It's as I suspected. Rico's got the flu. He developed a cough during the night and those of us on lower bunks suffered a rain of ball bearings. It frustrated Skipper's plans for the day until I suggested perhaps Marlene could fill in for him.

He seemed hesitant at first but it didn't really take long to convince him. I simply reminded him of her help over Julian's crown and he agreed to ask her.

Of course while the zoo remains open we'll have to cover for Rico as best we can ourselves. It's imperative Alice doesn't realise he's vulnerable right now. After what happened last time she caught him off guard… well none of us want to go through that again. We really thought it'd be the end of him and I still can't help but blame myself for not anticipating her plan. I've sworn solemnly to Rico not to let her get her paws on him this time.

Thankfully, Private had hung onto the life-size plushy that travelled back from the toy factory with us. By taking turns with it throughout the day, we successfully created the illusion that there were the usual four of us. Of course, we also had to take turns checking on the real Rico. Skipper took him some fish and made sure he ate it. Private managed to cheer him up as only Private can. And I took him his medicine. I think he appreciated my visits least but I truly only have his best interests at heart.

I suspect he's also a little put out to be left out of the evenings activities. However he knows what Skipper's like about our schedule… and he couldn't come out with us in his current condition. He needs his rest.

Marlene on the other hand seemed excited as a school girl about coming out with us. As Skipper ran through our itinerary… a simple scavenging mission… she was practically bouncing. For tonight's exercise he wanted us in two teams. Naturally, since she's a complete rookie, Skipper opted to have Marlene stick with him. And he also chose to take the easier assignment, entrusting Private and me to head outside the zoo for the more 'difficult' parts. In a sense I'm proud that he's confident enough in my abilities to let me do this… but I'd be lying if I didn't think it had more to do with his concern for Marlene.

After running through once more what was needed, we went our separate ways. Private seemed especially eager to make Skipper proud and I confess I wanted to prove his faith right. Actually the mission shouldn't have been at all difficult. We've been for these parts before… nothing fancy… an ultraviolet lamp, some dinitrotoluene, a cavity magnetron… but then I wondered whether we shouldn't get something to cheer Rico up. Private was keen to find him a present and I suppose I let my concern for him interfere with my leadership.

Private suggested he might appreciate some candy… after all he is excessively fond of chocolate buttons… and he suggested perhaps if we were going to a sweet shop, we could pick up a few other supplies. This seemed very sensible at the time… it's well known that chocolate is soothing to a sore throat… and we headed off to a main street. However what I didn't appreciate at the time was the differing level of security the people put on, for example, nitroglycerin and gummy fish.

To be fair, Private and I were somewhat… preoccupied in the shop… it seemed like everything we wanted was on the very top shelf… but who would have expected vicious guard dogs in an ordinary high street shop? It was lucky for us we were half way up the shelves or we might not have evaded their clutches in the first place. But I was momentarily at a loss for what to do to escape. The only way out was back the way we'd come… and the dogs were clearly not intending letting us past. Poor Private was terrified and naturally turned to me to lead him out. I racked my brains as to what Skipper would do. The first thing would be to ask me for options. That didn't exactly help me at present as I was already trying to think of options. Skipper, of course, wouldn't have hesitated in taking on both dogs himself. Analysing their solid jaws, long canines, and foaming mouths, I decided not to risk it.

Then I remembered the dog we'd faced down over christmas. The whole team was there of course but the principle was the same. Rico had given covering fire while we made a break for it. I could do the same for Private.

"Private. On my mark, make for the exit. Ready?" He looked at me in confusion so I repeated myself in as firm a voice as I could manage. "Ready?" He nodded and I moved between two large jars.

"And…" I eased them towards the edge of the shelf 'til I felt them tip away, "Go!" From the corner of my eye I saw him swing down and land on his belly. I kept my concentration on the hounds below who had dodged back from my initial projectiles and were now glowering up at me. They hadn't backed away as far as I needed to risk my own descent but at least it had kept their attention off Private's escape. Glancing along the shelf I notice the shop also sold fizzy drinks. I rapidly scanned the jars beside me looking for the one thing I really needed. A large jar of sherbet was half hidden between some bonbons and flying saucers. The dogs were beginning to get frustrated, prowling beneath me and as I began edging a bottle of cola along the shelf they started to jump upwards. It didn't help my concentration as I carefully pulled off the lids but, closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. It'd have been so much easier if Rico were here. But then if Rico were here, I wouldn't be here… if that made sense.

With great speed I poured a quantity of fizzy drink in with the sherbet and rammed the lid firmly back. It began to fizz alarmingly and I shook it from side to side as I edged the jar to the edge of the shelf. As the lid began to stretch upwards I gave it a last push over the edge and slid to the far end of the shelf.

I was halfway through the air to the door as the jar exploded behind me in a fountain of acidic sweetness. There were yelps from the dogs but I didn't look back and rushed straight out, nearly knocking Private down.

"Kowalski!"

"No time," I exclaimed before we hurried off back towards the zoo. We didn't slow down until we'd scaled the wall safely back into our own territory. Marlene and Skipper weren't back yet for while I was extremely grateful. I still had a sticky mess of sherbet and dried cola in my tail feathers and the last thing I wanted to have to explain was where I'd got them from. However, after cleaning myself up, and delivering Rico his chocloate buttons, I felt good about the evening's mission… even though Private and I had left our own candy behind. Private was relating to Rico how I'd taken on the dogs and I was pleased to see him feeling more like himself, chuckling at the improvised explosive.

In fact we were all feeling pretty good when Skipper actually did return. I think he was annoyed to see we were all apparently enjoying ourselves but he cheered up on seeing Rico was better.

Part of me was hoping for some praise for a mission well done… after all Skipper didn't know about the slight mishap… but he was business as usual, which I guess isn't surprising. However I was surpised by a sharp poke as I settled into my bunk. Rico had put his head round and was holding something out to me. He grinned as I took it and disappeared out of sight. Looking at my flipper I found I was holding the last of his chocolate buttons.