Chapter two: Transfer

Nitra's Journal (a/n she can read and write because of her grandmother taught her)

"Nitra's log

Writing "dear diary" is too cliche for me. A log sounds less mushy. Anyway, you'll never guess where I am. I'm in a crate. Yep. A large wooden crate, full of hay that's making me sneeze. They took me last night right after we found out about the transfer. Mom was very upset, but she told me that my dad lives at the new zoo I am going to. I am very happy to meet him! Grandma said he is a "complete psychopath". Of course, she thinks that's a bad thing. Mom says he's part of some cool commando thing. I wanted to take my knife and explody stuff (and my really big baseball bat) collection to show Dad (I find all sorts of cool things in the junkyard and clean them up.) I figured that psychopaths like things that are pointy or explodey, but I couldn't find my big fireworks in time, so I had to bring my firecrackers. Besides, I had to act drastically in order to bring it, since mom said I wouldn't need it and shouldn't have it, she took away my suitcase. It's really hard to stuff a bat that larger than your body down your throat and into your stomach, but it is surprisingly doable. So I repacked my suitcase and ate it. I'll barf it up when I get there. Mom made me bring a picture of her to proof to Dad I was really his kid. He doesn't know I exist because I was laid after the people came to "take him away-Ha Ha"( Y'know, the song? I love that song. I heard it on the radio and memorized it. I sing it when I'm bored. *) Actually, him and mom just broke up. Mom left him a broken hearted psycho a long time ago.

I miss Carl already. He came just in time to say goodbye. He's my best friend. Carl is really smart and he helps me put stuff together. He can read to. I taught him how. Maybe I'll go visit Hoboken sometime, Even if it is the most boring place in the world. Surprisingly, I'm not very scared to go to this new place. Any place is better than being smothered by my mother and grandmother back in Hoboken. But part of me misses them too. I guess they did care about me even if they were really strict. Did I just write that? Ugh, too mushy. It makes me nauseous. Oh, that's it! I'll just think of really nauseating stuff until I barf up all my stuff. Things like pink ponies, believing in yourself to fulfill all your dreams, sparkles...I can't write any more. Too gross.

Write later, Nitra."

At the New York Zoo...

Four penguins performed Operation: Adorable Hijinks's. Tail wagging, synchronized swimming, and waving to the crowd, were all ended too soon for the adoring people. Closing time. Alice rushed everyone out of the zoo.

The golden rays bathed the zoo in an orange glow as the animals wound down from the day. Well, most of them. Four penguins were watching a certain stressed out Zookeeper, and a man who was carrying a small, wooden box to their habitat.

" Kowalksi?" Skipper asked the tallest, and smartest of them. Kowalksi was looking through a pair of binoculars.

" Ah, it seems the new transfer from Hoboken has arrived! No one knows what's in the box, but it seems it's headed our way!"

Skipper balled one his flippers into a fist. " It's a spy. Rico, prepare..." But before Skipper could finish his order the box had already arrived. They stepped back as the large dark-skinned man pried off the top and reached down inside, his hands were cupped around something small.

" There you go, little sweetie." He cooed as he set Nitra down on the ground. " See your new friends?"

Alice sighed and exclaimed. " Hurry up! I want to go home and take a long hot bubble bath. Being around these animals all day makes me feel disgusting!"

Skipper shook his head. "She thinks we're disgusting? We aren't the ones that soak in our own dirt to bath. " Private elbowed Skipper. Chubby private pointed to the ball of black and gray fluff that just joined them.

" It's a baby penguin, Skipper!" Private clapped his flippers and waddled over to Nitra." 'ello there little one, what's your name?" He asked sweetly.

Nitra scowled. " My name is Nitra, and I'm not a baby! I happen to be..." She stood up shakily o her legs that hadn't been used in a few hours. " One and half years out of the egg, thank you very much. I'm practically an adult. See!' She pointed to her black feathers. " See. Halfway there. I can swim and everything." She hiccuped loudly." Hold that thought. I..." she looked embarrassed and rubbed the back of her neck with her flipper. She swallowed, remembering what she had to say. She didn't think it would be this hard.

