Chapter 3-Military Suicide
“Oh…wow.”
Skipper followed the team for miles and never exactly knew where they were going to. What was their base? Was it a snowdrift অথবা something? It was quite the opposite though. It was a HUGE ship. That must explain how the penguins got there. It was bigger than a তিমি and was incredible. He made sure they all disappeared inside before coming in closer. He walked right up to the entrance and stared up at it.
The Well Deserved. The ship couldn’t have a better name. HE had to get inside somehow. This was only the outer corner of an entire ship. The colony was probably worried about him, but what did that matter. He had a ship to explore. Then again, what if they caught him? Would they be mad? Truthfully, he didn’t care. HE almost got devoured দ্বারা a সীল and got into a fight with the Lieutenant and he was afraid of this? Military officials didn’t fear anything. He braced himself before walking inside. He walked up the giant ladder that led to the door and reached the top. The door was left open a crack and he didn’t hear anything going on inside. Skipper moved the door slowly. Then, it creaked. It creaked so loud that he almost had to dive for cover. When it quickly silenced, he froze and listened carefully. He didn’t hear anything অথবা see the shadows of approaching penguins on the hallway walls. It was big enough to squeeze through so he got in. He made it this far and was very proud of that. Now…where were they?
Skipper wasn’t quite sure where to go. He walked down the hallway and pressed himself to the wall. He walked along for a long time until he wasn’t quite sure where he was. This ship was so huge that he got হারিয়ে গেছে in it. Now…he found a room. The door was tightly closed and he was aware not to open it. He stood up tall and peered through the window. That explained why he never ran into anyone. All eight of them were sleeping. There were eight neat bunks carved into the দেওয়াল and a পেংগুইন curled up in each one. They didn’t look that comfortable, but maybe that was a military thing. He wanted to go inside, but that was a screwball idea. They would probably wake up. Well…then again, they WERE asleep after all. HE couldn’t hide out forever. He wanted to যোগদান them আরো than anything and how could he যোগদান if he never existed? What if they took this ship and left in the morning? Nothing could be worse than that. He tried to open it slightly and flinched, waiting for it to squeak. It didn’t and opened nice and silently. He carefully placed one foot in the room
BEEP! BEEP!
Skipper leaped back in horror when he set off the alarm. Infra red trap. Of course. Before he could move, a giant plastic বাক্স fell from the ceiling and caged him inside. He just had to open the stupid door and come in.
The penguins’ eyes shot open and they sprang out of their beds. They formed a perfect military row in front of the cage. Skipper backed to the back of the little cage and wished he could melt into the floor.
“Skipper!” Kowalski exclaimed joyfully. “What are আপনি doing here?”
“That’s a great question, Skipper,” TJ added and narrowed his eyes. “What are আপনি doing in our base? The one that আপনি intruded on without our permission. The one that আপনি tried to spy on?”
“I’m starting to get annoyed দ্বারা this little stalker,” Austin ব্যক্ত to TJ. “Just throw him out.”
“Don’t do that,” Kowalski pleaded.
All eyes were on Kowalski. “I think he was just curious where we came from অথবা something, right Skipper?”
“Yeah. That’s what happened.”
He tried to lift the বাক্স but it was useless. He wondered how long they would leave him in here for. Kowalski made a সরানো to help him, but Austin held out a wing to stop him. Kowalski really was a true friend.
“You seem interested in us,” TJ continued. “Why is that? Don’t আপনি want to go to your own প্রথমপাতা instead of…well…ours?”
Tell them! আপনি have been rehearsing this for an hour. Just say it now.
“Did আপনি ever think that perhaps he wants to যোগদান our military?” the female পেংগুইন suggested.
TJ shook his head with disappointment and pulled her closer to him. “Oh, Lyla, what am I ever going to do with you? That is the craziest thing I have ever heard. আপনি seriously think this little পেংগুইন could EVER become one of us?”
“I didn’t see আপনি rescue Kowalski,” she answered smartly.
“Um, well… Oh. Whatever. The point is, he won’t want to যোগদান our elite force.”
