Author's Notes: Sorry for ghosting AGAIN, this job is so draining, but I'm hanging in there, hope everyone is doing well, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter! Thanks for reading and please review.

(Back with Skipper)

Somehow a week had past, it was strange it felt like an eternity, but at the same time it felt like it had pass in the blink of an eye.

Skipper was at the casino again, it was to be his last time for a while, sadly he would have to move on for the time being. If he stayed at the casino much longer some of the other villains might start asking questions. Like why he hadn't been picked up for a job yet? Bo the boa had already completed 2 assassinations, or so he boasted. Skipper really hoped he was exaggerating, but with that guy it was often hard to tell.

He was with the usual group tonight, Julius, Mittens and of course, Bo; the four of them were deeply enthralled in a game of blackjack while swopping stories.

"Of course, the stupid carrier pigeon didn't see it coming." Mittens was boasting, telling the story of how she once took out a whole flock of carrier pigeons that sent messages for Northwind, back before they went digital.

Either Northwind got their high-tech upgrade more recently than Skipper originally thought, or Mittens was older than she looked. Honestly it could be the second one, Mittens' fur was matted, and clumps were missing. There was no doubt in Skipper's mind that she was a harden street cat who did dirty work from time to time in order to be fed. Sadly, most Villains here had a similar story, and while they chose to make the wrong choices in the end, Skipper still pitted them. They were fine examples of what could have happened to himself and his brothers if they had not been so lucky. They were adorable and cute chicks when they arrived in New York. Zoo's all over the state were fighting to get them a habitat in their Zoo.

If they had been like Dave, unwanted, unloved, could he still say with zero doubts that he and his brothers would still be the same?

He'd liked to think so, but honestly, he could see it, how each of them would bend to the Darkside. All Rico would need is for someone to convince him that blowing things up for selfish reasons was a lot more fun and rewarding, and he just might cave. Kowalski, (who recently saw in Dr. Blowhole that crime can give you all the cool gadgets and scientific fun who could ever want) was still complaining about how bad guys always get the good stuff. While Private, was so naive he may just be tricked into doing more shady activities if his brothers weren't around to guide him.

And there was himself, Skipper would like everyone to believe he was without blame, perfect in every way. He always knew what to do, who he was to be, but lately not so much. Even at young age, as far back as he can remember, he was always in charge, always had someone looking up to him. Before Private joined them, Skipper, Rico and Kowalski were alone. He can't remember having a mother or a father, he knew he must of at one time, but he couldn't recall if he himself had ever met them. Being the oldest that made him in charge, and it meant his brothers expected him to have all the answers.

They depended on him to survive; this alone was his saving grace, something he knew to be a fact. Hans had proved as much, without his brothers he had failed into an obvious trap, and had allowed himself to be used, double crossed and nearly killed. And without them in his life he would have easily left his old life behind him. If he had no one to come back to he would have never returned to New York. He would have kept running, not just from Blowhole, but the Danes as well. Northwind had warned him that he was banned from the Denmark and all other Danish territories including the embassy in New York.

If he was ever seen again by them or any puffins from the United Puffin Federation saw him, he would be "dealt with" on sight. A statement which needed no explaining, if he had no one to call his own he would have gotten as far away from any potential threat as possible. Then there was Blowhole, his obsession with him was already unhealthy, if his brothers were not there to reel him in…

He dared not think the thought, instead he forced himself to focus on today's final game. Since it was the weekend, and the Zoo was only opened half the day, the casino had opened at 2PM instead of the usual later hours.

"Planning to take all night?" Bo hissed playfully.

"What?" Skipper looks up to notice all eyes are on him.

"it's your turn Jack." Julius Informs him.

"Oh right." Skipper makes his move and quickly ends his turn.

"You seem more distracted tonight." Mittens mews playfully. "This will be an easy win for me."

"Better not be, or I'll stop vouching for him at this table." Bo warned.

