Brothers in Black and White

Chapter one ~ a message from the general

It was a beautiful day in New York City, well at least it would be when the sun got up past the tall skyscrapers that lined the horizon. Still small patches of early morning light began to filter across Central Park all the same. At the Central Park Zoo, all was peaceful as none of the animals had yet to awaken; but down in a secret headquarters concealed within an imitation iceberg made of concrete, four particular Pinnipeds soon would.

Kowalski was the first to leave the land of nod that morning; the tallest penguin rolled over in his bunk and looked at the clock; 05:45 good, he could squeeze in ten minutes of experiments, get back to bed and pretend to be asleep when his brothers awoke. He got out of bed and tiptoed into his lab. At five to six he reemerged, quickly scaled the ladder to his bunk, hopped in and closed his eyes. Just in time too, as the bugle call of 'wakey' soon sounded through the headquarters. The scientist tried hard not to laugh as young private fell out bed with surprise, landing on his head as usual while Rico threatened to destroy their alarm clock with a chainsaw.

"No Rico don't do that!" Kowalski scolded as he jumped out of bed.

"Awwwww," Rico groaned, so he coughed up a sledge hammer and smashed the alarm clock instead.

Kowalski shook his head before he turned and saluted skipper; much to his surprise, the eldest was appeared to be still asleep; laying on his side and facing the wall. Kowalski smiled, their leader did this occasionally, ever since they were young and private would always tell him that it was time to get up. However, when the youngest brother touched his big brother on the shoulder, he was shocked to find skipper covered in sweat!

"Skipper," private whispered, no response, "skipper," he tried again, gently shaking his brother, suddenly skipper thrashed and kicked about before sitting bolt upright with a scream.

"Shhhhh, it's okay skipper," private comforted, sitting down on the bunk next to the penguin and rubbing his back gently.

"Oh private, it was terrible," skipper panted, "us and Dave and the samosa serum..."

"Medusa serum," kowalski corrected.

"Medusa serum, and private actually died," the flat headed penguin was obviously trying his hardest not to cry.

"Skipper, that was years ago now, what happened, happened but private's fine and Dave is never going to get his slimy tentacles on anything like the medusa serum again," kowalski reasoned, trying to be of some comfort.

"Why don't we go for a swim before breakfast?" Private suggested, "that always makes you feel better." And that's exactly what they did.

***

After about ten laps of the pool with private by his side, skipper almost completely forgot about his nightmare. Feeling their stomachs start to rumble, both penguins hopped out of the water and shook themselves dry.

"Hey guys!" A cheery voice greeted.

Skipper spun round in surprise, ready to defend private at all costs, only to see a brown and white otter standing behind him; "Marlene, you should know better than to sneak up on me like that," the leader of the Penguins reminded.

"Sorry bout that" marlene apologised, "wouldn't want my boyfriend going all psychotic commando on me now," she joked. Skipper and Marlene had been dating for about three years now and skipper had only told her about the Dr brine debarcle (as it had come to be unaffectionately known amongst those involved) just a month ago after she heard him scream during another nightmare.

"No, I should be the one apologising," skipper admitted, "I thought you were an enemy who wanted to hurt private," he explained.

"Another nightmare huh?" Marlene guessed, her boyfriend was always jumpiest after one of those terrible flashbacks. Skipper just nodded.

"I think I know a way to make you feel better," the otter smiled.

"You do?" Skipper asked

"Of course," Marlene replied and pulled the penguin into a kiss.

Private giggled and shielded his eyes as he turned a light shade of pink.

Suddenly, the fishbowl hatch opened and kowalski popped his head out, "skipper..." The scientist began before noticing the situation, "oh sorry, am I interrupting something?" He asked, long since used to skipper having PDA's with marlene.

Skipper looked his younger brother, "not at all kowalski," the leader replied sarcastically, "what's up?" He asked.

"We're getting a video call and it could be important," kowalski informed.

"Of course kowalski, I'll be right there," skipper nodded before kissing Marlene gently on the cheek and disappearing down the hatch with private in tow.

#

Skipper and private slid into line in front of the television next to Rico and kowalski, "answer it kowalski!" The leader ordered. The scientist did so and the face of a noble looking female penguin came into view.

"General Kennedy!" All four brothers saluted.

"Greetings boys," Alexandra Kennedy was the head of the U.A.T United Animalian Taskforce. Formed after the dr brine debacle, Alexandra had been made General because of her brave attempts to escape from dave's pinniped prison.

"What's up?" Skipper asked, he had a feeling this wasn't just a social call.

"I'm afraid I have some sad news, You four would remember Agent Oscar Gale?" General Kennedy asked.

"Yeah," skipper replied, "I've been on a few missions with him, nice guy, doesn't he live in San Diego?"

"He did, he's been killed." General Kennedy informed.

"Oh that's sad," private looked at the floor.

"That it is Christopher," Alexandra agreed for that was private's real name, "he was one of the best penguin agents I had."

"Anything else we need to know?" Kowalski asked.

"Yes, Oscar was killed for information that he didn't have on him, the enemy believe he gave it to his ten year old daughter before leaving for his final mission, I'm sending her to you four to take care of as she has no mother. She will arrive today," the general explained.

Rico suddenly garbled some nonsense.

"Rico has a point," skipper agreed, "if the enemy believe that this young penguin has valuable information, they could have killed her while she traveled across the country unprotected."

"I did consider the fact and that's why I posted an agent to travel with her. Agent Nigel James of the UK division." General Kennedy replied.

"Uncle Nigel!" Private exclaimed excitedly.

"Well i better let you four go, it must be close to zoo opening time where you are," the General guessed, "General Kennedy out," they penguin hung up and the screen went blank. Leaving the brothers to prepare for the arrival of Oscar gale's daughter.