A.N.: Obviously, Madagascar is not a kingdom anymore, but let's make this an AU where it still is. I know lemur groups are female-dominated, but for the purposes of this story I wrote the Madagascan society as ruled by a king.
After the hurried take off, the military cargo plane had entered a steady flight, now somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. It seemed like it was going to be an uneventful journey all the way to Madagascar. The four Special Forces operatives that comprised the team codenamed "PENGUIN" had been briefed earlier that week regarding their newest assignment. Madagascar, the island nation off the coast of Africa, had remained, as many other African lands, a monarchy. In a desperate effort to keep hold of his crown and, as he claimed to the American powers that be, avoid endangering the balance of peace worldwide, the current king, Julien the XIIth had asked for help. From the information they were provided, a local group of insurgents and terrorists were threatening with a coup d'etat. The decision was made for the four of them to be sent in as the avant-garde of the military back up (from a big world power, even) the king had asked for. They would assess the situation, send back intel and act as the royal family's guard in the meantime. This lack of actual action and status of glorified bodyguards had not gone over well with some of them, especially the team leader, Skipper. But, protest as he might, he was now on the cargo plane steadily making it's way towards Madagascar.
Skipper came back from the plane's cockpit, where he had been discussing the itinerary and schedule of the journey with the two pilots. He slumped down into a seat next to Private, the team's youngest member. Taking a better look at his young comrade, he saw that he was engrossed in a novel. Skipper leaned forward trying to see the title of the book on the cover or the spine, but couldn't catch a good glimpse.
'Whatcha reading, Private?' Startled, the young man hugged his book to his chest.
'Umm… Nothing, sir.' Skipper raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
'I was just making conversation, but now you piqued my interest.' And with that he snatched the book from Private's hands. He looked over the cover, the title and the author's name. Then, because he needed more reassurance, he flipped a few pages.
'Is this…a romance novel?' Private nodded reluctantly. 'Why? Just why? How can you stand this mushy, gooey stuff? People who write romance have nothing better to do. And people who read it…' he was interrupted by Private taking back his book, a scowl on his face.
'I like feelings. Nothing wrong with them. And I like love, okay? And the idea of being in love. Every good story, no matter what kind, needs a little dash of romance. Love changes people, it makes them do things they wouldn't dream of normally. Imagine how lackluster our history and culture would be if we didn't have all those famous lovers that make it so much richer and more interesting: Tristan and Isolde, Romeo and Juliet, Abelard and Eloise, Queen Victoria and Albert. Paris stole Helena out of love, Orpheus traveled to Hell out of love. Lancelot and Guinevere and Paolo and Francesca disregarded the norms of society for their love.'
Skipper silently watched as Private became more and more impassioned about what he personally felt was a silly and unnecessary subject. The young man's passion was to be admired, if he were to be honest. He also wasn't aware that Private's cultural knowledge extended this much. The moment was shattered by Kowalski, who piped up from behind them.
'Pierre and Marie Curie loved each other and,,, science!'
'Right…' Private and Skipper eyed him wearily. Rico was sitting beside Kowalski, but luckily for him he was oblivious to their conversation. He couldn't tell you what was going on around him or outside the window he was leaning his head against. With earphones in his ears and his eyes closed, he had decided to spend as much of the journey he possibly could in his own world.
'Thanks for that Kowalski, I didn't know you were listening.' Said Private, polite as ever. Turning to Skipper, he added, curiosity mixing with innocence in his eyes and a slight hint of fear that he might be crossing some kind of line. 'Haven't you ever been in love Skipper?' The commander gave a laugh, not exactly the reaction Private expected from him.
'You know very well I tried, Private. I didn't exactly hide my tangles with the ladies back home.'
'Yes, sir. But was it butterflies in the stomach, weak knees love?' Skipper sent a withering look his way. He almost had enough of this nonsense. Listen to the lad, "butterflies in the stomach".
'Private, when you're in my position you can't afford that. Now, I don't want to crack your rose tinted glasses, but love's a liability. Your enemies can get to you so much easier through your loved ones. Also, a partner can stand idly by so many times, while you're whisked away on dangerous missions with very low chances of survival. In any case, I prefer my soldier's life. I have my freedom…' he faltered.
