4 – The Three Trials
It was morning and the lead penguin was just starting to wake up 'How did I get home last night, I must have been so sleepy I can't remember'. Still not opening his eyes he inhaled the aroma that was surrounding him. 'Vanilla, cranberry,and a hint of pine,' he analised. ' I must have gone back to Marlene's place after taking care of Ringtail', he then cuddled back into his pillow, hoping that Marlene would fill him in when he wakes up.
˝Skippah, Are you finally awake?˝ The lead penguin was suprised when he heard his team mates voice. He groaned: ˝Private, what are you doing in Marlene's habitat?˝ The chubby penguin was confused: ˝But Skippah, you're in your bunk, and it's almost opening time.˝ The leaders eyes shot open and things then became clearer. He saw the pink walls of the HQ and burned out aroma candles. Their habitat was still in the state that Lorelei had transformed it to.
He shiwered at the sight he was showered with. ˝We'll have to take care of that,˝ the leader then sighed and streched, ˝No time for coffee, we have to give the people what they came for,˝ both then left the HQ and joined the rest of the team on top. Rico had painted his bandages so as to not raise suspicion. They then all proceeded with their »cute and cuddly« routine.
A few hours after closing time, the penguins were just finishing repainting the walls inside the ice floe. ˝There, good as new. How are you guys holding up,˝ asked the leader. The remaining penguins all just made a last stroke with their paintbrushes: ˝Done!˝ Skipper smiled at the work his team had just finished. ˝Great job men. Which means…˝he began, while the rest of his team was waiting for what he was about to say next, ˝…snowcones!˝
˝Oh yes! – Yay!˝ they cheered, while exchanging high fives. Private and Rico then left the HQ leaving only Kowalski and Skipper behind. ˝What is it lieutenant?˝ Kowalski sighed and began: ˝Skipper, I overheard you offering Alexander a spot on the team yesterday.˝ Skipper was shocked at the tone he was talking in: ˝Yes, I did. He showed his skills saving Rico and he has past experiences which would make him an asset.˝
˝I know, but…˝
˝But what?˝
˝He officially still is under military arrest.˝
˝Yes I know, but as long as this doesn't leak, we're in the clear.˝
˝That may be, but do you remember the reasons behind him being under arrest?˝
Skipper's eyes widened, finally knowing where Kowalski was going with the conversation. ˝Listen, my gut tells me we can trust this guy. Are you dubting my gut again soldier?˝ Not wanting to get into an argument with his leader, the smart penguin simply backed away: ˝No sir, but we might want to check the court records on his case.˝ The lead penguin sighed: ˝Fine, what ever makes you happy, but I'm telling you. He doesn't seem like the hostage killing type.˝ Kowalski saluted and joined the rest of the team outside, soon followed by Skipper. They all then went to the park for their well deserved reward, just like Skipper promised.
At the water monitor exhibit, Alexander was tinkering with the wiring in his habitat: ˝There, now I can open the glass from the inside. Now back to business,˝ he said to himself after finishing the job. 'Joining a team,…, didn't think I'd ever get another chance like that', he thought while he walked over to his bag on the other side of the habitat and pulled out a microscope. 'Why am I hesitating, I miss the old times, but I don't want these guys to share the same fate as my old team', he clenched his teeth remembering the trial he was put through. The monitor sighed: ˝It really doesn't matter how much I think about it, because in my subconscious, my mind is already made up.˝
The next morning before visiting hours, the doors of the reptile house slowly opened and out came the lizard, walking on all fours, he was making his way over to the penguin habitat. Orders could be heard as the birds were doing their morning training: ˝And kick! Punch! Chop! Mulch! Duck! Spin! Back-flip! Twirl! Bob and weave! Weave and bob. Plié! Punch! Kick!˝ Skipper stopped when he saw the water monitor heading in their direction. ˝I didn't mean to interrupt you, but it seems that you still haven't fulfilled your part of the agreement and I don't think that my former patient should already be training.˝
˝Don't worry about Rico, he can't be taken down that easily,˝ reasured Skipper, ˝but I'm sure, that's not why you came over, is it?˝ Alexander formed an evil smile: ˝You're quite the detective. No, it isn't, i came over to accept your offer.˝ Rico and private looked confused: ˝Skippah, what is he talking about?˝ The lead penguin turned to face his team mates: ˝Men, approximately 36 hours ago we almost lost a friend, but he was saved. I do not want situations like that in the future, that is why I am recruting Alexander as our combat medic.˝ Private's and Rico's eyes widened.