Skipper, Kowalski and Rico waddled forward. " What is it...um...Nitra?" Skipper asked, bending down slightly to her eye-level.

She smiled and said nervously, avoiding eye contact. " Well, you see, one of you guys is my dad."

Silence.

Rico grunted " Whaa?"

She nodded.

" I-It's true! I can prove it. My mom said that my dad didn't know I exist, because she left him before I was laid as an egg. But she told me what he was like." She though for a moment, her beak resting on her flipper. " Oh yeah, she said He was a total psychopath, and liked to blow up stuff, and that he had a Mohawk and a scar. " She looked back and forth at the birds, until her eyes rested on Rico. He pointed to himself.

" Meh?" He half smiled, half frowned as he asked. Skipper stood a moment in pure shock.

" Wh-what! When did this happen, soldier?" He demanded loudly.

" Dah, gaba laba nah franna zabba." Rico replied defensively.

" Oh, yes, that extended shore leave after "the incident." He made air quotes whit his flippers. All four penguins shuddered at mention of the dreaded "incident." Before Nitra could ask what it was, Skipper went on." Why didn't you tell us you were married once?"

"Na dooba la wa Hava nah!" Rico responded in a huff, his flippers folded across his chest. Skipper was about to respond but Private intervened in a cheerful manner, "All right then, so, Rico has a son. It just means a new recruit, right Skipper?"

Nitra frowned and poked private in the stomach (She only came up to private's chest.) " HEY! I'm a girl, twinkle-toes."

There was a moment of silence. Private started to giggle, as did Kowalksi, then Skipper (He, of course, chuckled. He's much too macho to giggle.)
" Rico...is a daddy of a little girl?" Private said, wiping a tear from his eye, "

"I'm so sorry " He laughed louder, then covered his beak with his mouth, then uncovered it. " So sorry. I'm fine now, really. I just can't imagine Rico having a little girl. Because little girls like nice things Puppies, and pink, and sparkles and cute little butterfly sweaters..."

Rico's stomach growled in discomfort. Private winced and apologized " Oh, sorry Rico."

Nitra on the other hand was about to blow chunks. She hacked and gagged a couple of times until out popped a framed picture from her beak, and then a large silver suitcase! The suitcase was much too big compared to her body mass to fit inside of her, but it had. She stared at the items in surprise. " I can't believe that actually worked. Thanks...um...Private. Your disgusting talk about those horrible things helped me hack up my suitcase and picture. " She turned around. All four penguins were staring at her. Beaks gaping. Rico clapped wildly with a large, wild smile. Maybe having a daughter wasn't so bad after all, as long as she acted like a guy.

She smiled back and picked up a picture of her mom. She handed it to Rico. " This is my mom. Recognize her?"

He nodded with a sad grunt, that relationship had ended quite badly.

Skipper leaned over to see. "She's a handsome woman." He tried to say indifferently, but the look on his face gave quite a different message.

Kowalski agreed eagerly. "A-a f-fine specimen of our species." Though, like Skipper and private, he hadn't ever seen a grown female penguin before.

Skipper turned to Nitra. " Well, even if you weren't Rico's kid, we still would welcome you to our home. " He held out his flipper. The others nodded their agreement. She took hold of his flipper with hers and shook violently.

"Awesome! Mom told me you guys had like a whole commando vibe thing or something Can I join to? Can I? Can I? Can I?" She squealed. " I can do some really cool stuff with knifes and explosives, and I can read to!" She finally let go of Skippers flipper. It was getting dark out.

Skipper thought for a moment. "How about we finish this conversation over some fresh sushi! Let's head on inside, boys...and...um...girl."

Rico clapped and grunted. " SUSHI!" and waddled to the hole to their HQ. He motioned for Nitra and jumped in. She jumped in after him, heart pounding in excitement.


Nitra had a feeling that life was about to get a lot more interesting.