Chapter 4 – Captured

A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry for taking so long to update. I was planning to post this chapter sooner but I was really busy lately. Anyway, there will be some Skilene moments in this one and others in the future.

Enjoy the read.

PoM

Kowalski was searching inside the boxes in the warehouse for anything they could use later. He would glance at the table where his PCD was, waiting for Skipper to call him and tell them how everything was going. Then he turned his attention to Private who was sleeping quietly on the floor. Walking over to him he removed the dry cloth and socked it with cold water again before putting back on his forehead.

"I wished I could do more for you, Private" he thought. Suddenly Private's eyes cracked open and he groaned as he tried to get up.

"Private, you're awake!" Kowalski exclaimed with relief. "How do you feel?"

"A little dizzy I guess." he said weakly, rubbing the back of his head. The young penguin looked tired and drained. "What happened?"

Kowalski began explaining. "When Skipper and Rico left to get me those items I asked for you've collapsed on the floor. Skipper told me you had a fever so you shouldn't move a lot until you get better. Is there anything you need?"

"Some water please." he asked politely. Kowalski nodded and walked over to fill a cup of water for his friend. Just then he heard sobbing coming from behind him. Kowalski looked back to Private and saw tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," said Private between his sobs.

Kowalski looked at him confused. "Private, why are you crying? You didn't do anything to be sorry for."

"Yes I have!" Private replied. "I've been troubling everyone since day one. I got in the way when Skipper left to save you guys and now you're stuck here with me when we're supposed to be out there saving everyone!" he stated and continued to cry. Kowalski gave him sympathetic look, understanding how he felt. He placed his flipper around his back and tried to comfort him.

"Look Private, it's not your fault that I'm here. None of us see you as a burden. Private, I am a scientist and I know how sickness works. Remember that time when Skipper got sick but he refused to sit back while we trained or the time when Rico caught a cold and kept sneezing stuff out of his mouth for three days?"

Private nodded. "Yeah, he caused more damage to our base than Blowhole could do."

"See? We all get sick and there's no need to be ashamed about it. I stayed here not because I'm forced to. It was my own choice to stay and watch over you. I know how much you want to help but you won't be able to do much like this. Once you feel better the four of us will go together next time. Okay?"

Private slowly smiled at him. "Okay!"

Kowalski smiled back at him and handed him his cup of water. Then he looked over to the PCD on the table. It's been two hours since they left so why haven't they called him yet? He didn't want to tell Private about this because he'll freak out.

"What's taking them so long?" he became worried.

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"Hello? Can anyone hear me?"

Marlene stiffed at the sound of that voice. "S-Skipper...is that you?" she asked in disbelieve through the small device.

"Of course it's me! Who else do you think?" His voice was calm and confident as always.

"Skipper, I'm so glad your back. I thought something bad happened to you guys. How did get in here anyway?" Marlene stated. She bit her lib to stop the tears in her eyes. She had longed to see him again.

"Rico showed me this secret tunnel that helped us enter the zoo, but I don't know where it came from actually."

Marlene raised a brow. "So you guys didn't make it?"

"No and I don't know who else would do something like that. Anyway, is everyone alright in there? Did they hurt you or something?" Skipper asked.

"Yeah, we're all here. They didn't do anything to us so far; they just locked us in here." Marlene explained. "I'm scared, Skipper."

"Well don't worry, Marlene. The boys and I are working on a plan to stop Hans and free all of you, but we'll need your help. I need you to update us on everything that's going on inside the zoo. If you found out anything call us as quick as possible, okay?"

Marlene grinned. "Of course! Leave it to me."

"Thanks, Marlene. I'll get you out of there. I promise." the leader said before he hung up. Marlene smiled as she looked down to the device in her hand. For the first time in days she felt safe.

"So what did he say?" Maurice asked. Marlene looked back and noticed the lemurs staring at her.

"He said he'll find a way to free us, but first we have to call them if something happened in the zoo." Marlene answered.

Julian's face lit up after hearing this. "Yes! I will finally be leaving this stinky place and go back to my kingdom."

"Isn't it too early to be excited about this, you're majesty?" His right-hand man pointed out. Julian shrugged.

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Skipper smiled down at his PCD before turning to Rico. "Let's go, Rico." he said. His teammate nodded and they made their way through the zoo without getting caught. When they reached Alice's office Skipper stopped when they heard someone talking in there.

"Have you found it yet?" Hans asked.

"Sorry, sir. We've searched everywhere in the penguin habitat and there's nothing in there." A lobster answered him. Skipper leaned closer to the wall as he listened to them.

"Skipper, Leave." Rico said as he pointed to the zoo shop where the secret tunnel was.

"Just wait a minute Rico. I wanna know what they're talking about." said Skipper and continued listening.

"I'm sure Skipper knows where it is. If only we could capture him and him tell us where-" before he could finish his sentence a loud shout was heard behind them.

"INTRUDERS!" Skipper jumped back in surprise and saw the lobster guard glaring at them. Immediately sirens went off and red lights flashing everywhere.

"Run!" Skipper and Rico turned around to escape but before they could a large net was dropped on them. They tried to get out but was late as twenty lobsters surrounded them.

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A/N: NOOOO! They were so close of getting out of there. Now Hans caught them too. What will Skipper and Rico do? : C

Aquade and Othmaine thanks for reviewing/following my story.

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