Carmen Sandiego and the Stolen Golden Pineapple

The beginning of an epic adventure

Zack and Ivy sat on the sands of southern California, sunning themselves, enjoying the breeze and the blue sky, and generally making the most out of their day off. With the last batch of crooks they'd put away, they certainly deserved it. Now, nothing could ruin their vacation. Nothing, except a call from the Chief of Acme Detective Agency.

Naturally, they got one.

"Listen up, gumshoes," said their hyperactive boss. "I've got a real nut for you two to crack. A pineapple caper to end all pineapple capers. A case one pineapple short of a fruit salad."

"Spill it, Chief," said Ivy.

"Get lost, Chief," said Zack.

"Well, Carmen Sandiego is on the loose again," said the Chief, "and she's struck in Hawaii. I'll be sending you two there right away."

"Hey," said Zack, "that's not as bad as I thought it would be."

"If the C-5 actually lands us on target, anyway," said Ivy. "Anyway, Chief, what did she steal?"

"I was just getting to that," said the Chief. "This time, Carmen stole a rare, incredibly valuable statue of a gold pineapple."

"Tacky," said Zack.

"I just report what I hear," said the Chief. "Now, off with you. Go track her down. Maybe you'll even catch her this time." The Chief smirked and added almost inaudibly, "Fat chance there."

"Let's trade one beach for another," said Ivy. "Time to C-5 to Hawaii!"

"Excellent, my intrepid detectives," said the Chief as the two felt themselves zapped away to the scene of the crime. "Ah, Hawaii. Sun, surf, sand, and roast pig. Vacation spot of my dreams, you know. One of only two U.S. states not to share a border with any of the other states, Hawaii comprises nineteen islands and atolls extending over 1500 miles. Those islands were formed by—you guessed it—volcanoes! Yes, volcanoes, which form on the southern part of Hawaii as the tectonic plate beneath the Pacific Ocean moves to the northwest. The vent causing the volcanoes doesn't move, so that explains why only the volcanoes on the southern half are still active. Just like…"

"Chief, no!" shouted Ivy.

"Stupid C-5!" said Zack

"I thought you fixed this thing…" Ivy added as she plunged downward. Zack's final words were an unprintable curse aimed at the Chief.

"Just like… that one," said the Chief. "Oh, dear. I really do need to make the C-5 more accurate one of these days. After I get some new detectives anyway. Work, work, work…"

Game Over