"Doesn't matter." Skipper revealed. "I'm afraid this will be our last game."

"You're leaving?" Julius asked. "Finally got picked up for a job?"

"Maybe." Skipper answered vaguely. "An old contact of mine has let me in on a possible score." This wasn't a total lie. Both Kowalski and Rico had informed him that they had possible leads and now they were going to discuss their next move. Skipper couldn't help but feel a little giddy, it felt like ages since he last saw his brothers.

"Well good for you." Bo said, sounding surprisingly genuine.

"Maybe you can swing by when you're done." Julius Suggested. "Play another hand for old time sakes."

"Maybe." Skipper agreed, but he already knew it wouldn't happen. He would be moving to a new location after tonight and adopting a new persona. It was unavoidable, Blowhole was obviously well funded, he had friends in the criminal underworld that much was sure. And Skipper had been branded as his archenemy. Staying in one place too long even in a disguise could risk someone recognizing him.

Mittens made her final move thus winning the game. "Finally!" She purred.

"Jack after all I've done for you." Bo shook his head. "What a pity, afraid it's time to boot you."

"Now Bo!" Julius insisted.

"It's fine." Skipper assured him giving the snake a knowing look. "He'll regret it later." He said ominously as he got up from the table.

"Ooo you dead now." Mittens teased.

"I look forward to it." Bo said mischievously. "Something tells me you'd be fun to fight, a real challenge."

"Thanks." Skipper said as he makes his leave. "I'd tell you goons to stay out of trouble, but something tells me you won't."

"Stay out of trouble?" Julius looks stunned. "You wound me."

The friends laugh as Skipper says his final goodbyes and leaves planning to never see the criminals again. Unfortunately, fate had other plans…

(Back with Rico)

He was a bit nervous about tonight's call, and not for the reasons he should be. Rico was confident in the intel he had received and thought his speech device would help the team in leaps and bounds. He had doubt in those two things. He also didn't have to worry about setting up the call. Kowalski had preset the communicators to dial one another at a specific time weekly. Of course, he had made them from old equipment and parts they had salvaged from the abandoned Northwind headquarters. Long story short Rico had nothing to worry about, except how was going to explain his new partner.

Rico looked at Miss Perky expectantly, she was sitting beside him in front of the small communicator, it was tinny, but still had a camera and a small screen form him to view. He would see his brothers, and more importantly they would see him and…her.

She was distracted, that's what Skipper would say, he was sure of it. Still even in the short time that he had her Rico could honestly say he never felt more focused. When he was with Miss Perky all his urges to blow things up just went away. However, explaining that to Skipper and the others wasn't going to be easy. So naturally he was nervous, and rightfully so. What if Skipper made him give her away?

Rico shivered at the thought, he couldn't even think about it. A life without miss perky was bleak and gray. So natural he kept himself distracted by making busy work around his makeshift lar. Taking inventory and dusting the weapons. Anything to keep his mind off the upcoming call, it worked, and time managed to fly by, both to his relief and dismay.

There is an audible ding from the communicator and the screen flips on showing his brothers.

"Skipper!" He squawked happily.

"Rico my man." Skipper seems to be too excited to notice his plus one.

"Golly it's been forever." Private chimed in. "I've missed you loads."

"Yes, we missed you too, Private now please tell me Nigel is not in the room with you." Skipper looked ready to give a long-winded lecture.

Not that it was needed. "He's catching up with some friends, I told him that I needed to be alone for…the results." Private answered.

There was a long silence after that final Kowalski spoke. "I just finished the analysis…" he pauses, looking a mixture of pained and happy.

"So, it's bad then?" Private asked, he was trying not to look disappointed, he could have sworn he felt a connection to this place and Nigel, but perhaps he had imagined it. Simply wishing for a bond that wasn't there.

"I suppose it depends on your perspective." Kowalski answered.

"Meaning?" Skipper asked.

