Private, Kowalski, and Rico were just getting out of bed when Skipper spoke up.
“Well men,” Skipper said sternly as he placed the briefing on the table and took a sip of his coffee, “make sure you’re outside at 0700 hours” he continued checking the clock on the wall; it showed 6:45.
Skipper stood straight up and shot his flipper to his forehead in a salute.
The three penguins saluted back and broke off to get on with their morning.
Kowalski grabbed his clipboard and a pencil and headed towards his inventions. Every morning he’d make sure to take inventory off everything he’s made. He knew there was a 99.8% chance that nothing was missing, but he couldn’t risk taking that .2% for granted.
Private went back to his bunk to make his bed. He quickly folded the sheets and straightened his pillow, making sure everything was in check. He then made his way towards the fridge. He opened it and snatched a glass of milk swiftly. Private let the door close itself and drank his milk. After satisfying his thirst, Private went out the fishbowl entrance to meet up with Skipper, making sure that he was early.
Rico started the morning the way he did every day. First he did a quick check to make sure all his weapons were where they were suppose to be. Next he made himself a bowl of cereal, gave his doll a kiss on the cheek, and also headed outside.
Kowalski followed Rico up the ladder into the brisk morning air. He could see that the sun had just risen above the horizon.
Skipper rounded up his men and got them into a military formation. They began their training by practicing some of their fighting moves.
“Punch, kick, punch, kick, bob and weave, weave and bob” Skipper shouted out as his team followed his orders, doing exactly as he did.
This went on for a good twenty minutes before Skipper stopped them.
“Alright men good job, now it’s time to swim laps, build up that cardio. You never know when you might need to outrun, or out swim, the enemy.” He said firmly as he pointed towards the water.
Private and Kowalski were the first ones to dive into the water. They swam with grace and speed as they made many laps around the cement island in the middle. Kowalski’s tall, slim body and lengthy flippers helped him glide through the water a little faster that Private.
Skipper stood above them, watching as they flew effortlessly through the water. He counted their laps and stopped them when they reached fifty.
“Nice job boys!” Skipper said, pride resonating in his voice. He then turned to Rico and nodded his head towards the water.
“Rico, Let’s go!” Skipper barked as he and the manic penguin jumped into the water.
Marlene sat top of her habitat, enjoying the young sunlight that was beaming through the few clouds the dotted the sky.
As she sprawled her self out in the suns warm rays, she could hear the den coming from the penguin’s habitat. This was, of course, noting new for her. She heard them training almost every morning and has become quite accustomed to Skipper’s commanding voice waking her.
Skipper she thought as she let out a long, almost loving, sigh escape from her lips.
Marlene let her mind wander into a place where everything was right. The sun was always shining, there were never any people to bother the animals, and the food was endless.
Not only that but Skipper cared less about missions and military training, and more about having fun and simply enjoying life.
Still her favorite part about this place was that Skipper was uncontrollably in love with her and she in return was uncontrollably in love with him.
She pictured them walking together through the park. The sun was taking its last breathes before drowning in the horizon, causing the sky to shine in vibrant oranges and blues.
She turned to face him, and he turned to face her. They both closed their eyes and leaned in for a kiss.
Marlene was suddenly woken from her daydream as she heard the splashing of water. She turned her attention to the penguin’s habitat and noticed that they were swimming.
She never really got the chance to see them swim, so she decided to head over to say hi and maybe catch a glance of Skipper swimming.
She hopped up from the ground, brushed the dirt off her fur, and started towards the penguin’s habitat.
She vaulted over the brink wall encasing her home, crossed the walkway, and scaled the wall that surrounded the penguin’s HQ.
“Hey guys!” Marlene greeted them with a warm smile and generous wave.
“Monrin’ Marlene.” Private answered cheerfully, happy to see his friend visit.
“So what you guys up to?” She questioned, even though she already knew the answer.
“Well currently Skipper has us swimming laps, me and Private just finished, and Rico and Skipper are in the process of finishing theirs.” Kowalski responded pointing his flipper towards Rico and Skipper who were darting around the man-made island.
Almost as if on cue Rico and Skipper shot out of the water and landed right next to Kowalski and Private.
Marlene stood looking a Skipper. His feathers were sleek and glistened in the sunlight from the water that was left on them. This took her back; she had never seen his feathers this shiny before.
“Marlene, what have I told you about sneaking up on us like that?” Skipper asked as he shook the final drops of water off his body.
“Sneaking, who’s sneaking?! I just wanted to stop by and say what’s up.” Marlene said defensively as she took a few steps back.
“How do I know you’re not trying to steal one of Kowalski’s inventions?” Questioned Skipper playfully, his trademark smirk painted on his face.
“Really, really,” She said sharply, “I thought we were passed the whole ‘she might be a spy’ thing” she continued, this time jokingly.
“Well we can never be to safe can we.” Skipper moved in closer and patted her on the shoulder.
Marlene’s body tingled with the touch of his flipper. She felt a shiver shoot up her spine, which caused he fur to stand on end.
“I guess we can’t, can we Skipper?” Marlene said back mischievously, throwing a grin towards him as she walked away towards her habitat.
“Wait….what is that suppose to mean!” Skipper shouted, he was thoroughly confused by what she had just said.
“What do you think she meant by that?” Skipper quickly asked as he turned to Kowalski.
“I’m not entirely sure sir, maybe she’s hiding something from us.” Kowalski theorized
“Or maybe she’s just messin with you Skippa.” Private spoke up.
“Unlikely Private, I think there’s something she’s not telling us” Skipper said agreeing with Kowalski as usual.
“I just can’t figure out what it is.” He continued. He knew it would drive him mad until he figured out what she meant.
As Marlene walked away she could hear the confusion she left in her wake. Skipper wasn’t the only one who knew that a simple statement could drive him mad.
