Hibernation

The sunrays peaked over from the sky as the ocean flew into life. The octonauts were wide awake, currently having a big breakfast together. Well that was the plan. But the captain hadn't arrived yet and the team grew anxious.

After 3 more minutes of waiting the doors flung open and there revealed a shaggy looking bear who looked like they had just fought ww2 alone and won.

"Captain. Are you alright? "Pesos' voice rang through the room. "Yeah I'm alright peso. Just a rough sleep, "the captain reassured the worried penguin. The crew didn't believe a single word. "If you need the day off you're welcome to do that. 

Doesn't seem like a busy day today" kwazii suggested hoping barnacles would take the hint. And maybe luck was on his side because the captain only stared at the wall before turning away and leaping into the tube that headed towards his room. 

"That solves a problem. Can't have a grumpy captain roaming the octopod" shelling cheerfully said, trying to slightly lift up the mood. 

The others agreed before digging into the carefully made breakfast.

Just like kwazii predicted, the day ran smoothly. Only a couple animals were in need of rescue compared to the daily 27.

In kwazii's opinion, being captain for a day can be nerve racking as it is described. You're always on alert in case you need to sound the octo alert. 

The crew comes to you instead of the captain for complaints. Which can be a lot to handle.

"Another sick day maybe" tweak questioned the captain's lack of appearance. After the captain had a day off in bed he failed to appear the next day. 

Shellington gave tweak a worried look "no that's not like him. He surely would at least let us go"

Alliance filled the room as the crew began to question themselves.

"Well that settles it. I'm going to check on him, "Kwazii announced, trodding off before anyone could say anything.

Kwazii's tail skimmed the metal as he slid down the tube. His whiskers twitching from losing patience. Finally alarm bells rang in his head. He felt his paws hit the floor.

Knock 1 time. Wait 3

Knock 2 times. Wait 2

Knock 3 times. Wait 1

A special technique to knock on someone's door without breaking it down.

The door slid open and kwazii tiptoed in. The room was clean and smelt like scented candles. The lieutenant twisted his head to look at the bed.

A shape that could be seen as the captain.

He walked over and rested his paws on the captain's shoulders.

"Oi cap'n. Wake up"

"..."

"Wakkeeeeeeyyyyyyyyy"

"..."

"WAKYWKAYKWAYKABEWAYE

AWAKE WAKE Up uPPPPPPPPP"

"..."

"This usually works"

"Whats happening"

Peso's voice startled kwazii, causing him to trip on an imaginary rock.

"Go get shellington peso, somethings wrong with the captain"

With the orders peso rushed back down the tube.

"Shellington!" Peso rushed towards the kitchen where the octonauts were finishing their breakfast.

Shellington took another bite out of this sandwich before turning his attention onto the penguin.

"Kwazii reckons somethings wrong with the captain," peso huffed. Clearly out of breath.

"WHAT???!!!!" tweaks shouts were clearly heard from the opposite of the table.

"I guess we should take a look," Shellington suggested. He hopped out of his seat and jumped in the tube with peso trailing behind and the rest staying behind.

Not even a minute later Shellington glanced at barnacles before walking over to him.

After a few seconds he came up with the conclusion.

"He's in hibernation"

Kwazii's eyes widened. "W-what did you just say"

"Hibernation" The otter repeated.

"the condition or period of an animal or plant spending the winter in a state. Expect polar bears usually hibernate when it gets too hot for their body"

"It isn't hot though. We're in the south east of New zealand" Peso noted.

"Yes but another way for polar bears to hibernate is when the temperature changes too much. This can cause a sensory overload as their body needs time to adapt to the climate" shellington replied. He glanced at the captains desk. 

"I Suggest we stay put for now until he wakes up" shellington mumbled.

"I'm guessing he will need to be in the medbay" peso asked, his voice slowly slipping away.

Kwazii thought for a second. "I guess he should. We don't know the symdones"

2 ½ hours later.

"They're all set and ready," Tweak sighed. Twisting around to admire her work

The cosy area set up in the medbay had a bed which had wires connected to a machine which is meant to keep the temperature at a comfortable level.

The room's ceiling was covered in fans just in case the bed wires failed.

And finally the octonauts logo painted onto the wall.

A bed was quickly rolled into the room and barnacles were placed on the actual bed.

"Sleep tight I guess"

____________

One ordinary morning, as the sun cast a warm, golden glow through the octopod window, The captain could sense his body waking up from its long slumber.

Panic and hope mingled in his chest as his eyelids fluttered. The world around him was a blurry, shifting mass of shapes and colours. A shadowy figure moved into his line of sight. It was kwazii. Kwazii's face had a mixture of joy and disbelief as he nudged the captain. 

"Cap, can you hear me?" Barnacles tried to speak, but all that came out was a raspy whisper. Good enough. "Chill out, take your time I'm getting peso" kwazii informed before sprinting out of the room.

Less than 10 seconds later kwazii came running back in with peso following behind.

Peso cried out. "Captain! Are you alright" Barnacles could barely register the voice but he nodded. Kwazii sighed with relief and peso walked over to a nearby station and grabbed some medic supplies.

"I'll just do a quick checkup on you just in case"

"No"

"OK"

"Peacefully gets bombed"