Skipper's ordered us to conduct recon on the new exhibit. He's opted to remain behind and formulate plans so I'm in charge of the team. I'm determined to live up to his expectations. Though I'm not entirely sure what those are.
Rico's skills as a lock pick are invaluable. We've infiltrated the keeper's base and uncovered their plans for the transfer. I've been working on my code skills so I can decipher some of the information they've clearly been trying to conceal with this clever inscription. The numbers and times are easy to decode. It confirms the new arrival won't get here until 2000. We'll take all this back to base to decrypt the rest.
Skipper was pleased with my report and has a plan ready to investigate the new inhabitant. I've been passing the time running calculations on the otter being a spy for Dr. Blowhole. Given her previous location was North Carolina, it is possible she's encountered Skipper's dolphin nemesis. However since she's been raised in a zoo… or aquarium… it diminishes the chances she's a spy. Logically a spy would either be transferred often or at least be in a strategic position. This otter's neither. We'll keep our guard up of course but chances are 50/50 she's safe.
Our first meeting went well. At least Skipper didn't over react and start interrogating her like he does whenever they add a new dolphin to the zoo. But he had ordered me to study her and provide a detailed analysis. She seems nice. Private was keen as usual to make a new friend and I tried to follow his example. He's much more relaxed about these things than I am… but actually Marlene (the new otter) was genuinely welcoming and it was surprisingly easy to talk to her. Even Rico was swayed.
When I mentioned this to Skipper later though he took it as a clear sign she was trying to discover our secrets. I sometimes think he's a little over cautious but he is the leader. I know he feels keenly that the safety of the team depends on him. He decided to make a surprise visit to her habitat, to try and catch her out, through one of the secret entrances we located on the blueprints. I'm not sure whether he was relieved or disappointed to find she wasn't doing anything.
I led Rico and Private over without Skipper the next day. Without Skipper to restrain him, Private chatted about everything… everything Skipper had declared classified. I considered stopping the boy but really, the chances of her using the information against us seemed minimal.
Skipper seems alternatively paranoid about giving the otter a chance to study him and then keen to have an opportunity to study her himself. I'm not sure if he still believes she could be a spy. I've calculated the chances at 12% now… though she does ask a lot of questions about Skipper when he's not there… but I'm assuming that's curiosity due to his absence.