Kowalski set the headband-looking machine around Rico's head and tied it down, making sure that no matter what happened, it wouldn't topple over. Rico didn't seem to mind it as he sat there patiently on a chair.
"I do apologize for using you for these experiments," said Kowalski, still screwing a few nuts and bolts in the headband.
"Uh uh," Rico shook his head.
Kowalski turned the last screw with his screwdriver.
"There, that should do it," announced the penguin.
"I don't like the looks of this," pointed out Private. "What if this time Rico really does get hurt."
"I'm afraid we're left with no other option but to try," he replied as he put back on his goggles. "Besides, I strongly believe that this would be the final experiment I've planned before we could finally cure Skipper."
Rico reached his flipper to touch the machine out of curiosity, but when he poked at a green light bulb- ZAP! Rico yelped and shot his flipper into his beak.
"Easy now," comforted Kowalski as he stood, holding up a remote that used to be for a toy car. "Now activating the main power core."
Kowalski flipped on a couple of switches, and the light bulbs began to glow bright. Rico blinked at the sound of electricity crackling. Private stood beside Kowalski with his own pair of goggles, nervously and anxiously wondering if this would a success.
"Now engaging energy levels."
He turned a dial slightly to the side.
"Um, Kowalski," began Private. "Exactly what does this machine do?"
Suddenly Kowalski looked up from the remote and turned towards him.
"Actually," began Kowalski slightly sheepishly until more electricity began popping from the machine.
Suddenly Rico began jiggling and shivering and his eyes popped open. He shook up and down, grunting "Brrr," to the vibrations. Before anything else could happen, Kowalski turned down the dial and immediately flipped the switches to shut it off. The two penguins rushed over to Rico and looked down on him worriedly.
"Rico?" asked Private.
Rico shook his head, spilling his drool everywhere. Then he looked up at his teammates with a smile.
"Woo hoo!" he exclaimed, then clapped his flippers gleefully.
"Well, did it work?" asked Private.
"Technically speaking, no," Kowalski shook his head.
"Well what was it for?"
"It was supposed to detect any illness in the brain, and then zap it away once detected. But by the looks of Rico…" Rico continued to clap and giggle, then after a while he stuck his flipper on the light bulb again, only to get shocked again. But it looked like he wasn't hurt because he actually continued to clap and cheer to it! "I don't suspect any changes…"
"Poor Skipper," began Private. "Maybe it's best if we just accepted that Skipper's gone and doesn't need us anymore…"
"Now don't speak of such nonsense," assured Kowalski as he put a flipper on Private's shoulder.
"But you said so yourself, he won't even lead us for another maintenance duty! And he's already given us so many days off. It doesn't look like wants to be with us anymore."
Even Rico stopped his fun for the moment and grumbled sadly and drooped at the words.
"Not for long. I vow to find the resolution, for Skipper's sake. I'm sure deep down that he's in need and is counting on us to rescue him."
"I hope you're right, Kowalski. Well, I'm sure you're right, you always are!"
"Exactly."
Suddenly at that moment, one of the light bulbs on the headband popped. Rico blinked as he watched the tiny pieces fall. Rico chuckled and smiled at his teammates.
"I'll be making something to drown my sorrows now," said Private sadly and waddled to the fridge to begin his search for a treat to calm his nerves.
Kowalski sighed and approached Rico to remove the headband. He unbuckled the helmet and he pulled it off his head. Suddenly thumping could be heard, echoing throughout the room. The penguins stopped what they were doing and darted around the room to find the source.
"Quick, men! Evasive maneuvers!" exclaimed Kowalski and immediately all three penguins huddled together in their military stances.
They continued scanning their base, until Rico grunted and pointed at Private's First Prize fish. The other two turned towards it and stood there, bracing themselves for anything. Suddenly the prize swung open and out popped a big, brown ball of fur! They stood back a few inches, until they recognized who it was as it lay there before them.
"Marlene?" asked Private. "What on earth are you doing here?"
Suddenly Marlene darted up immediately, shot her paws out, and grabbed Private's face.
"You! Have GOT! To HELP me!" she nearly roared between breaths.
"What happened?" squeaked Private with his eyes wide open in fear.
He's never seen Marlene look so desperate and angry… and scared? All wrapped into one was very strange… and scary…
"Skipper has OFFICIALLY gone crazy!" she nearly hissed through grinding teeth.
"Care to explain?" asked Kowalski cautiously.
Suddenly she darted at him, and then pulled him in until her eyeballs were touching his.
"He. Tried. To…" she began, but then whispered the rest of her sentence, so Private wouldn't hear.
Kowalski's eyes lit up, and then his eyes and beak twitched in horror.