Skipper and Alexander both waited for the negative responses from the team, but recieved a pleasant suprise instead. ˝Wow that's great!˝ cheered the the chubby penguin, ˝it's always great to make new friends.˝ The lizards eyes widened: ˝Wow, thanks, I don't know what to say,… except that I believe we haven't been formally introduced yet.˝ Private didn't hesitate and introduced his team mates. ˝Quite a bunch you have here captain.˝ Skipper turned to Alexander: ˝Not so fast there soldier! You still aren't a part of the team,˝ the monitor glared at penguin, ˝return to your quarters for now and report back at 1900 hours after the zoo closes.˝ The lizard just gave him a nod and headed back to the reptile house.
˝Oh, and one more thing,˝ called Skipper. Alexander turned around. ˝Rico, GPS collar!˝ Rico hacked up the requested item and gave it to Skipper who secured it around the lizards neck. ˝There, a deal's a deal.˝ The lizard gave another nod and went back to his habitat.
˝I can't wait for him to join the team,˝ said the smallest penguin as soon as they lost sight of Alexander. ˝Easy there Private, he still has to pass a few tests.˝ Kowalski then took a step forward: ˝What excactly do you have in mind?˝ Skipper just smiled: ˝Just a couple of training exercises, to see if this guy can keep up,˝ he then lost his smile and turned to the team, ˝Now, we still have 15 minutes before the zoo opens. From the top…˝ The remaining penguins just groaned.
˝Hey guys,˝ greeted Marlene after jumping the fence surrounding th penguin habitat. ˝Sweet smoked salmon! Is it really too much to ask for a nice peaceful training routine?˝ the others didn't seem to mind Skipper's complaining they just continued greeting the otter. ˝Nice to see you all up and well. Oh, by the way, was that the surgeon just now?˝ Before Skipper could answer, Private already jumped in: ˝Yes it was, his name's Alexandah, and Skippah's letting him join the team.˝
Marlene looked at Skipper grining. ˝What?˝ asked Skipper. ˝What happened to your paranoya, you finally decided to take my advice and make friends?˝ Skipper glared at the otter. ˝For your information, we are adding him to the team, because he may prove to be an asset.˝ Marlene just rolled her eyes: ˝Right… Anyway, Skipper could you come over to my habitat later, I need help moving some furniture.˝ Skipper noticed her sheepish smile, but decided to ignore it: ˝No can do, we'll be testing Alexander later on.˝
Marlene looked disapointed: ˝Oh, sorry I bothered you then. See ya!˝ The penguins watched as their friend left. ˝Now, back to training!˝ ordered Skipper but was interupted by the loud gong of the bell, ˝Shiitake mushrooms! Looks like there's no time.˝ The other penguins sighed in relief. ˝We'll just have make up for todays training tomorrow,˝ groaning could then be heard all the way to the otter habitat.
˝What was that?˝ asked Marlene. ˝Beats me, but it sounded like a dog giving birth to a horse,˝ answered Sienna comming out of the cave. ˝So, how did it go?˝ she asked. ˝It didn't work, I barely managed to build up the courage to ask, but he's just to bussy with his team.˝ The wildcat crossed her arms: ˝Now that just won't do, we need to get him alone with you,˝ she then grinned, ˝lucky for you, I have a man on the inside. We'll talk later, I've gotta go, the zoo's already open, bye.˝ Marlene watched as her friend left her habitat and then looked over to the penguin habitat and sighed.
