Maintaining a tense posture Kowalski subtly scrutinised Rico. They were waiting for Skipper to begin the day's training but Kowalski found he couldn't keep his attention off the other bird. He'd thought he had trouble before… but after yesterdays revelation… he wondered why Rico held such a fascination for him.

He could not be described by anyone as handsome. At least not in the traditional sense. His feathers were not smooth, his figure was solid at best, he couldn't talk, had an obsessive interest in explosives and of course there was that scar.

Kowalski reconsidered this. In truth he couldn't count the scar because he knew the tragic circumstances surrounding it. If anything it showed the vulnerability of the otherwise tough bird. And the interest in explosives was surely matched by Kowalski's own obsession with facts and plans. Skipper probably complained more often about him and his notebook than Rico with his dynamite.

And what of talking? One of the reasons Kowalski enjoyed being with Rico was because there was no necessity to talk. And the solid build projected a sense of reliability and strength.

As to the scruffy feathers… in their own way they were appealing…

Kowalski suddenly realised his own thoughts and shook himself to try and clear his head. Rico noticed the movement and looked at him in concern. Skipper chose that moment to call them back to attention.

"I think we should try an exercise in honesty," he seemed unusually hesitant. "I'll go first. Private. Ask me anything."

"Er… OK. Why can't you go to Denmark?" Skipper opened his beak automatically to reply that it was classified before remembering the exercise.

"I… left a girl there. Kowalski! Ask Private something."

"Um… do you really know nothing about my missing candy?" Private gulped.

"N-no." Skipper shook his head and turned to Rico.

"Why were you and Kowalski so late yesterday?" Rico shrugged. Skipper slapped his head. "This is impossible! What kind of team are we when we don't even trust each other? All of us lied!" He pointed to Private. "I know you took that candy and I know why you two were late!"

"You do?" Kowalski swallowed.

"I'd have hoped you'd have the decency to talk to me."

"That's not fair," Private interrupted. "Everyone knows my secret now. You know theirs but nobody knows yours."

"Yes," Kowalski agreed, feeling unusually aggrieved by developments. "A girl?" he asked scathingly.

"Hey! At least in my case it's possible!" Kowalski was momentarily shocked.

"It's also possible you killed a zoo keeper and ate their liver!" he retorted. "You could've been an assassin!" Skipper's eyes narrowed.

"Well at least I understand now why you're the weaker member of this team." Rico growled and made to move towards Skipper. Kowalski gently held him back and said quietly,

"That's a low blow Skipper."

"Well that's tough, soldier." Skipper crossed his flippers defensively. "As your commanding officer I can say what I please."

"But I don't have to listen to it." He stood up. "I quit!" He turned and headed away.

"You can't quit!"

"Watch me!" he shouted back. Rico stormed over to Skipper who for once looked nervous. The manic penguin snapped at him, making the leader flinch, before he turned to follow Kowalski.

The sound of the entry hatch falling shut behind them echoed loudly in the HQ.

"Is this because I took his candy?" Private asked nervously.

"No," Skipper deflated. "It's because your leader's a mean, spiteful coward."