"WHOA MAMA, GOOD GOLLY WHOLLY!!!" he panicked as he pulled away. "That is just the most crude and just… I'm so sorry."
"And right now, he's still after me! I don't know where else to go. I don't know any other safer place in this whole zoo. And there's no one else I can count on to be safe! I mean… for crying out loud, it used to be Skipper!!!"
She shivered in fear and she clasped her paws on her cold cheeks. Suddenly she blinked when she realized she had said the wrong thing. She looked at the other penguins, hoping they didn't catch what she meant. They simply looked at her blankly, yet practically awes-struck at the same time.
"Just!" she growled as she clenched her paws and teeth. "Tell me you've found out what's wrong with him?"
"Negative," Kowalski shook his head. "But by your… er… graphic description of his behavior. I will conclude that this is definitely an unnatural obsession that must be resolved as soon as possible."
Marlene shook her head, signaling she couldn't understand what he had just said.
"He's definitely crazy and we have to stop him," he blankly "translated" his last statement.
Private waddled over to Marlene, "It'll all be alright, Marlene. You'll see."
"I hope so, Private," she replied softly. "And I'm sorry I'm freaking out on you guys like this."
"It's no trouble," smiled Kowalski. Even Rico nodded his head with a smile.
"Now why don't I serve you some of my sardine smoothies!" exclaimed Private. "That'll be sure to lift our spirits."
"I guess that'll be nice," she smiled.
With that Private returned to the blender and stuffed it with a couple of sardines, mixed it up with a push of a button, and pulled out cups to fill them with.
"Woops, silly me," he chuckled. "I nearly forgot the soy sauce."
He went back to the fridge and scavenged for the missing ingredient. The others were circled around Marlene. At this time, Kowalski had even taken the liberty to tell Rico what Marlene had told him. Rico sat there expressionless. Even after a moment of no reaction, he pulled a paper bag and puked harshly.
"I hope this won't affect Rico's eating pattern," said Kowalski worriedly. Suddenly he spotted Private pouring in the soy sauce bottle into the blender. "Stop, Private!!!" Private cringed and stopped immediately. Kowalski rushed over to him and snatched the bottle away.
"What's wrong?" Private asked.
"That's not soy sauce! That's my experimental Project: A1-709!"
"Um… a what?"
"It's a love serum I was working on the other day. And it's a very dangerous substance. I miscalculated its hormonal power and why just think of the consequences and-" He paused abruptly, and suddenly everything that was once topsy-turvy was suddenly snapped right back into place! Of course! And oh no. He turned to Private. "Private, you didn't happen to put some of this in your smoothie, have you?"
Private shrugged, "I can't remember." Than after a pause. "Ah! Oh yes, I remember putting some soy sauce into the smoothies the other day. Frankly on the day Skipper went crazy…"
The whole room turned quiet as everyone realized the answer. Suddenly the silence was broken by the sound of hissing. Private and Kowalski's eyes scanned around for the source. Private looked to the ceiling, then to the floor, and then to the stove. It sounded like the tea kettle was almost done, but… they didn't have a tea kettle. Suddenly Private looked at Kowalski, but he was surprised to see Kowalski's eyes locked on Rico. Private turned to Rico and gasped when he saw the look of fear and confusion on his face. Rico was looking right into Marlene's face… and she was trembling like crazy! Heck, you could almost see the steam soaring above her head! Suddenly Marlene turned around at Kowalski- with absolute fury and rage burning in her eyes!
"N-now Marlene," began Kowalski as he took a few steps back. "Let's just take a moment to calm down… and find the resolution together."
Marlene got up and marched towards Kowalski. Private just stood there with his flippers over his beak at the sight. She was certainly fired up now!
"How could I possibly team up with you to find the resolution if it was YOU who caused this problem in the first place!!!? AGAIN!!!"
"Mar- Marlene… let's not do anything hasty," Kowalski panicked still stepping backwards away from the angry otter. "Wait, Marlene, Marlene! What are you- wait! GAH!!!"
Private shut his eyes and turned away, not wanting to see the violence. The room began to quiver by the vibrations of the vicious beating Marlene was giving Kowalski! Rico simply sat there, cocking his head to the side. He wasn't sure if he should do something about this… it actually looked kinda cool.
"No not there! OW! Stop! Rico!!!" cried Kowalski. Rico stood up alert. "Do something! Don't just sit there!"
"Er…" Rico grumbled as he approached the two, dashing side to side, wondering what he should. He watched the two squabble, and finally Marlene locked Kowalski's neck in her arm, practically strangling him now! Rico blinked, he wasn't so sure if he should knock her out first, or just try to separate the two. Finally he shot himself at Marlene and shoved her to the side. He continued to struggle with Marlene, pressing his weight against her, trying to pin her to the floor. She continued to kick and scream and squirm.