“Actually, that is why I’m here,” he replied meekly. “I…do want to become part of your military.”
“Hmm…” TJ was really thinking about it! Austin seemed so shocked that the captain was even thinking about letting him join. “You seriously think আপনি have what it takes?”
“Yes,” Skipper answered with much needed confidence. “I do.”
“He won’t last two hours with us,” Lieutenant Austin protested. He surely didn’t want Skipper in the military with a passion.
“We will see about that,” TJ decided. “Welcome to the group, new private.”
Skipper could barely believe it. Only one visit to the ship and now he was the private of this military team. He was just like Kowalski now. He didn’t need to envy Kowalski anymore. He caught on from the পূর্ববর্তি actions and saluted TJ loyally. He felt like life had meaning again.
“Well, new recruit, get some shut-eye,” TJ ব্যক্ত and lifted the বাক্স off his head. “We will find out how আপনি survive tomorrow. Your first training day.”
“Okay…Training for what?”
“Combat of course,” TJ replied and slapped him on the back. “We are trained for life and death service, young private. আপনি must always be prepared for battle. We start in the morning.”
A few of the penguins congratulated him for getting in and then followed TJ to their bunks. Kowalski was bouncing excitedly around Skipper and they happily high fived.
“You got in!” squealed Kowalski. “I can’t believe আপনি actually came here. আপনি are a private just like me and the odds of that are…I don’t even know.”
“Um…yeah this seems cool and all,” Skipper agreed. “You go to বিছানা this early at night?”
“Of course. We have to get up early in the morning. I hope we can train together tomorrow. It will be so fun.”
“I bet it will. So…how does training work exactly? What do we do?”
“According to some backround knowledge and past experiences, I predict there is a probable chance we will be doing fitness warm-ups. Trust me, they are not pleasant but they are required from all new recruits. We better get to sleep.”
Kowalski leaped into his bunk and burrowed into the covers. Skipper watched from a distance and realized something. There wasn’t a bunk for him.
“Oh, I forgot there is a shortage now that আপনি came,” Kowalski offered generously. “Here, take my bed. I don’t mind sleeping on the floor.”
“Don’t bother,” Skipper replied. “I can sleep on the floor just fine.”
“Soldiers, present!”
In only a matter of seconds, all the soldiers stood in a perfect military row in front of their leader, saluting him loyally. He looked at everyone down the row until he reached the end. One soldier was missing…one private to be exact. He glanced over at the corner and saw Skipper buried in the blankets and pillows on the floor.
“I’ll handle this,” he ব্যক্ত casually.
TJ was definitely prepared for this. He already had a nice bucket of ice water sitting out. He picked it up and dumped it all over Skipper. His eyes shot open with alarm and he cowered against the দেওয়াল with shock.
“What’d I do?” he whimpered so his voice cracked.
“Wake up, private!” TJ ordered. “There is no lolly-gagging in the military. Now is training time for আপনি and Kowalski while the rest of us go scouting. Austin, train the apprentices for me while I lead the scouting partrol.”
Austin nodded. Skipper was so cold he curled up in a ball for warmth. No, this couldn’t be happening. The other penguins were leaving meaning he had to stay with Mr. Halloweentown here. It couldn’t be so bad. Kowalski would ভালুক it with him. First, it started easy. The three of them watched the others leave the ship. Once the door closed, Austin turned on them.
“Give me 20!”
Skipper had no idea what to do. He watched as Kowalski threw himself to the ground and began doing perfect push-ups. Strange exercise and Skipper copied. He tried going down a little at first until he was even with Kowalski. Kowalski was shaking and this was effort for him, but to Skipper this was plain easy. He finished long before Kowalski and felt proud. Was this the worst the military had to offer?
“Tired yet?” Austin wondered with amusement.
“No,” he answered honestly.
“20 আরো then. Both of you.”
Skipper shrugged. Kowalski gave him a hateful look and then they kept going. They reached 40 and Kowalski was practically dying on the floor. Skipper wasn’t tired yet. He must be really good at this if he was succeeding over Kowalski.