Later that day, almost one hour after the zoo had closed, four penguins were standing on the ice floe. ˝He's still nowhere in sight, if he was to come out of the reptile house now, he would have to travell at a speed of at least half a meter per second,˝ said Kowalski. ˝Maybe his watch is set differently,˝ tried Private. ˝No deal, how is a team supose to work if everyone's watch shows a different time. Kowalski how long until the rondevu?˝ The smart penguin turned around to look at the clock tower: ˝10 seconds and counting down, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3,…˝
Just then, the fishbowl flew in the air and out came Alexander: ˝Sorry about your fishbowl, I tried finding my way around the sewers, and then I saw these rats, and I got hungry, and you know how thing go then, anyways, am I late?˝ The penguins just stared, trying to process what the lizard had just said. ˝No, you're just in time,˝ said Private, ˝although, I'm not really sure what for. Skippah?˝ The lead penguin made step forward: ˝You will be put through 3 tests, I personally only wanted 2, but 3 has a nicer ring to it. Now, are you ready?˝
The lizard cracked his neck: ˝As ready as I'll ever be.˝ The lead penguin smiled: ˝That's the spirit. First test: A hand to hand combat exercise. Pick a sparring partner, who ever forces his opponent into submission first, wins.˝ An evil grin appeared across his face: ˝Picking a partner. Hmmm, I'd like to fight Rico, but given the condition he's in, I doubt, it would be fair. I don't want to hurt Private and as for you, captain, I'm you have some other challenge where I'll get to fight you. That leaves,…. The only penguin with a height advantage over me.˝
The smart penguin gulped as he heard his decision, but was reassured by his leader: ˝Come on Kowalski, there's nothing to be afraid of. It's like he said, you're the one with the height advantage.˝ Kowalski formed a serious look: ˝You're right Skipper, hold this and stand back,˝ he said and gave Skipper his clipboard. ˝That's the spirit. Rico! Private! Get behind the fence, let's give these guys some room,˝ he then followed his team mates across the moat.
˝This is gonna be fun,˝ said the lizard while cracking his knuckles. ˝Recreating the Geiger-Marsden experiment is fun. This, is strictly business,˝ responded the penguin going into his fighting stance. ˝Before you start, here are some ground rules. No weapons, claws, or teeth.˝ Alexander lost his grin when he heard this: ˝What about poison, because I have a rather nasty saliva.˝ Skipper rolled his eyes: ˝Well yes, I believe we can put that under weapons. Now, are you two ready?˝ they both gave a nod, ˝Good. First shake eachother's flipper slash hand.˝ They did as instructed. ˝Good. Now, begin.˝
Kowalski didn't hesitate making the first move, but Alexander didn't bother dodging it. The lizard got hit with a roundhouse kick directly to the head. This made him take a step back, but it didn't bring him down. He gave the penguin a mocking smirk. Kowalski wanted to analise his behavior to predict his next move, but quickly rid his mind of those thoughts and let his instinct take over. He threw couple more punches, hitting the monitor's stomach twice and his head once.
Private was covering his eyes at sight of the masacre while Rico just continued eating his bag of popcorn. Skipper watched unimpressed: ˝I think this isn't going anywhere. Kowalski mind finishing this up.˝ The chubby punguin frowned as he heard his leader, but the liuetenant just gave him a nod.
Kowalski threw another punch at the lizard's stomach and then went behind his back. He twisted Alexander's right arm behind his back and kicked the back of his left knee. This forced the lizard into a half kneeling position, bracing himself with his left arm in order not to fall to the ground.