"Wait 'til I get my paws on you, you little-!!!" she roared, clawing at the ground and Rico still on top of her. He wrapped his flippers her shoulder, making sure it wouldn't give her a chance to escape. She squirmed and growled, and Rico was already giving his all to keep her down! He never thought an otter could ever be this strong!
BANG!!! The door burst open. Everyone was startled by the sound and shot their attention to the doorway. There stood Skipper in his military stance and his determined expression. Suddenly his face turned into a shocked expression. He was looking at Rico from behind, but he still could see Rico was lying right on top of Marlene, still with his flippers wrapped around her shoulders. This certainly didn't look right…
"WHAT THE DEUCE IS GOING ON HERE!!!?" Skipper roared.
"Er…" grumbled Rico, what was he supposed to do or say (if he could)?
"Get off her!!!" he snapped and literally kicked him off her.
Rico flew across the room and practically splat against the only window in their base. Kowalski and Private looked at poor Rico, then back at their crazed leader.
"How could you?!" Skipper spat. "I trusted you like a brother!" Then he turned to Marlene still lying on the floor. "And you! Why would you do this to me?!"
"Uh, what?" exclaimed Marlene.
"You can't go on two-timing me, ever!"
"You're crazy! I'm not two-timing anyone! This is all a misunderstanding!"
"The only one misunderstanding me here is my team," he growled and darted his attention to the other penguins.
They trembled and were shocked by his reaction. Eventually Rico scraped off the window and landed back on his feet dazed. Skipper's expression turned to a very furious and ticked-off expression. Things weren't looking too good.
"You men outta be ashamed of yourselves!" he spat. "You can't betray a friend like this." Suddenly he inched closer and cracked his flippers like knuckles. His dark aura could practically be seen swirling around him. "Now that you've rolled the dice, you've gotta pay the price…"
"Skipper?" squeaked Private.
The next thing they knew, Skipper pounced on them, and began his thrashing against them! Marlene looked on in horror; she couldn't believe how Skipper was so blinded by the serum that he was even willing to hurt his own teammates for her! What has she done! Or what have they done! Is there anyone to blame here??? The entire room was filled with yelps and screams of terror and pain, things breaking and… was that the sound of a bone snapping?! Suddenly Marlene spotted Kowalski crawling weakly up towards her. Before he could reach her, he collapsed. He had already taken a lot of damage from Marlene's beating; it was uncertain if he could keep it up any longer! He was badly bruised and already had a black eye. Jeez! Marlene had beaten him up, sure, but not so much to actually scar the poor guy for life!
"Marlene," he coughed. "Run. Just leave while you can."
"To where?" she shrieked. "I can't get to anywhere without you guys! I can't just abandon you."
"Don't worry," Kowalski coughed. "About us, alright? Just… go to a place where Skipper wouldn't expect to find you."
Marlene paused and thought it over. Her face lit up, but then looked back down on Kowalski. "What about you guys?"
"Don't mind us, we'll hold him off as much as we can. Then when he's calmed down, I'll get to work on an antidote to cure the love sickness."
Marlene shook her head, "Just be careful."
"Affirmative. Besides, this is what Skipper had trained us for; we'll do the best we can. Now go! Once he finds you, you might not be able to escape his wrath."
Marlene nodded and scurried away as fast as she could. She felt guilty, but what else could she do? Kowalski eventually struggled to get on his feet and turned around.
"Alright, Skipper. I never wanted to hurt you, but if this is the only way you- GAH!!!"
Suddenly he was pulled right into the battle by Skipper's anger! He grabbed him by the feet and spun him fiercely until he finally tossed him against the wall! Kowalski crashed, leaving a deep dent against the wall that it even sprung a leak! It wasn't too bad, but it was there. Then he fell from the wall and joined the pile of his other defeated comrades. Skipper towered over them, with his alpha posture and angry eyes.
"Next time, I won't go so easy on you knuckle heads," he threatened. "That's what you get for mutiny."
Suddenly he waddled over to Rico, the poor penguin lying there with his tongue hanging out of his beak and badly bruised. Skipper stomped his foot on Rico's gut, forcing a flashlight out of him.
"With Marlene's shiny coat to reflect the light, it shouldn't be so hard to find her in the dark," he said before he waddled towards the exit and left his team behind.
The poor gang lied there helplessly, yet despite everything, they were hoping that Marlene would be okay too. Who would've thought a love-struck penguin could be so dangerous?!