“Kowalski, this is pathetic,” Austin pointed out hurtfully. “I want to see more, man!”
“More!” Kowalski whined.
“Yes, more. Skipper here is doing much better than you.”
Austin’s praise felt like a medal to Skipper. He rolled over and breathed deeply. Kowalski was dying পরবর্তি to him, trying to do আরো push-ups. Of course Skipper felt sorry for poor little Kowalski, but apparently the war between them was over and Austin was treating him with the same respect as he did for Kowalski. Finally, they finished with that.
“I hate you,” Kowalski growled, even though he didn’t mean it.
Austin was way ahead of the game. He beckoned them to follow him outside and on to the deck. The ship was so long that they could barely see the other side. The stopwatch he carefully toyed with was not a good sign according to Kowalski.
“Other side and back,” he ordered. “Go!”
Skipper followed Kowalski. They jumped down and slid on their bellies to cover আরো distance and would leap up and jump again when they slowed down. It seemed to take forever until they reached the other side and then made it back again. The stopwatch clicked and they finished at the same time .They were both equally good at this. They stopped with relief.
“What are আপনি two marshmallows doing?” Austin thundered at them. “I need to see fifteen আরো right now.”
They were so scared that they bolted off without question. 15? Forget the thoughts from earlier, Austin was trying to kill them. Of course, according to Kowalski, this was perfectly normal.
“You do this every day?” panted Skipper.
“Pretty much,” he replied. “I think it is worse since আপনি are with me. These stupid exercises are to make us আরো fit.”
The suicides couldn’t have a better name. দ্বারা the time they finished, they were so tired that the collapsed on the floor wheezing. AT least they were finished now. Both privates felt like জেলি and wanted to lay there all day. Skipper buried himself in s snow drift to cool off. Austin disappeared for a while until they were recovered. He returned effortlessly carrying two cinder blocks and ice water for the dehydrated apprentices. They sucked down their water gratefully and almost gagged up their water when a cinder block was dropped in front of them. They looked so light when Austin carried them, but Skipper couldn’t even lift it off the ground. Kowalski tried too, but got no better success.
“Those cinder blocks aren’t going to push themselves. Take these blocks to…” Skipper and Kowalski looked up slowly. “Up the mast and to the top.”
“We can’t do that,” Skipper whined. “We can’t even lift them.”
“Figure it out,” Austin answered boredly. “Get going.”
Kowalski and Skipper exchanged glances and then tried to সরানো their blocks. They could scoot them easy enough across straight ground, but climbing the mast? That was straight up and like a million feet up in the air. They reached the mast and just stared up at it.
“Kowalski, options.”
Kowalski tried to scribble out a solution on a notebook. “Well, we are at a 90 degree angle and these blocks way about 20.25 pounds each so we can’t chuck them…I don’t know. For once in my life, I don’t know.”
Kowalski was right about that. They couldn’t life the blocks with their wings, but perhaps if they had some help. Skipper sparked an idea when he saw some rope in a pile. He picked it up and studied the length. IT was sturdy and long. He tied an end to the cinder block and the other end around himself. Now perhaps he would be strong enough to climb the mast and take the block without impossible effort.
“Great idea, Skipper,” Kowalski ব্যক্ত brightly and did exactly what Skipper did. They were ready to climb.
They pounced on the mast and began to climb up without effort. Once their ropes ran out of slack they tried to pull up their blocks. Skipper began to shake with effort and was too tired to go on. He searched for something to grab on to and just hung there for a few moments before going on. He was going very slowly, but he still was making some progress. It took what seemed like hours but he made it halfway. He looked back and noticed Kowalski was WAY down there. He was slowly sliding down the pole. Perhaps Kowalski, the weakest link, could use a little help. Leaving his cinder block on the halfway point, he inched down the pole after Kowalski.
“I can’t do it,” he panted tiredly. “Help me out?”
“Sure. I like team players.”