˝I thing we're done here, now if you were to admit that I've bested you, we can go back to work,˝ said Kowalski in a confident tone. ˝Are you finally done? I guess it's my turn now.˝ The smart penguin raised an eyebrow: ˝What! No, it's not your turn, you've lost. I mean the only way you could get out of this position is by breaking you own arm.˝ En evil smile formed on the lizard's face: ˝Nah, I don't I have to go to that extreme.˝
He the pushed himself of the ground a little with his left hand and punched his right arm socket, dislocating his arm in the process. All the penguins gasped as they saw what Alexander had just done. He then turned around and was now facing Kowalski, with his right arm in a freakish position. ˝What's the matter, cat got your tounge?˝ he asked, mocking the penguin, before puching him in the head with his left hand.
Kowalski was sent flying across the floe, while the monitor pushed his right arm back into the shoulder blade. The lizard then made his way over to the penguin, who was just trying to get up, and quickly got him into a paintbrush keylock. ˝I believe that makes me the winner,˝ he said with the same tone as Kowalski before.
Skipper was impressed: ˝Nice job, but I expect a more serious attitude from you on a mission.˝ The lizard just saluted in response. ˝Very well. Looks like we can check off the first test, now on to the second. This one shouldn't be too hard, all you have to do is swim 100 laps around the ice floe (let's say it's about 500m), in less than six minutes.
Alexander laughed in response: ˝What? Is that all?˝ Skipper responded with a smile: ˝Yes, that's all. Oh, and just so you know, I've already started the timer.˝ The lizard's eyes widened as he heard this and jumped head first into the water. There he quickly pulled his limbs to his body and started swimming, by moving his tail back and forth, trying to make up for the lost time.
The penguins kept a close eye on the stop watch as well as the monitor (pun). ˝Halfway through, with 3 minutes 47 to spare, looks like he's going to make it Skipper,˝ said Kowalski. ˝His time might look good now, but what you're forgeting is that the water's cold and we have a cold blooded friend in it.˝ Kowalski's eyes then turned to hopeful ones.
But fortunately Skipper was wrong. Alexander finished the laps in just under 5 minutes. ˝How'd I do?˝ Rico, who was holding the stopwatch turned it towards the lizard, ˝Not my best time, but I guess it's okay.˝
˝Nice work, looks like you've finished the second test too,˝ began Skipper, ˝officially I'm already considering you a part of the team, this last one is more of a game, but we could make it more interesting.˝ Alexander crossed his arms and continued listening to the penguin. ˝We will play a little game called Capture the flag. We will each choose a partner and then see which one of us gets to the flag first.˝
˝What do I geti f I win?˝ asked the lizard. Skipper just smiled: ˝How about I remove the GPS collar if you win?˝ Alexander thought for a minute: ˝This thing is chafing me, I guess that'll do. But what do you want?˝
˝You'll be on recon for a week.˝
˝Deal,˝ they both shook hand/flipper.
˝As the challenger, I'm giving you first pick.˝ Alexander looked at Kowalski and Private: ˝Are my choices limited to these two, or can I choose anyone at the zoo?˝ Skipper raised an eyebrow: ˝You can take anyone you like, but any decision you make will be final and just so you know, nobody else here has military training.˝
˝No matter. Hey Private.˝
˝Yes, what is it?˝
˝I see you have some lemurs as neighbours, can you give any names?˝
˝There's only three of them actually, Julien, Maurice and Mort.˝
Alexander's eyes widened as he heard the last name. ˝Did you just say Mort, the Mort? I can't believe he's here, I choose him, there's no way I can lose with him on the team.˝ Skipper slapped his forehead. ˝Um, Alexandah? We might not be thinking about the same Mort here.˝
˝Nonsense, I'm talking about Mort, you know,… Lemur, french assassin and thief.˝ Skipper jumped in: ˝Private! Like I said before, all decisions are final. Oh, and you're with me,˝ Private wanted to start thanking his leader, but Skipper didn't let him, ˝Go fetch Mort and bring him here. Kowalski, take Rico and set up the flag where it normally hangs.˝
A few minutes later, Skipper just finished explaining the rules of the game when Private came with Mort. ˝Who's the kid?˝ asked Alexander. ˝That would be your partner,˝ responded Skipper with a smirk on his face. ˝No, Mort is a Silvery Galago. That is a Mouse lemur.˝ The tiny lemur then jumped and hugged his tail. ˝I like partners,˝ said Mort in his signature squeaky voice.
