.

"I-It look like you needed it." Private let go, and was suddenly gone.

Skipepr heard the hatch closed, and chuckled inspite of himself.

That kid was way too naive for his own good.

In memory of those who dies in 9/11. For the ones who risked their lives and couldn't come home to their families. For the ones that were innocent in this crossfire, and the ones in United 49 who crashed that plane early to save other lives.
I salute you. -Skipper1318