"I can't say for sure if you are Sammy, not without Samuel's and Mary's DNA, but there is no doubt in my mind that you are related to Nigel.

The truth hit him like a nine-pound hammer…

"How certain are you?" Skipper asked.

"100%" Kowalski answered. "Why are you still wary of him?"

"Only if Private is." Skipper stated, surprising them all.

"Me?" Private asked.

"You've been around him all week soldier." Skipper said taking the professional approach. "Any red flags?"

"None." Private said. "Well except his competitive spirt is a bit…shocking." He admitted. "Only because he doesn't look the type."

"Competitive?" Kowalski asked.

"OH yes we've been playing…sports all week." Private stopped short of telling them which sport. Something told him his brothers would see Mini golf as a wimpy rather than a real sport.

Skipper confirms this in an instant. "Football? You're right he doesn't look the type."

"Must be the long legs, the point is Skipper is right, you've been around him a whole week. Is there anything at all that makes you think he could be anything other than who he says he is?"

"No, he's well known here, literally dozens of Zoo animals can back up his story." Private revealed. "I've talk just about everyone in the Zoo, and they knew my mother, and my father as well as Nigel." He revealed. "No one gave any implication that he was acting out of character either.

"Good." Skipper looks a bit anxious. "Do you… want to keep seeing him?"

It wasn't an easy question to ask, nor was it an easy one to answer.

"Skipper I…I can never replace you guys; you've done more for me than anyone. I'd wouldn't be here today without you, but…I like Nigel. There is a connection, a bond that…you'll always be my brothers…"

Skipper nodded. "I guess we'll have to get use to his stories." He joked.

"And the tea." Kowalski added.

"You drink my tea." Private added.

"Of course, we do, we love you too much not to." Skipper admitted. "Plus, you don't make it as strong."

"That's because I know you don't like it." Private insisted. "He'll learn." He smiled at that.

"Yes, well now that one matter is cleared up might we address the elephant in the room." Kowalski stated. "Or more importantly the doll."

"Rico." Skipper gives him an inquisitive look. "Would you like to share."

Rico gives a deep breath and explains everything in jumbled up mess.

"Okay…okay back up you got a box that talks for you?" Kowalski asked.

Rico nodded excitedly and typed on his new device.

YES

"Rico that's genius!" Kowalski praised. "We can actually communicate with humans."

"But spelling the words..won't that be hard?" Private asked. "We can't read."

"For now!" Kowalski looks excited enough to burst. "I'm learning to read!"

"Kowalski, it's not your turn." Skipper reminded him, shaking his head. "Rico good work on the device, and the intel, this name they gave you, what was it."

Rico nodded, feeling relieved Skipper wasn't addressing Miss Perky and sticking to the mission. "Names Doc, science type, interested in mass producing weapon." He answered in a mess of grunts and other sounds.

"Doc, could be short for Doctor, as in Blowhole." Kowalski said the obvious.

"Possibly, if not he may run in the same circle, good work soldier, did you get a location Kowalski?"

"I asked around on the Dark web, on Rico's behalf, to no avail, but I am sure that this Doc is most likely the same Doc who contacted me as well.

"Good, and Rico…" Skipper gave him a knowing look. "No more unauthorized personnel on this frequency."

Rico was so happy he almost exploded. Did that mean?

"Yes you can keep her." Skipper answered the obvious question. "She seems to be keeping you out of trouble. Now I've managed to get a lead on Blowhole, but it's a dead end of sorts."

"How so?" Kowalski asked.

"The thugs and mercenaries here have heard rumors of an upcoming villain who took out an undercover agency all at once and seemingly overnight." Skipper answered.

"That certainly sounds like him." Private agreed.

"Yes, but they have no name for this villain or the organization he took down, but I am sure if news of Northwind's absence isn't out yet, then soon they'll figure it out." Skipper explained. "The point is Blowhole's exploits seem to be at least rumored from what I have been told he's gone dark though, most likely because we put a kink in his plans."