˝I change my mind,˝ screamed the lizard, ˝I take the aligator over there.˝ ˝I told you, all decisions are final, and besides, I think you're better off with Mort than Roger.˝ Alexander sighed: ˝Fine, let's get this torture over with.˝
The two teams took their places on opposite sides of the zoo. Soon the zoo bell rang, signaling the start of the game. ˝Hold on tight Mort!˝ ordered the lizard wrapping the lemur with his tail and then running into the Zoovenier shop. ˝Listen carefully, this is what I want you to do…˝
Meanwhile, on the other side of the zoo, the two penguins were on top of a street lamp. ˝Do you see them Private?˝ The small penguin took another look with his binoculars: ˝Sorry Skippah, but they're nowhere to be see, Wait! There he is! He's running towards the flag with Mort on his tail, literally.˝
˝No time to lose soldier, we have to intercept him.˝ They the both jumped down of the lamp and started sliding towards their goal. They stopped as soon as the flag came into view. ˝Looks like we got here first, should I get the flag Skippah?˝ The lead penguin rubbed his bottom beak: ˝No, somethings wrong. My paranoya's never left down.˝
Just then, Skipper was rammed from right by the lizard, which sent him flying a few meters. Alexander then sweeped Private's feet with his tail, which was still holding Mort. ˝I knew I'd get a chance to fight you Skipper,˝ challenged the lizard. The captain stood up and dusted himself off. ˝Private, I want you to stand back and watch, maybe you'll learn a thing or two.˝ Private did as ordered. He was joined by Rico and Kowalski, who brought popcorn.
This time it was the lizard who made the first move. Alexander threw one punch after another, he relied mostly on brute force, so his punches didn't have much technique behind them. He was fast, but the penguin managed the dodge most of the strikes and only needed to block two. ˝Are you tired already?˝ taunted Skipper. Alexander grinned: ˝I'm still in first gear, so don't worry, you'll get your workout.˝
They both charged towards monitor released Mort from his tail and then they gave everything they had. Skipper was landing most of the hits. Alexander, who was now also using his tail, managed to get a few blows at the penguin. The remaining penguins stopped eating, they just watched their leader in action.
Soon Skipper got the upper flipper and got behind the monitor. There quickly put him in a full nelson and also stepped on the lizard's tail, just to be safe. ˝I believe the winner here is obvious,˝ said Skipper. Alexander just laughed. ˝What's so funny?˝
˝Come now Skipper. Have you forgoten what game we were playing?˝ All of the penguins eyes widened. ˝Where's Mort?˝ asked the leader. Private ran over to where Alexander had dropped Mort. ˝Skippah, it's just a doll from the Zoovenier shop!˝ The lead penguin let go of the lizard and quickly ran back to where the flag was.
˝I like flags.˝ Was what they heard when a flagless pole came into view. Skipper's bottom beak dropped. ˝I agree with you Skipper. The winner here IS obvious,˝ said the lizard while walking towards the penguin.
Skipper sighed: ˝If I'm anything, I'm a good sport,˝ he said holding out a flipper. The lizard shook it, and afterwards the lead penguin turned and started walking back towards his habitat. Leaving four team mates behind. ˝Aren't you forgeting something?˝ asked the monitor. ˝Right. Rico!˝ Rico threw up his chainsaw and cut of the GPS collar. ˝What about me joining your team?˝ continued the lizard watching the penguin leave. ˝What about it? Training starts at 0700 hours, ˝It's the same for you, as it is for the rest of my crew.˝ Alexander stood up and saluted: ˝Aye, aye, captain!˝
The scent Skipper was smelling, I got from season 6 episode 5 of Scrubs, and the routine they were doing during morning training, I got from the second episode (Launctime).
R&R