Learning Curve

Chapter 2

"You'd think they'd let us know if they were behind schedule," Eva commented reviewing the file on her tablet, giving her an overview of the Penguins and their areas of expertise. She paused on the headshot of Kowalski and remembered the last time they had crossed paths. A small part of her looked forward to seeing him again.

"I say we bail and just finish the mission ourselves." Short Fuse groused as he checked his watch for the third time.

"Normally, I would agree with you, but their input on our target could prove to be useful." More than useful really, but Classified wasn't about to admit it. They were out of their depths on the mission without them because even though The Penguins methods were primitive, messy, and convoluted they did get results.

"Whoa, careful there Classified, it almost sounded like you were admitting to needing us. Also, I hope you don't mind that we showed ourselves in."

Classified startled at the familiar voice and looked up to see Skipper and his men standing entering the rec area with bags over their shoulders. They looked out of place in their black and white uniforms and it tortured him to no end that a group that dressed so obviously could sneak up on them without any notice. Even more so that they had arrived without giving any prior notice to their arrival. Although he supposed that they would have the passkey to enter the property anyway. "You're late."

"Fashionably so."

For a moment Classified faltered, unsure of how to respond to the brash leader, "Yes, well, I do hope that you consider choosing professionalism over 'fashion' for the remainder of the mission."

"I'm so glad you could make it." Without warning the Penguins were swept up into an embrace by the largest member of North Wind. The distressed look on the four men's faces made Classified chuckle, he didn't understand why Corporal had taken such a shine to the team and was certain he never would.

"If I may interrupt, it would most likely be in our best interest to let Captain Davis and his team get settled before we continue with the mission."

"Excellent idea, Eva." Classified stood, "Corporal, would you please show the Penguins to their rooms? I'm sure they had a long flight and would appreciate a little time to adjust. We can meet in the conference room in an hour to compare our intel."

Skipper eyed the leader of North Wind with suspicion, "There's no need to wait, we slept on the flight here."

"Then I guess we should all make our way to the conference room then."

"Lead the way big man," Skipper gave Corporal a pat on the shoulder and the man eagerly showed them the way to the room, offering small conversation.

Classified watched as Corporal lead the team away before heading to the conference room himself, falling in step with Eva. The Russian looked at him with cold calculating eyes as she spoke, "You know the mission will run much easier if you work with the current instead of against it."

"Too bad, it's not a current we're working with. More like a bumbling bull in a china shop." He hated the idea of working with a team that had made him doubt himself as a leader and agent.

"I think it'll be an interesting experience."

"Don't tell me you're looking forward to working with them."

Eva couldn't hide the small smile that found its way to her lips as she thought about working with Kowalski again. It was difficult to find someone who could keep up with her. "I'm approaching it as a learning experience."

"Yes, you can learn all the things that you shouldn't do on a mission."

"They get results," she pointed out as she stepped into the conference room.

"Don't remind me." As they entered the conference room he noticed that Private and Corporal were chatting with each other, with Kowalski and Short Fuse chiming in every so often. He looked Eva, "if you wouldn't mind pulling up our intel so we can begin."

"Of course." She lifted her tablet and began pulling up the files and displaying them across the large screens on the far wall.

Classified made his way to the head of the table and noticed that Skipper was sitting opposite of him, arms crossed and feet on the table. It took all his strength to hold back the comment that stuck to the tip of his tongue. "Since the need for introductions is irrelevant, we'll jump right in," as he spoke silence filled the room. "As you know our target is Special Agent Buck Rockgut, a member of CENTRAAL since 1978, his primary mission centered around the infamous Red Squirrel." A picture of Rockgut as well as his personnel file appeared on the screen. "However, he also pursued the well-known assassin, White Widow and—"

"Ugh, cut the crap and get on with it."

"I'm sorry, am I boring you?" Classified turned his attention to the leader of the Penguins.

"Yes, we all know the history of Buck Rockgut, the man's a legend and we all read the file. Start at the end not the beginning."

"Agent Rockgut accessed one of our private servers four days ago. We tried to trace him, but instead caught a virus that nearly crashed our entire system," Eva explained stepping forward, calmly taking the lead which Classified was thankful for. "There's been no other reports of break-ins or stolen information since then, but we figured it's only a matter of time until the next one."

"And you found no indications of why he's taking the information? Correct?" Kowalski asked catching Eva's eye. "What type of information did he take?"

"He took a list of agents' names, alias, and locations," the documents filled the screen. "Our theory is that he intends to sell the information on the deep web to the highest bidder."

"And what makes you think that?" Kowalski asked after he glanced at Skipper to see that his leader was just as baffled by the conclusion they had drawn. It was just like when they had somehow come to the idea that the person behind abducting all the CENTRAAL agents had been a sheep farmer rather than a former CENTRAAL employee.

Eva blinked owlishly, "it's the most logical course of action based on the information we have."

"Although, I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't do all of the required reading." Classified couldn't help but add, which earned him a glare from Kowalski.

"To me it seems like you didn't read close enough. Agent Rockgut was stuck in the past, so much so that he nearly failed his last psych evaluation. The man hated technology beyond the 80s and could barely use one of CENTRAAL basic communication devices when we last worked with him. I find it highly unlikely that Rockgut would sell information on the deep web, let alone even know what the deep web is."

"So, what's your theory then?" This time was Short Fuse who spoke up, noticing the slightly surprised look on his teammates faces as they processed the information.

"Obviously, it isn't Rockgut who took the information or at the very least, he isn't acting on his own." Kowalski stood and made his way to Eva, "If I may?" Without protest she handed the tablet to the lieutenant and took a seat, feeling rather foolish for not taking all the details into consideration. "Rockgut's last known location was a small territory known as Grrfurjiclestan," a map took over the screen with a set of coordinates in red, "and we have it on good word where Rockgut's base was located. I suggest we infiltrate the base and look for more information. Maybe some evidence of who he could be working for or with."

"And from who's good word did you get this from?"

This time it was Skipper who answered, "that's classified. For CENTRAAL eyes and ears only."

"I suppose since this is our only lead it would be best to follow it, even though it goes against my better judgement." Classified could hear the irritation in his voice despite his best efforts to keep his tone neutral. "Short Fuse, if you could charter a flight for us. I'd like to leave tomorrow morning for Grrfurjiclestan. And Corporal, if you'd care to show the Penguins to their rooms it would be greatly appreciated. I believe Eva and I have to reexamine a few things. Let's reconvene here at 15 hundred hours."