In this chapter, the Identity of the female penguin is revealed. The names of the Wheeler’s team is revealed. And a surprise from an unexpected penguin in their habitat could change everything…
PS! If you can find the bible reference, you win a cyber cookie!

Chapter 2

    The day began like any other. It had been two days since Private first met the strange girl penguin. He and the others were rescuing Julien from the baboons who had grown tired of his loud and ludicrous dancing. Private was standing off to the side, awaiting orders. The team was almost ignoring him. It was strange, but probably nothing to worry about. They were running from the baboons, Private in the back, when suddenly from behind Private was clutched into the shadow of a lamppost by two strong flippers.

“Help!” he nearly cried out, but he held his beak, remembering the lady penguin’s voice. A gentle flipper laid over his beak, then slowly removed itself.

“Did you tell the Skipper about my father?” asked the girl

“N-No. Please don’t hate me! I simply forgot!” Private stammered

“I don’t hate you, Private. I thank you for not telling them, because I have more information now.”

“Really?” Private looked up, hopeful to see some bit of light on the penguiness. The only thing he saw from the light was blackness. The blackness of the flipper holding his. He sighed dreamily.

“Private, Pay attention! Do you remember anything I told you?!” the voice sounded angry. Private snapped back to attention. Her grip tightened on his shoulders.

“Wha - oh, yes! Most definitely yes!”

“What was I talking about?”

“Oh! Ummm… the recent rise breakthrough their top two scientists made?” Private’s reply almost sounded like a question.

“Good. You were paying attention.” His shoulders relaxed. “I will infiltrate their den of mischief tonight, and get word of their vile doings to you. You will wait until then to tell your leader, Skipper.”

“Okay – but why are you talking so weird all of a sudden?”

“What, Private? Oh – sorry, I let my imagination take over for a few seconds. I was a heroic spy!”

Private giggled. “You think it’s silly, but Imagination is a wonderful thing.” The girl’s voice scolded. Private was a bit taken aback.

“No – no, it’s not that. It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“I use my imagination a lot too.” But she was gone, a rustle in the wind, before he got the word ‘use’ out. He looked over, and saw Skipper trying to get a negotiation between Julien and Darla settled out. He sighed, and walked back behind them. It was like he was never sidetracked.

Later that Night…

Private was playing with his lunacorn in front of the television. The others were up top, eating fish and testing Kowalski’s latest invention. Private wasn’t entirely sure what it was. Something about transportation? He shrugged, not really caring what it was. He had other things on his mind. His stomach fluttered - he felt a little sick. He was got up to go see if Kowalski knew what to do for his stomach.

The door creaked open. He glanced over. A flipper showed itself through the door way – and in the blink of an eye, was pinning him against the opposite wall. A brief pause, and the conversation continued from earlier in the day.

“Did you say nothing?” The girl demanded

“No, No! I said nothing!” he cried

“Good! Now, I haven’t been able to find out much. It was tricky enough getting into the lab. What I did find I already knew. They’re planning on something with Nanotechnology and the human mind. As far as the scientists know, they’re helping people. I’ve read their notes.”

“Maybe their lying in their notes.”

“A scientist?! Pshh!! No, the real danger is how the nanotechnology will be used. That’s all the information I have right now. I have ten minutes before I need to leave.”

“Do you want to stay and talk a bit?”

“Mmm- sure.” She sat down in the dark. He groped for her flipper.

“When can I see you in the light?”

“In due time, Private. All in due time.”

“oh.” a pause. “Is it time yet?”

she laughed. “No, Private.” And they sat, talking about things. Ten minutes flew by, and when Private looked at the clock, she was gone. He sighed.
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The Next day. “Men, I want to go back down that tunnel again. Something doesn’t feel right, and I want to get another look at his teammates.” So they went back to the sewer, back to the paths they had traveled before. Wheeler heard them coming.

“You decided to come back, eh? Well, what can I do for you?”

“Not much. We just wanted to see how you were doing. And to meet the rest of your team.”

“Oh, goodness! I completely forgot! BOYS!” Wheeler called into the tunnel behind him.
Out of the shadows came three penguins. Tall, short, and muscular.

“Skipper, Private, Rico, and Kowalski, this is Luke, Marcus, Matt, and myself, Joey.”

“So your names are Matt, Marcus, Luke and Joe?” Private asked. He knew he had heard that before, it sounded so similar... he ignored the feeling.
“Yep. PB winky?” Marcus pulled out a tray. “Oh, yes, thank you!” they dug in gleefully.

Meanwhile, Private slowly inched towards the other tunnel that they had come from. He knew his girl would be there. It was instinct. Sure enough, there she was.

“Miss me?” Said the penguiness.

“Er - Yeah.” he replied sheepishly.
she giggled. Oh, how he delighted in that sweet music! He had so much to say, but where to begin!
“Um, is there any more news?”

“No, Private. But I think you know the news I would tell you.”

“Um. Maybe. If its what I think it is.” There went that giggle again. Siggh.
Suddenly, he felt flippers on his face. A beak rubbed against his, and let go. Tongue licked the side of his beak, and he opened his. They kissed, for a few seconds.

“So, are we, like, Boyfriend and Girlfriend now?” Private asked. This was bad, this was very bad. For all he knew, he could be flirting with the enemy!

“Maaaayyybeee.” She teased. And she stepped into the light. Private was finally able to see her for what she was. He was astonished at who it was.

“B - b - but you’re a puffin!” But quite the beautiful puffin! he thought to himself

“Correct.”

“Then that means your dad is - oh, crap.”

“Yes, Private. My father is your mentor’s eternal enemy - Hans Feizi. My name is Brook Lynn Feizi.” Oh, this was bad. This was very, very bad. Private was in a state of flux. He liked her - but she was the enemy!

“Oh, crap. Crap crap crap.”

“What’s wrong?”

“How’s it going to look if I tell them I am going out with the daughter of our esteemed nemesis, Hans? And that I got valuable information from her?”

“You don’t have to tell them the info directly. Just put it in a note in the fridge or something.”

“Hmm. You’re right.” they heard voices coming closer to the tunnel.

“Private?” Kowalski called out.

“I’m right here!” Private responded. “I gotta go.” he whispered back. She pecked him on the beak again, and was gone. He followed his teammates up the tunnel, back to the sewer. They followed the pipelines leading back to their habitat.

They popped out of a grate, landing gracefully on the ice floe. In time to meet a penguin. An intruder in the HQ! Skipper went forward first. The penguin was tall, and muscular. He had his back turned towards them.

“Mister, I don’t know who you are, but you better get out of our zoo. Pronto.” He ordered. A familiar chuckle emnated from the penguin. He turned around to see the four of his ‘students’.

“Nice try with Girfrjicklestan, Skipper. Too bad I ended up going all the way to Denmark before getting the call to come back here. Under orders, you understand.” He smiled. He had lost the crazy look, no longer mad for the Red Squirrel. But something else was lurking inside of him... and the Penguins would have to wait to find out what it was.