"Still, it's something." Kowalski said, hopeful. "If three Mercs know about him maybe some villains higher up on the food chain will know more."

"That's the plan, you got a new alias for me?" Skipper asked.

"Yes, I have set you up as the Wealthy Industrial Lincoln Douglas, or Doug for short. You're looking to fund the next coming up villains."

"Don't we need money to do that?" Private asked.

"No, you just need to look the part." Skipper mused. "Besides with this week's winnings I have enough tuna to at least fake rich for a little while." He assured them. I just need to rub elbows with some of the other wealthy investors, maybe I can find the guy who is funding Blowhole. Now Kowalski tell us about your findings."

"I made contact with a possible lead." Kowalski "Like I said he goes by the name of Doc and could very well be the same Doc that was given to Rico. He had a whole page in the dark web, with words! So, he can read, just like we Know Blowhole would have to be able to in order to get his so-called doctorate. He also claims to be a scientist and speaks very highly of himself."

"It does sound like him." Skipper agreed.

"He wants me to meet him, Skipper." Kowalski revealed.

"Are you mad?" Private asked. "It could be a trap."

"Maybe." Skipper admitted, looking thoughtful. "But it's the only lead we've got."

"He can't go alone." Rico grunted.

"I have to, if I bring a group and he sees you my cover could be blown!" Kowalski insisted.

"Sit on it for another week." Skipper said looking thoughtful, after that Private should be done with his holiday and can join you. Rico will also be packing up shop and moving closer to you since this Doc is most likely the same as the name he was given. I will move that way as well, after I see if any of these Rich investors can give me any details on our new friend. The more we know about this Doc before you meet him the better."

Kowalski nodded. "I will wait until you are all here, but I still think I should go alone, I can share the location and you guys can be my back up if I don't report in a reagreed amount of time."

"Agreed." Skipper said to both Rico's and Private's dismay. "Look I don't like it either, but this is our only lead, we can't afford to spook him. Private you will tell Nigel the big news and spend one last week with him and then you will rendezvous with Kowalski, who will introduce you as his younger brother. You got separation anxiety, and our Zoo was forced to ship you over to him to help with your nerves."

"Works for me." Kowalski agreed.

"Rico you will pack up now and go to Kowalski where you will make shop in a nearby seward." Skipper went on.

"Roger." Rico saluted.

"And Kowalski, you will keep doing what you are doing tell this Doc you need a week to think about his offer."

"Understood Skipper." Kowalski answered.

"I will make my way over there in a week, once we are all together, we will discuss visiting Doc." Skipper concluded.

The brothers agreed, all be it some more so than others. Afterwards they all said their goodbyes and hung up.

Private jumped as Nigel walked into their habitat.

"Everything alright?" He asked, no doubt picking up on his apprehension. "What do you get there?"

"Oh, it's like a phone." Private admitted deciding now was a good time as ever to explain the big news. "That was brothers the DNA results are back." He couldn't help the smile as he spoke.

The smile said it all, Nigel embraced him. "Oh, I knew it!" He exclaimed. "We should celebrate!"

"We have another week to do all the celebrating we want." Private told him. "After that I'm going to join Kowalski and the others in the outreach program."

Nigel nodded of course he was told by Private that his brothers were out helping other penguins get acquainted to zoo life all over the United States. "What you and your brothers do is Nobel work." He praised him. "Just let me know when you're back so we can have a spot of tea."

"Of course, you're welcomed anytime." Private said, and he meant it. Having the older Penguin around was nice. He was more like Nigel than any of his brothers. Nigel liked butterfly watching and teatime; he spoke of the perfect doilies and all sorts of flowers and plants Private had never heard about.

He loved his brothers, but Nigel was just as loved and important.

"Another week then." Nigel exclaimed. "One that we will surely remember for all our days."

Private cheered his agreement, having no idea just how right his uncle really was.

-To Be Continued