While Kowalski pulled it like a sled dog, Skipper pushed it from behind and the effort was much easier. They made it to the halfway point and took a break. Then they moved on. Skipper finally saw the শীর্ষ right ahead and heaved himself and the cinder block up. He had to pull Kowalski up, but they both made it.
Austin watched them from below. Skipper was so proud of himself for doing so great at this. He was a natural.
“You can come down now,” he decided. “And take those cinder blocks with you.”
Fitness exercise was terrible and grueling, but they finally made it through. After the cinder block climb they had to dig trenches in the snow outside. They practically dug to the center of the earth before they were allowed to stop. Finally, they came back on the ship deck. Obviously, Skipper’s trench was much deeper than Kowalski’s. The exercises and torture was enough to make anyone want to leave the military, but Skipper liked it. Every new job was another task that Skipper could ace and look great.
“You two feel like জেলি yet?” Austin asked the two wheezing apprentices lying on the floor.
“Uh-huh,” Kowalski wheezed.
“We don’t have time to waste. আপনি two stop taking a dirt nap because it is time for the real training to begin.”
“Uh…okay,” Skipper and Kowalski moaned and slowly rose to their feet.
All of a sudden Austin growled with annoyance and leaped on them. They were thrown down to the ground and he pinned down both of them at the same time. They squirmed to get up but he effortlessly kept them down.
“Pathetic,” Austin insulted them. “Simply pathetic. আপনি two zeros need to be prepared for attack, not whine like kittens.”
What’s a kitten? Skipper thought.
“The first thing every soldier needs to know is how to escape being pinned down,” he instructed them. “Kowalski, আপনি clearly already know this. If I was an enemy…well…let’s just say I would of sliced out your throats দ্বারা now and আপনি two would have been too lazy to do anything about it.”
Skipper and Kowalski shuddered with disgust and finally got up. They waited for instruction while tensed up in case they were surprise attacked again.
“Nothing is better than a demonstration,” Austin pointed out. “Skipper, attack Kowalski.”
“You want me to…attack,” Skipper confirmed unsurely.
“That’s what I said, isn’t it? Kowalski is way আরো experience than আপনি so আপনি should learn a little something from a real fight.”
“We have never done this before,” Kowalski ব্যক্ত and made sure to write that down. “Is there a reason for this change of chain reaction?”
“That’s insubordination, soldier. আপনি very well know why. Because of that pathetic little ‘attack’ on the ice yesterday. When Skipper tries to pin আপনি down, just do what you’re trained to do.”
“Sorry to be insubordinate, but Skipper probably doesn’t know what to do.”
Thank you, Skipper thought gratefully.
“Then Skipper is perfect for you,” Austin insulted. “Unless আপনি want to fight me.”
“On সেকেন্ড thought, Skipper is perfect.”
Oh, what to do? Skipper had no idea how to assault anyone. Kowalski was already waiting for him to attack and he was going to get smoked without a doubt. Use your instincts, Skipper. Just use your instincts. Maybe Kowalski will turn on the old think melon again and আপনি will have a chance.
Kowalski’s topaz eyes were locked on him and waited for him to react somehow. He looked directly above Kowalski’s head and stepped অগ্রবর্তী with fake interest like there was really something up there worth looking at. This time Kowalski was in his eye sight so this wouldn’t turn out like the little epidemic out on the ice. Kowalski was a bit interested and looked up. Skipper took advantage of that just like Lieutenant Austin took advantage of him. He bowled right into Kowalski and they landed on the floor. Kowalski suddenly flipped up so Skipper flew off. Before he even landed Kowalski went for him again. He quickly rolled to the side and retreated a few steps. He was completely relying on instincts and wasn’t even thinking about his smart actions. Kowalski shot out and jabbed him repeatedly everywhere until he হারিয়ে গেছে balance. While retreating back, Skipper now was ready for Kowalski’s jabbing attacks. He reached out, snatched his opponent’s flipper and threw Kowalski on the ground. He tried to pounce on Kowalski while he struggled to get up, but apparently that was exactly what he wanted. He flipped up suddenly and then, before Skipper could even think, he was thrown to the ground দ্বারা Kowalski. The fight was over and Kowalski let him go.