Private had been watching him while he gave his answer. The young man observed Skipper's face, earnest and open as always, but at the end it closed off just for a brief second like a cloud had past over it for a moment.
'Anyway… I enjoy being in the Special Forces and serving my country and if that means sacrificing aspects of my personal life, so be it. I don't want to sound cynical or jaded or maybe I am, but this right here can give me more satisfaction than any romantic relationship. Adventure, the potential for glory, a chance to show your bravery.' He sighed wistfully. 'What more can you ask?'
'Oh, I don't know. Access to a high-tech laboratory facility or at least some scientific equipment? Is that too much, you think?' said Kowalski, with a sad, little voice. 'I'm gonna be sans science for months. I'm gonna go mad, surely.'
'Going to? That implies a future occurrence.' Said Skipper.
'Oh. Haha!'
They sat in silence for a while, Rico still in his music filled little world. Private had abandoned his novel to staring out the window. Disappointingly, there was nothing much out there other than water. At one point their stomachs informed them it was meal time. Rico joined them after a bit too powerful nudge from Kowalski.
'So, this Madagascar… is it really that bad?' asked Private after he swallowed his bite of sandwich.
'Well, I don't think it's nearly as bad as it gets when there are insurgents and terrorists involved.' Said Kowalski, in his lecturing tone. 'At the moment, the population is split into two groups, one supporting the king, Julien the XIIth, and the other amassing behind the leader of the insurgent opposition, Clemson. There is unrest on the streets, but there haven't been downright riots yet. The massive threat is to the royal family, that is the exact reason they have asked for our help.'
'Surely, if there is a place in this world in need of some love magic, it's that.' Said Private with a half smile, as if still deciding if he was serious or not. Skipper and Kowalski merely rolled their eyes, but Rico look at him confused, having missed the first part of the conversation.
'Honestly Private, I don't know if your persevering naïve romanticism is to be admired or not.' Said Skipper, crossing his arms over his chest. Private pushed his bottom lip out in a slight pout, but continued.
'Well, I just think it's awful, the hand these people and their country have been dealt by fate right now. And since no one can control their fate…' but he was unable to finish his thought.
'Fate?! Private! There is no such thing as fate!' exclaimed Skipper a bit outraged at the notions that were floating in his inferior officer's head. 'People make and undo their own lives through their own stupid mistakes.' Private gave a barely noticeable flinch at the harsh words, but his commander ignored the gesture and continued. 'And the same happens to countries. They get screwed over by their leaders. What makes you think this king isn't some god awful tyrant? You haven't even met him yet.'
'I…I…'
'Don't worry about it Private.' Said Skipper, patting the private's head, a softer look in his eyes, now. 'There's much you need to learn still and you still have the time.' Private gave him a beaming smile. If this was a competition, and Kowalski and Rico would never say that it was, Private would always win "commander's pet". Of course, the image of Skipper petting Kowalski or Rico's head like that would a) look ridiculous and b) end with some dangerous repercussions for their leader and his hand.
They eventually ended up falling asleep, although the military plane didn't have any of the comforts offered on a commercial airline, like pillows or nice little blankets to spread over themselves. They were startled several hours later when the pilot's voice came crackling over the intercom announcing they had arrived to their destination and should be preparing for landing. They scrambled to put their seatbelts on before they hit the runway.
After the landing maneuvers were over and the airstair lowered, the four commandos exited the plane intent to recover their luggage and finally meat their "employer". Once outside, Private felt somewhat confused. They were standing on a concrete slab wide and long enough for aircrafts to land on it. It was plain to see it was specifically made for that purpose. Everything else around them, on the other hand, was the lush verdure of a tropical forest.
'What is happening? I thought we were going to the capital.' Said Private, voicing his confusion.
'Oh, the king feared an attempt on his life. So he retreated to one of his other estates, here in the south of the country. That's where we're headed now.' Kowalski answered him.
They retrieved their luggage and hopped into a van sent by the royal household to escort them. Apparently they were informed the four Americans had arrived, though none of the PENGUINS could tell you how, not even Kowalski. Behind them the plane was already flying back home.
A.N.: If you're wondering where Julien is, don't worry. He'll make his grand entrance in the next chapter. Since he is a major character (if not the main one), you will be seeing a lot of him.
