December 29, 1992

2045 Hours (8:45 PM)

AS Iceberg, Near The Antarctic Ocean

They knew that it was risky but what's gonna happen next is beyond them. If they're lucky, they could get a fair trial. If not, then it's either they face the firing squad or die from leopard seal exile. But, if their old friend is here then that means he has good news for them. As they think of multiple possibilities that could happen, a sailor comes in their cell with his arms behind him, "You three are requested to do a private meeting." He then turns around to leave them.

"Wait!" Sharpy called out and the sailor stops on his tracks. "Who requested us?" He asked.

The sailor sighs and looks at the three of them one more time, "It was requested by General Henry." He then waddles away and leaves the three penguins with their cell door opened.

"It's either we face the music or escape from our friend's request." Said Spotty as she stands up and heads towards the opening. She puts his flipper on the door and faces her family. "Come on guys, Henry's a good man and we could trust him. We all know that."

"Guess you're right." Said Skipper. When he thought his parents were dead the General was the only one who he trusted back then. So there's no saying no. "All right, let's go."

"Guess there's no saying no." Sharpy stands up and puts his flipper on Skipper's shoulder. "What faith has in store for us we will face it as a family." Both Skipper and Spotty nods and the three penguins then heads to the bridge.

As the three penguins open the door they see their old friend just finishing up a conversation with a higher officer on the phone. "Yes sir, I swear that their lives will be worth it." There was a short pause before he continues, "Sir, he is the only one who has experienced the recent threat. That dolphin is a very different adversary than the others. And I promise you that I will push them to the limit." There was another pause before he continues, "Thank you, sir. Good bye." He then hangs up the phone and faces the three penguins. "Skipper, Loryn, John, you guys are reinstated to your former ranks in the Military of Antarctica." The three penguins gasped as they heard the news. "Yup, you guys are back in the game. I have to pull a lot of strings to put you get you guys back."

The three penguins then salutes in front of the General, "Thank you sir." Said Skipper.

"At ease." General Henry ordered and the three penguins puts their flippers down.

Spotty clears her throat, 'If it's all right with you if I ask one question." Henry nodded in approval, "Really, how did you get us back in Antarctica."

He then chuckles as he shakes his head, "I think that information will remain classified." He then grabs a folder with Skipper's name on the tab. "Lieutenant, in this folder are classified documents for your eyes only, it's a very top secret document." Henry then waddles to the doorway and looks at the three penguins one more time. "Stay relaxed for a while, and Skipper, visit me at the conference room at D Deck after reading the document." He then heads out, leaving the three penguins alone.

Skipper thinks in deep and his memories of a quiet life returns to him, and even Marlene. He cares deeply about his close friend that he always thinks of her everyday. He looks at his parents and opens his beak to break the long silence, "Dad, can I have a moment alone?" He requested.

"Skipper," Sharpy puts his flipper on tops of Skipper's shoulder, "what ever is in that folder I want you to take it in. It may be an opportunity of a life time."

Skipper gulps and faces his parents, "But what about our lives in the Central Park Zoo? And what about Kidsmas? And what about..." He pauses for a couple of seconds. "What about Marlene?"

Sharpy pats Skipper's head while Spotty was hugging him, "I promise that we'll take care of her and the zoo."

He does want to know if Marlene's safe, and the entire zoo. He has to make this sacrifice here and now. Skipper nods as he hugs his parents and say, "Thanks, mom. Thanks, dad. I promise that whatever this is I'll finish it as soon as possible."

2110 (9:10 PM)

Conference Room, AS Iceberg

Skipper enters the room and salutes at the General. "Lieutenant Skipper, reporting for duty sir."

General Henry gestures his flipper for Skipper to come in. He pulls out a couple of documents from his table as he looks at Skipper, "So, you read the file, right? Now you know why he can't be in."

Skipper replies with a nod as he puts down the folder he was given earlier, "A task force, huh? But why me? Why can't it be my dad or mom or Adams? Of all the great soldiers in Antarctica you chose me, but why?"

"Remember your little op in Denmark? The op where you convinced me to switch the lights to green?" Henry asked as he puts one of the folders down. "Do you also remember the op where you captured the Red Squirrel's brother? You were determined to get your men out there, even if a life was taken that day." He puts the other folder down and continues, "That's why I chose you. Not for your judgement, but for your instincts."

