The second chapter of the story as the Penguins face the consequences of their actions as the entire zoo suffers.
[Operation Acquired]
"Inspection Day"
Location: Central Park Zoo
Date: December 18, 2011; 9:30 A.M.
Character: Skipper
The alarm immediately rang throughout the lair as the morning wake-up call erupted.
"W-ah! Get back Mr. Gummy Fish! Don't make me use my slapping flippers on you!" Cried Skipper has he sprang into action and landed on the floor below, in signature fighting stance.
"It's 9:30! It's 9:30! Wake up call! Wake up call! Get out of bed, you sleepyheads!" Rang the voice of the lair.
Private sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Morning already?"
"Yeahghgha." Said Rico as he hopped down out of bed.
Kowalski sprang down the floor and immediately thrust out his clipboard.
"Kowalski, morning routine!" Ordered Skipper as he tidied himself up.
"First, we go out on our morning patrol around the zoo's interior and posterior. Then we advance in hardcore training and end the morning eating a fish or two, Skipper." Read Kowalski as he quickly put his clipboard away.
"Exactly. Men, move out!" Commanded Skipper as he lead his men out of the lair and habitat.
Noise could be heard all across the zoo.
"Quiet, soldiers!" Hissed Skipper as he put up a flipper to shush them.
"Oh, you're going to find that the zoo is very suitable for New York, Mr. Thompson. Here at the Central Park Zoo, we try our best to take care of the animals and make sure it is a pleasant stay for everyone," said Alice as she walked down the path with what appeared to be a stern, middle-aged man with partly-gray hair.
Mr. Thompson growled in annoyance. "Oh, shut up, would you? It is my decision whether or not this playground is suitable for New York. Now, please let me do my job!"
Alice opened her mouth as if to say something but stopped herself and nodded.
"Men, move on!" Whispered Skipper as he slid across the zoo after the two humans as they walked deeper into the zoo. His 'soldiers' followed after him.
"Here we have the bird inclosures," said Alice as she led Mr. Thompson into the birdhouse.
"Oh my God!" Cried Alice as she stopped in her tracks and immediately stepped in front of Mr. Thompson. "Oh, well that's it. Let's go show you the reptile house!"
Mr. Thompson growled. "What are you going on about?" He brushed past her and immediately growled with anger at the site of the broken inclosure and the partly-injured bird sitting inside.
"Please, Mr. Thompson. Let's please go back outside!" Said Alice.
Mr. Thompson grunted and walked outside in rage. Then he saw the road up ahead. Lamp posts and fences lay all over the path, leaves and destroyed bushes everywhere. The zoo was an absolute mess.
"Mr. Thompson, I promise! This wasn't like this when I left!" Protested Alice.
"And I suppose you left five years ago? Who's been running this piece of crap?" Questioned Mr. Thompson.
"Well, me. But you see..." Started Alice.
"Mhmm... I am afraid I am going now. Good luck, Miss Alice." Said Mr. Thompson as he jotted some notes on a clipboard and walked off down the destroyed path.
"No!" Screamed Alice as she sprang through the air and grabbed hold of his leg. "Please don't leave! I can pay you! This is the only job I have!"
They both turned their heads, for they were standing right by the security office. There in front of them was the fat, muscular Butch, whom had been tied up and lying there all night. "H-hi."
Mr. Thompson turned his head back to Alice and spat. "Good riddance, Miss Alice!" And he stormed off down to the zoo entrance.
"No! Don't go!" Cried Alice as she ran after Mr. Thompson.
But by then he was already outside the zoo gate. "Good day, Miss Alice!" He said for the final time as he threw his health note at her and slammed the gate, storming off toward his car.
The white parchment drifted through the air and landed splat on the ground. Alice picked it up and scanned through it, her eyes widening. In anger, she folded the slip and put it in her pocket, storming off toward the penguin habitat.
"Move, boys!" Cried Skipper as he flew off for the habitat, his comrades following at lightning speed. The four quickly stood in their signature stance within the habitat.
Alice reached the habitat and threw a fit. "Listen, penguins! You have messed with this zoo for the very last time! Do you know what you've done? Do ya?"
The penguins remained silent as Alice snarled and spat at the ground, tears practically raining down her face.
"Well you better be happy! You've ruined the community, the zoo, and, most importantly, MY LIFE!" Screamed Alice as she crumbled the health notification slip and threw it at the penguins. "So thanks..."
And she walked off.
"Skippah?" Asked Private. "Is it?"
Skipper picked up the slip and unfolded it, reading every last word of it. "Yes, Private. Yes..."
"Wha?" Asked Rico.
"Rico, it's best that you cover your ears. You wouldn't be able to stand the drama..." Explained Kowalski.
Rico shook his head. "Wha is iht?"
Skipper crumbled up the paper and threw it as far as possible. "Men. Fear the worst. At this point, our lives have changed dramatically. Expect the unexpected. We're on edge now... We let everyone down."
"Wha's happehnd?" Asked Rico, clearly not understanding.
Skipper frowned and down to the ground. "Rico, soldier, I don't know how to say this, but... the zoo has been shut down."