Chapter Seven
Skipper saw and felt what was going on before he heard the explosion. Enrique reacted faster than he could, and he had managed to get most of the penguins into the main corridor just as Skipper could see Aeon sliding out of the office. "It's happening," she cried as she slid. "Get out, now."
Rico and Kowalski were the first to leave, and Private and Skipper exchanged a long look before sliding out side-by-side. Aeon was right behind them as a fireball filled the room.
POM
Julien, Mort, and Maurice stared at the pillar of fire pushing its way out of the manhole in the center of the walkway. A few feet away, a second pillar of fire pushed its way out of a larger hole in the walkway, carrying with it a lot of penguins.
The penguins fell to the ground, and for the most part, they picked themselves up, brushed themselves off, and headed away from the pillars of fire, which were well on their way to calming down into pillars of smoke.
Skipper, Kowalski, and Rico were in the pick-themselves-up-and-brush-themselves-off camp, and as soon as Aeon could, so was she, but Private wasn't.
"Go with them," Skipper said to Aeon as he and his men walked over to Private. "Kowalski, analysis."
Kowalski scanned Private and checked his breathing and pulse. "He's alive, just unconscious," he finally said.
"Okay, good. Coulda been much worse. Let's take him inside."
POM
Private could feel himself returning to his body, and he could feel a cold slab under him, save the fact that his head rested on a nice, fluffy pillow. It felt nice.
He could hear a voice, and after a moment, it went from distant and muffled to close by and perfectly clear. "Wake up, Private," Skipper whispered. Private's eyes fluttered open, and sure enough, he was looking up at Skipper's face. His leader seemed upset but at the same time relieved that he was awake.
"Hello, Skippa," Private said.
"Thanks for defending my life."
"It was the least I could do. After all, I remember when I wanted someone to defend me. I just didn't want you to feel that way."
Skipper smiled and leaned forward, running his flipper along Private's forehead. Private allowed himself to relax, and he was absolutely certain he was going to fall asleep again, if it wasn't for the fact that Skipper still had a few things to say. "It's over now, Private. Don't worry," he said.
"What happens to the underground now?"
"I dunno, but I guess as long as Trey's out of the picture, we could be allies."
"Oh, alright. What is it about Trey, anyway?"
"It's no secret that he's lost his mind, but the rest is classified."
"Am I to assume that's code for 'you don't want to talk about it'?"
"Yes. You know I don't dwell on my past. I haven't for most of my life."
"I know, Skippa, but I was just curious."
"Curiosity could get you killed."
"It could also save us."
Skipper paused a moment. "Good point," he said. "Anyway, back to business as normal tomorrow. Make sure you get some shut-eye."
"Aye, aye, Skippa. I'll see you tomorrow."
"You can count on it, soldier." Skipper climbed up the ladder and climbed into his own bed, falling asleep instantly.
