5 – Mortality
Hey there, here is the re-uploaded version, well actually I just had to change the room description at the end. Enjoy!
Skipper's blood froze, partially due to his phobia and the other part due to the task he was asked to perform. ˝Yes it's quite a dilemma, isn't it? The humans don't seem to find it difficult putting down a sick animal, but when it comes to one of their own kind, they rather have him suffering.˝
The penguin slowly reached for the syringe. ˝There's one word that keeps on coming up in situations like this… UNETHICAL. But what are ethics other than more rules, one has to follow to be accepted in society.˝
Skipper lifted the object from its box. He grabbed it as far away from the part with the needle as he possibly could. His heartbeat slowed down. He could feel every single pump, like an explosion going off in his chest. His eyes ran over to the dying pigeon.
Frankie was laying on the floor in his own blood, shaking from the cold. ˝You aren't human Skipper. You're better than them.˝ The captain tightened his grip on the death-delivering instrument and he turned to the other bird.
˝Please Skipper *cough*, help me,˝ begged Frankie as his strength was leaving him. ˝Don't worry, I will,˝ the penguin kneeled down and inserted the needle into the pigeon's side. ˝Just fall asleep Frankie. It'll all be alright,˝ he emptied the syringe and then pulled it out.
He watched as the pigeon's eyelids slowly closed. A particular memory came back to his mind, there was only one place where he had lied like now. Giving false hope as a friend was dying in his flippers.
FLASHBACK
Ecuador, several years before finally arriving at Central park zoo, he was a young cadet on a mission, and things didn't quite go as planned. Together with Manfredi and Johnson, they were supposed to investigate an illegal genetic mutations lab.
But let's skip the story and get to the important part, he was hiding in some bushes, forced to watch as his team mates were being mutilated by flock of flying piranhas. He tried to avert his eyes, but he was frozen from fear.
The outcome was already predetermined, what were two penguins against hundreds of flesh-devouring fish. As soon as one of them let down his guard for even a second, a chunk of flesh was torn away from his body. Unarmed, Skipper cursed himself, being unable to help.
The two fighting birds eventually collapsed and that's when the flock retreated. Skipper raced over to them. It was already too late for Manfredi, but Johnson was still conscious, ˝Hold on man, everything's going to be alright. You'll pull through,˝ Skipper was lying through his beak, but he thought it was better than the cold hard truth.
Johnson formed the best smile he could, being half dead, ˝We both know that's not true *cough*. Memento Mori, Skipper, remember your own mortality. I've never forgoten that phrase, but it almost looks like destiny gave me a reminder.˝
˝How can you joke in a time like this?˝
˝Easy, you just say something funny. That's how.˝ Skipper watched as Johnson's eyelids slowly closed and his body went cold in his flippers.
END OF FLASHBACK
˝It's Ecuador all over again,˝ muttered Skipper to himself. ˝Wise decision. Sometimes mercy can be sign of strength.˝ The penguin shot a glare at the tape-recorder, he raced over and began screaming into it, ˝IT'S OVER! YOU HEAR ME? I'M NOT PLAYING YOUR SICK GAMES ANYMORE!˝ he was breathing hard from the adrenaline that was running in his veins right now.
˝Sorry for the misunderstanding, but it's not really your choice.˝
˝Oh yes it is. I just won't go anywhere. And if you've got a problem with that, come here and make me.˝
˝I don't have to go anywhere,˝ Skipper heard a TV turn on and he searched for the source of the sound. He spotted a small television standing on a wooden crate and waddled over to it. The picture was a black and white security footage. The penguin's eyes widened and his blood froze, ˝Kowalski… Rico… Private,˝ he muttered to himself.
˝Exactly, your team, let them serve as your motivation. And before you continue, take this blasted thing with you, I'm not exactly running material.˝ There was a click and the recorder turned off. A light in the corner turned on, illuminating another door. Skipper slowly stood up and with no sign of enthusiasm whatsoever, he picked up the communication device and proceeded towards the exit.
He wasn't really sure, what he was feeling right now. It was a mixture of anger and depression. Both were strong emotions that, somehow, cancelled each other out. While walking down this next corridor, he was thinking about his team. By what he saw, they were unconscious, lying on the floor in a cage. ˝Well if Rico has his weapons, then they'll be out in no time.˝
˝Do you think I'm stupid? Of course I've emptied the psychopath's stomach.˝
˝Why are you still here?˝
˝I'm not still here, I'm here already. You were out of range up until a few seconds ago.˝
Skipper let out a growl, but then noticed a door coming up, with yet another bloody insignia, ˝MEMENTO MORI.˝ The penguin dropped the tape-recorder. 'Is this a coincidence? Is it Johnson? Is he the one who brought me here? No, he was my friend and a great guy,' all sorts of questions came to Skipper's mind, but he shook them all off and entered the room.
This room was… badly lit. Skipper did his best and quickly scanned his environment, '10 by 10 meter room, a table in the center, somebody's on it, but I'm not quite sure who it is. There's a strange contraption next to the door I came through, probably part of the test. But other than that, the place is pretty much empty'.
˝Welcome to your next test. I am certain you are familiar with the marsupial on the table.˝ An operating light came on, but Skipper already knew who it was, he didn't know that many Australians. ˝Joey, has always lived a life of violence, picking fights with everyone who crossed his path, but now, HIS LIFE, lays in your flippers.˝
After Joey, who should be next, Archie or Barry? Hope you liked it, review!