Disclaimers: I do not own The Penguins of Madagascar

Author's Notes: Another Chapter! Yes! Thank you all for the endless reviews and support please enjoy!

(Back with Skipper…)

He couldn't believe how stupid he had been…

He knew! His gut had warned him that Hans was bad news, Heck Classified had told him not to get too chummy with the guy! Still, Skipper had not listened and now Marshal was dead and the briefcase was in the front office of the Capitol.

Skipper could have strangled himself, and Classified sounded like he was ready to help him out.

"Dead what do you mean Marshal is dead." Skipper flinched at the wolf's words. He hadn't wanted to waste time reporting in, but things had gotten so bad he knew he needed Northwind's help. So rather than waste time stopping to call in he was racing across roof tops as he took the call, heading towards the capitol.

"Hans he doubled crossed me!" Skipper yelled into his comms as he kept moving. 'The UPF doubled crossed us!"

"Skipper the UPF are our allies." Classified assured him, talking in a hushed tone. "Besides they assured me that Hans has gone rogue. Threatening you and killing Marshal was never the plan, apparently Hans has a bad habit of switching side as he sees fit."

"But if the UPF isn't involved, if Hans betrayed me for another reason…" Skipper began.

"Then it looks like you were right, there is a third party involved." Classified confirmed.

"Got any leads?" Skipper asked.

Classified was currently looking at a computer when Skipper asked the question. The truth was an unknown user had hacked into Northwind's servers to retrieve the file that Eva had deleted earlier.

The unknown user had begun to reconstruct the deleted file right back onto their servers so that they (whoever they were) could pull it back off the server when it was done.

"No and yes." Classified answered.

"Well which one is it." Skipper asked. He could see the capitol now, just a few more blocks away. He would probably have to scale the building, it was after all the quickest way up unseen.

"It might be nothing, but someone is trying to retrieve the file we have on you and your team." Classified revealed.

Skipper froze just before he was about to make another jump to the next building ahead. This was it, what he had feared would happen was finally coming to past. By stepping out of the shadows and accepting a mission from a known agency Skipper had attracted the attention of a dangerous enemy.

And now he had a big decision to make.

"I can stop it now and we may never get another chance to find out who this villain is." Classified explained. "Or we can let the enemy think they've won, and use the window that they've already created to steal whatever we can on this unknown threat. But if we do that…"

He didn't need to finish, Skipper knew what was at stake. If he allowed the enemy to finish reconstructing that file then the most elusive team that Northwind had ever encountered would be exposed. Skipper and his brothers would be on someone's radar and worse there was no guarantee that Classified's team would get any useful information that could lead them to a culprit. Skipper could end up putting them at risk for nothing! Part of him want to say the heck with it all. He wanted to leave Denmark as fast as his legs could take him and run to his brothers; get them to safety as fast as he could. But Marshal's death was still fresh on his mind, he had promised his safety and Skipper had failed him. Marshal had taken a big risk trying to pull this off. He made his theft of Military information known in the hopes that someone would stop him. If Skipper ran now, if he didn't complete the mission then Marshal's death would be in vain; it would all be for nothing.

And Skipper couldn't, no wouldn't let a fellow soldier die like that.

"Do what you have to, the boys and I will manage." Skipper assured him. "We always do." He added as he continued on his journey towards the capitol.

Classified nodded and after giving Short Fuse the go ahead the explosives expert began to hack into the enemy's servers by using the very same window that the enemy was using to reconstruct the deleted file. Had the enemy not already been in their files Short Fuse would have needed Eva to do it for him. But seeing how she may be working for the enemy Classified had sent her on a fool's errand. It was just until they could clear her of being the mole something they had almost done until this unknown user came looking for the very file she had deleted.

If it was just that Classified would call it a coincidence, but ever since Skipper suggested a third party Classified started looking at the other agents in Northwind. If Marshal was being blackmailed then this unknown third party would want another, more loyal rogue agent within Northwind as well to keep an eye on him. This person would also most likely be the one who kidnapped Marshal so that the enemy could put nano bombs in his blood stream before forcing him to betray his fellow agents.

So Classified watched all the agents around him and the only one being suspicious in anyway was Eva. Upon searching her personal computer he discovered she had been receiving encrypted video chats from an unknown source. Video chats that were deleted from her computers call history moments after they ended. All the calls were short, and occurred on the 5th of every month at the same time without fail.