Skipper sighs, "I'm still shocked about Andrews' statement. How long?"

The General replies, "Four or five years in the North Pole Prison. And Task Force Snowcone will be monitored constantly and will be under the command of Sergeant Michael Adams."

The young penguin smiles and chuckles as he heard his friend's promotion, "Sergeant, huh? That's one way to get him in the leadership road. But what's with the new task force?"

"The Council needs a team reliable and dependable on our current threat and future threats alike. We need that leadership in you to lead a special elite task force. We're calling it: Task Force Penguin!" Said Henry as he holds up a the banner with the symbol of a penguin eating a fish.

Skipper studies the insignia and sighs, if their going to be an elite task force they a name that can slice open the the fear to the enemies' eyes. "Sorry sir, but I think that name and insignia's just going to be a laughable joke at the enemy. We need something else."

The General sighs and crumples the emblem and throws it at the trash bin. "You know what? What about you give me the name and draw your own emblem. You're going to be a leader so you should be the one who should do this." He then gives Skipper a pencil and a piece of paper.

Of course Skipper doesn't want the name to be awkward and funny but he knows deep in his gut that the name is just waiting for him. A couple of minutes later the perfect emblem. He starts to draw an emblem and inside is an 'X'. He then puts a lightning bolt on one side of the 'X' and draws another one across. He draws in a bullet on top of the 'X' and the number one on the bottom. But there's still something missing. A sign of a warrior. A sword. He then draws the sword in in the emblem. "We'll call it SWORD. Task Force SWORD!" He then shows the team emblem to the General.

Henry scratches his head as he studies the emblem trying to figure out what the symbols mean. The 'X', sword, bullet, lighting bolts, and the number 1. "Can you please explain this to me, Lieutenant?"

Skipper takes a deep breath and looks at his own creation, "Sir, first, the lightning bolt stands for: 'completing the mission as fast as possible'. Second, the number '1' stands for: 'top priority is always comes first'. Thirdly, the 'X' means: 'no compromise'. Fourth, the bullet stands for: 'discipline'. And lastly, the sword stands for: 'nobility'. You know, knights are noble to their king and kingdom."

"But what does 'SWORD' stand for?" Henry asked.

The young penguin grabs a marker and starts to write on the white board.

S. - Special

W. - Weapons and

O. - Operations

R. - Ready for

D. - Danger

Skipper puts down the marker and lets the words speaks for Henry observes the name and the emblem and chuckles as he puts his flipper on Skipper's shoulder, "This is a nice one, Lieutenant. Look, I'm going to the the tip-top about this, and you do know that this is a long ride home, right? You can still see Andrews in brig." He then grabs a piece of paper and passes it to Skipper, "That's the clearance for you to go talk to him."

"Thanks, sir." Skipper then takes the paper and salutes. "I'll make every second count."

2115 Hours

"So, are they keeping you comfy?" Skipper approaches the cell to confront his old friend.

Andrews stands up and smiles, "You know, it's kinda weird that I'm in here and you're out there. "

The leader sighs thinking what would've happened if he just accepted his fate. But his parents interfered. If it wasn't for them he wouldn't able to meet all those kind zoo animals back in New York. "Andrews, I know that you didn't have a choice. I mean, I would also do it if that dolphin pushed the right buttons."

Andrews nods, "Yeah, that's why you still have hope. You killed those human scientists because you were blinded and you don't know what you were doing. Me, I shot Kowalski's unit, and other rescue units, into bits without mercy." He leans on the bars and slides down to the floor with his back facing Skipper. "Can you promise me that if you go after that crazy dolphin, put a bullet in his head for me."

Skipper nods, "I promise, brother. He'll regret meeting us." He then backs away to the door and looks at his close friend one more time, "I think I can ask the General if he can make your stay a bit comfortable."

"Thanks, sir. I owe you one." Andrews replied.

Skipper then waddles out of the room with a smile on his beak. At least he knows that his friend is okay and well. But he then remembers the team that he needs to put together. "Hm, am I really up for this again?" He asked himself as he lays down on his bunk while thinking everything that has happened.

To Be Continued...