It's 'great' to be young

Intermission II

Chopper had continued to sneak along the tunnel in search of his captain. Saving Luffy had the highest priority.

He was glad that he could use his nose to find the way because everything looked the same. He wondered why that always was the way with those underground bases? Maybe there was one person who built all of them? He would need to ask Usopp about it... or maybe Robin.
The smell of his captain got stronger and now voices got in the mix. The little reindeer froze, his ears perking up a bit. The voices came from a brightly lit room a few paces away.

„How is it going?" A deep voice asked.
„Not good,Sir" the person answering stifled a yawn. „They are now working together but it took longer than we thought. They still try to figure out what is going on."
„How long?"
„I dunno... we're at it for now 36 hours... the longest I've been awake was around 72 hours... but I was younger then. And I moved more... maybe I'll manage the 80 hours... max... "

Chopper sneaked further along the wall and was now spying into the room.
He could see a marine officer, a captain if Chopper remembered the number of stripes correctly, with his arms crossed and another man looking very tired. Maybe a lower ranked officer? Another person, maybe a doctor or a nurse, was checking on three sleeping people lying on beds, tubes leading fluids into their arms: Luffy, Nami and Usopp!

The Marine Captain rubbed his forehead.
„I'll ask the chef to bring you coffee and fruit and... or do you prefer cola?"
The woman chuckled while leaning over Luffy, checking the reaction of his eyes to light.
„What is so funny about that?" The Captain asked irritated.
The tired man looked over to the woman: „Coffee is Nico Robins favorite beverage, while Cola is Cyborg Frankys." He then turned back to his officer. „Which brings me to another problem. We discovered something that might complicate things."
„Oh, boy. What now?" Again the man rubbed his forehead.
"They are a couple."
Again the woman chuckled.
"What do you mean?" the Captain furrowed his brows.
"Nico Robin and Cyborg Franky. They are actually a couple."
"Our intelligence report did not mention that."
"I know."
"Spandam did not mention that."
"I know."
"He will be furious!"
"I know!" the tired officer almost screamed in laughter. This was somehow really hilarious for him, tears streaming down his face.
„Oh for fucks sake!" The Marine Captain sounded exasperated. „Not only did we not catch their Tanuki now the storytelling will be hindered by romance?"

Chopper froze again. Oh no! Were they looking for him?

„Uhm... no," the woman added now, walking up to the Captain, figuring it would be better if she continued while her colleague tried to calm down again. „It actually does not matter. Even if Nico Robin was not driven off the boat. Of course the story had to be adapted and our friend here has to control more people but they also all arrived at the island. I'm sure we'll soon reach our goal. Honestly it's actually kind of cute."
„Okay... well, if you say so... As long as we get the information I don't care how you do it. I just don't want Spandam to throw another bitch baby tantrum," the Captain sighed. „I'll send you coffee and whatnot."
„Thank you, Sir." the tired man answered, stifling another yawn.
„See you later," the two Marines saluted and the Captain answered the same before turning around

Chopper had started to run hoping that he had not been seen. He still had no idea what was going on but he knew where three of his friends were and he would find a way to save them!