Almost like she was reporting in to someone. Classified also found notes on Marshal's activities days before he went rogue. Where the bunny went to get from home to work and back again; things of that nature. Yes, it was all very troubling indeed, but was Eva really the guilty party, or was someone trying to make her out to be? Classified had to be sure, because turning in Eva would destroy his team. They would all lose their status as field agents for sure, heck they might be kicked out of Northwind altogether!

No! He had to be sure! Until then he had no choice but to keep this quiet, even from Skipper.

"We'll see what we can find, you just focus on getting that briefcase!" Classified assured him.

"I'm not taking any chances." Skipper argued. "Relay a message to the boys for me, will you?"

Classified sighed but nodded. "What would you like me to say?"

"Tell Kowalski, Skipper says; It's time to go back to the start of it all." Skipper said vaguely.

"The start of what?" Classified asked.

"Sorry but that's classified, Classified." Skipper said as the sun began to rise on a new day. He had just reached the roof top of the building adjacent to the capitol building. Aiming the tip of the umbrella at the Capitol's roof he deployed the grappling hook which shot up into the air and snagged a windowsill.

It was nowhere near the top floor, but the window was opened and the cord of the grappling hook could go no further. He'd have to get the rest of the way up from the inside, if that was at all possible. Skipper wasn't sure just how far this conspiracy ran, sure Classified had said only Hans was to blame for the betrayal. But if that was true why not just trust the UPF to turn over the briefcase.

Simple, it was because Classified didn't trust them. Sure they claimed Hans was to blame, but they just might be covering their own butts. This could have been their plan all along, or they could be innocent. Either way Classified wasn't taking any chances.

"Get that case at all cost do you hear me Skipper." Classified ordered.

Skipper uttered just one word as he began his climb. "Understood."

(Back with Hans…)

The puffin cursed as the sun began to rose, for some reason HQ wasn't answering his calls. Skipper could already be there taking the case from right under their UPF's beaks for all they knew. He tried to call in again to no avail, finally he gave up and just decided to walk in and report his findings to Larsen.

With any luck Skipper will not have much of a head start.

He walks into the entrance of the UPF HQ which is directly below the Capitol building.

The receptionist, Malila is sitting in her usual spot at the front desk. Her eyes widen upon seeing Hans. She looks alarmed. "Agent…Hans." She stammers.

"I need to see Larsen." Hans says out of breath. He's too winded from his rush over to realize her distress.

"He's in a meeting." Malila manages to sound more at ease, but her eyes are still full of panic and rightfully so. If the American Agent sees Hans casually talking to them after they just blamed him for everything; he'll know the truth. He'll know they lied.

"Look it's very important!" Hans insisted.

"Well if you wait I can…" Malila began.

"No it can't wait, I know where the briefcase is." Hans insisted. "It's right above us in the Prime Minister's office. It's been there the whole time." Hans laughed at the irony of it all. "Isn't that funny."

"Why yes it is Agent." Larsen said from behind.

Hans turned to see Larsen pointing a gun…at him.

Larsen smiled, seeing the Puffin's usually smug face in total shock was a treat in itself. "Northwind will be so pleased to hear that we managed to apprehend the criminal who killed their beloved Agent Marshal. Too bad we never found the briefcase and the poor American spy perished before we could offer our aid."

"You…" Hans pointed at him accusingly. "You set me up."

"Indeed." Larsen admitted.

"After all I've done for you, for this agency." Hans was stunned. "Why?"

"You killed one of their own Hans, you went too far." Larsen reasoned.

"You told me to get rid of them!" Hans argued.

"Who do you think they're going to believe Hans?" Larsen asked as several humans in black suits started rushing in. The Danes! They were here, and they were here for Hans!

"They're the traitor!" One pointed at him and they charged.

Hans acted without thinking, jumping up he pulled down the grill to the ventilation shaft and army crawled through the dark tunnels. He had to get away, only vaguely remembering to head up towards the Capital building above. If he followed the shaft it would lead him to the Prime Minister's office. Retrieving that case before Skipper and the Danes was now his only salvation, if he succeeded he could make a deal with Northwind. He'll give them the case in exchange for his protection and a fair trial.

It wasn't much, but at least he would be safe from the Danes. With them he wouldn't get a trial, or mercy of any kind. There would be no Maximum prison waiting for him, no the Danes didn't take prisoners. To cross them meant you were welcoming your immediate demise!

With that thought on his mind he continued onward, his only hope was that he would make it in time.

(Back with Kowalski…)

His greatest fear had been realized, and yet he had not expected it.

"What do you mean the plan's gone south?" Kowalski snapped into his phone. At the moment he was taking a call from Agent Classified. The wolf had just told him that something has come up with their mission, but he wouldn't give any real details. "What's happened, where's Skipper!?"

