Oliver and Paula were enjoying dinner at Oliver's house, a modern yet modest home many miles away from the confusion and crime of St. Canard. "I don't think that Todd was out shopping today," Paula said as she finished off a glass of wine.
"As long as that turtle is alive and well, I really don't care where he's been," Oliver said.
"I suppose you're right," said Paula.
"I think perhaps you should give that Launch Pad fellow a visit and make amends with him," Oliver then said. There was a long silence before Paula responded.
"You're right," she said. "What I did to him was so... heartless... Using him like that..." She began to cry.
"There, there, love," Oliver said. "We've all made mistakes."
"This is almost as bad as the time I used Todd to get to you." She continued crying.
"Don't bring that up again," Oliver said. "Todd didn't seem to mind anyway. He was just happy to spend a little time with someone as lovely as yourself."
"I'll go to Launchpad tomorrow, but I doubt he'll ever forgive me," Paula said, wiping tears away.
"OK," Oliver said, standing up. "Now let's head into my room and have a little fun before I have to go to work."
"OK," said Paula. The two of them then headed toward his bedroom.
Todd awoke bright and early the next morning in order to prepare for his new life of adventure. The young turtle could hardly contain himself as he put on his glasses and then dressed. The shy, nerdy oddball everyone picked on in school was about to become an international secret agent, hopefully with all the fame and prestige that went along with the job. After getting dressed, he shined up his shell and then sharpened his bird-like beak in case he would have to use it on any enemies.
He then stepped outside to await someone from the SHUSH organization to pick him up, as he had been given no contact information the previous night. Sure enough, the familiar black van would appear with Agent Wilkins at the wheel. Todd got in and they drove off for SHUSH headquarters.
Binkie Muddlefoot sat at the kitchen table quietly gazing out the window at the suburban landscape outside.
"Is something on your mind, dear?" her husband herb asked as he made his way into the kitchen and took his usual spot at the table.
"I'm worried about Todd," she said. "Some people were here yesterday wondering if I'd seen him lately. I wonder if he's in some kind of trouble..."
"He's a turtle, Binkie," said Herb. "If anyone threatens him, he could pull into his shell. You're wastin' too much time always worryin' about that nobody."
"He's not a nobody, Herb," she said. "He's a sweet charming young man, and he seems to be all alone in the world. I'm just trying to be neighborly."
"Well bein' neighborly is fine," Herb said. "But you seem obsessed with this fellow." He looks to the clock. "Better be runnin'. Don't want to be late for work again." He gets up. "Bye, hon." He kisses her and then leaves.
"Bye."
Agent Grizzlikof had entered the office of his superior J. Gander Hooter. He was none too happy about the newest strategy of the agency of bringing in untrained college kids and turning them into secret agents. After all, that crazy duck was enough to deal with.
"Why, Agent Grizzlikof," said Hooter upon spotting him. "Good to see you this morning."
"Yes," the bear said. "We must talk."
"This is about our recent youth movement, isn't it?" Hooter asked.
"Yes," he responded. "I have big problems with sending untested kids in to battle the FOWL."
"I don't think you should worry," Hooter said. "Our new recruits have proven themselves before we've decided to add them."
"If you say so," the bear said. "You're the boss. But did you have to pick a turtle? Turtle is so slow."
"Don't worry about his speed issues," Hooter said. "Our research department has taken care of that."
Just then, Todd entered the office accompanied by Agent Wilkins.
"Good morning, Agent Greenley," J. Gander said to the turtle. "Are you ready for your mission?"
"Yes sir," Todd responded enthusiastically.
"This is Agent Vladimir Grizzlikof," Hooter said motioning toward the bear. "He is the chief officer of SHUSH. You will answer to him at all times."
"I'm Todd," the turtle said, shaking Grizzlikof's paw. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," the bear said. "I hear your shell it's pretty tough."
"Yes, sir," Todd said, tapping upon his chest.
"And now to meet your partner for this mission," J. Gander said, picking up the phone. "You can send in agent Bennett now." He hung up the phone.
Soon after that, a lovely young female raccoon entered the office. She was dressed in a pair of tight-fitting blue jeans, black sneakers, a black jacket and a pink t-shirt beneath it. She had beautiful bright blue eyes. Her bushy black and gray striped tail swayed gently behind her as she approached Todd.
"You must be Todd," she said.
"Yes."
"This is Agent Rebecca Bennett," Hooter said. "She'll be working with you on this mission."
"Nice to meet ya, Todd," she said shaking his hand. "You're quite a handsome one."
"Gosh," he said, blushing and slightly dipping his head into his shell. "You mean it?"
"Yep."
"No one's ever told me that before," said Todd.
"You two flirt all you want later," said Agent Grizlikof. "We have important mission."
"Sorry, sir," the turtle said.
"We have learned that FOWL has constructed a death ray that is capable of destroying any city on earth," announced Hooter. "It is missing one key component, however."
Todd and Rebecca listened intently.
"The Destructo-Chip 9000 is the power source for this ray," he continued. "It is located at a laboratory in Germany. FOWL is planning on sending their chief agent Steelbeak in to get it. We need you to head to this lab and recover it before he does."
"But I though Steelbeak was in jail and smashed," Todd said.
"Unfortunately, he has been broken out of jail by FOWL operatives and has had his dangerous beak rebuilt by their scientists," said J. Gander.
"Oh. All my heroics for nothing..."
"Don't worry, honey," said Rebecca. "You'll have another chance to save the day."
"Now entering this lab will be no piece of cake," Grizlikoff said. "Lab features deadly state of the art security system. But you two with all your high-tech knowledge will hopefully have no problem penetrating it."
"Todd," said Hooter. "Our research team has developed a new device to help you in your mission." He takes out a small black electronic device and hands it to Todd.
He examines it carefully. "What does it do?"
"It is an Automatic Speed Enhancer," Hooter said. "It should help you overcome your traditional turtle slowness. Just strap it to your belt and press that red button when you need to run. But be warned, it hasn't been fully tested yet."
"OK, sir," Todd said.
"All right you two," Hooter said. "You have your assignment. Agent Grizlikoff will take you down the hall and you will be issued guns and badges. You will then be taken to the airport and flown off on board one of our private planes. Good luck. The future of the entire free world is depending on you."
"Don't worry, sir," Todd said. "We won't let you down."
"He's right," said Rebecca.
"Come along, you two," Grizzlikof said. They followed him out of the office to begin their adventure and hopefully succeed in the very important and dangerous task they've been assigned.