Rico and Private looked towards him, hearing his words. Fear was evident in their eyes, Skipper was their rock; he was the one who kept them together. Without him…they were no one…nothing but three lost penguins. He was the one who gave them purpose, the one who took four orphaned penguins and gave them their missions, and more importantly, each other.

"I'm sorry, but I can't give out classified information to anyone, not even you." Classified argued.

Kowalski wanted to scream, to demand he tell him now before he made them regret it, but he knew Skipper wouldn't want that. So he did his best to stay calm and ask the most important question. "Just tell me he's okay. He is okay, isn't he?"

"Yes, he's alive…for now." He added as if that could change at any moment. Such news made Kowalski want to lose it all over again but Classified continued. "In fact he had a message for you."

"A message?" Kowalski asked. Orders! He realized, Skipper must be giving him orders. He straightened up ready to take the command. "What did he say?"

"He said, it's time to go back to the start of it all." Classified relayed the message. "Do you know what he meant?"

No, Kowalski had no idea what that meant. The start of what? The mission? Kowalski wracked his brain trying to remember if Skipper dropped him any clues about where he was going. Surely Skipper gave him this message as a secret order for him and their brothers to come to his aid. What else could it mean?

Private notices Kowalski's worried expression. "What is it?" He asked.

"Skipper wants us to go back to the start of it all?" Kowalski said out loud for his brother's sake but questioning Classified.

"Yes, is there a place you all planned to go?" Classified asked as Private and Rico got closer to the phone so they could hear too. "If things got bad was there a place you could hide that no one would think twice about?"

Private's eyes widen as he suddenly got it. "Kowalski, Skipper means the start of everything, before..."

Before what?" Kowalski asked out loud, wracking his brain.

Suddenly Alex the lion and his friends come into their tent. "Hey Penguins we're leaving tomorrow." Alex said looking around at their tent. "You haven't started packing? Guys we have to go. It's time to get back on the road."

"Man this place is a mess." Gloria began to lecture. "I thought you military guys were supposed to be spotless."

"Yeah what is this place? A zoo?" Marty agreed.

And that's when understanding filled him, Skipper wasn't talking about the start of this mission. He was talking about the start of it all! The start of everything, where were they at the start of this wild adventure.

"Kowalski are you still there?" Classified asked.

"Yes, and tell Skipper we got the message." Kowalski said giving Private a nod, letting him know he understood and as Private nodded back he added. "And we'll be there waiting for him."

"But where are you going?" Classified asked.

"Sorry but that's-"

"Classified yes of course." Classified finished for Kowalski. "Figures. I guess this is goodbye then." He actually laughed as he realized he was going to miss the little scoundrels. "You boys take care of yourselves."

"You too." Kowalski said. "And please tell Eva I said goodbye and...no hard feelings."

Classified nodded. "I will." He said curtly. However, he knew he never would, yes something in his gut told him so. And when the door opened to three Apes in white suits he knew his suspicions were confirmed.

"Internal affairs!" One Ape announced. "Drop the phone now!"

Shor Fuse and Corporal held up their hands submissively, but Classified didn't move.

"Classified?" Kowalski asked fearfully, he could hear the commotion on the other end of the phone.

"Where is she?" An Ape asked. "Where is Eva the Owl?"

"Eva?" Kowalski's fear is evident in his voice. "What happened, is she okay?"

"Oh she's more than okay." Classified said kicking himself. "I'm afraid she's probably long gone gentleman." He told the Apes still not bothering to hang up. "I'm sorry Kowalski, I'm sure she had her reasons…"

"Drop the phone now!" The first ape ordered again.

"Reasons?" Short Fuse yelled. "I can't believe she did this to us!" He didn't want to believe it, but if Eva was gone then it must be true. "She was the mole all along!" He yelled. "And now we're taking the fall!"

Kowalski's breath caught at his words. No Eva couldn't be a mole, she had promised Skipper's safety. "She promised…" He stammered.

"I know Kowalski." Classified told him, phone still in hand. "I'm sorry…"

"Drop it!" The First Ape was screaming now. "I won't tell you again."

The line goes dead as Classified finally hangs up, but Kowalski just holds the phone too stunned to move. "Eva..." How could she?

"Kowalski is something wrong?" Private asked.

"Yeah, yeah." Rico insisted with a grunt.

"I'm...Not sure." Kowalski admitted, his eyes narrowed as he finally hung up. "But I plan to find out..."

-To Be Continued