“Great use of instinct আপনি two,” Austin complimented them. “And you, Skipper, just became a private and আপনি are equally matched to Kowalski. আপনি have been succeeding in everything we have done today. A true prodigy.”
“Nice,” Kowalski agreed.
The two of them high fived again. Skipper knew he was good at this, but no prodigy. Then again, he didn’t expect to win a fight anyway. He was lucky to survive so long though. This was a torturous life to those who didn’t think of the rewards, but this was great to Skipper. He could imagine the compliments he would get from TJ and the rest of the gang when they saw how great he was getting along. He had a feeling that all these exercises were just to see how long he would stay before running home. Well, Skipper was still here and planned on staying.
“Oh…wow.”
Skipper followed the team for miles and never exactly knew where they were going to. What was their base? Was it a snowdrift অথবা something? It was quite the opposite though. It was a HUGE ship. That must explain how the penguins got there. It was bigger than a তিমি and was incredible. He made sure they all disappeared inside before coming in closer. He walked right up to the entrance and stared up at it.
The Well Deserved. The ship couldn’t have a better name. HE had to get inside somehow. This was only the outer corner of an entire ship. The colony was probably worried about him, but what did that matter. He had a ship to explore. Then again, what if they caught him? Would they be mad? Truthfully, he didn’t care. HE almost got devoured দ্বারা a সীল and got into a fight with the Lieutenant and he was afraid of this? Military officials didn’t fear anything. He braced himself before walking inside. He walked up the giant ladder that led to the door and reached the top. The door was left open a crack and he didn’t hear anything going on inside. Skipper moved the door slowly. Then, it creaked. It creaked so loud that he almost had to dive for cover. When it quickly silenced, he froze and listened carefully. He didn’t hear anything অথবা see the shadows of approaching penguins on the hallway walls. It was big enough to squeeze through so he got in. He made it this far and was very proud of that. Now…where were they?
Skipper wasn’t quite sure where to go. He walked down the hallway and pressed himself to the wall. He walked along for a long time until he wasn’t quite sure where he was. This ship was so huge that he got হারিয়ে গেছে in it. Now…he found a room. The door was tightly closed and he was aware not to open it. He stood up tall and peered through the window. That explained why he never ran into anyone. All eight of them were sleeping. There were eight neat bunks carved into the দেওয়াল and a পেংগুইন curled up in each one. They didn’t look that comfortable, but maybe that was a military thing. He wanted to go inside, but that was a screwball idea. They would probably wake up. Well…then again, they WERE asleep after all. HE couldn’t hide out forever. He wanted to যোগদান them আরো than anything and how could he যোগদান if he never existed? What if they took this ship and left in the morning? Nothing could be worse than that. He tried to open it slightly and flinched, waiting for it to squeak. It didn’t and opened nice and silently. He carefully placed one foot in the room
BEEP! BEEP!
Skipper leaped back in horror when he set off the alarm. Infra red trap. Of course. Before he could move, a giant plastic বাক্স fell from the ceiling and caged him inside. He just had to open the stupid door and come in.
The penguins’ eyes shot open and they sprang out of their beds. They formed a perfect military row in front of the cage. Skipper backed to the back of the little cage and wished he could melt into the floor.
“Skipper!” Kowalski exclaimed joyfully. “What are আপনি doing here?”
“That’s a great question, Skipper,” TJ added and narrowed his eyes. “What are আপনি doing in our base? The one that আপনি intruded on without our permission. The one that আপনি tried to spy on?”
“I’m starting to get annoyed দ্বারা this little stalker,” Austin ব্যক্ত to TJ. “Just throw him out.”
“Don’t do that,” Kowalski pleaded.
All eyes were on Kowalski. “I think he was just curious where we came from অথবা something, right Skipper?”
“Yeah. That’s what happened.”
He tried to lift the বাক্স but it was useless. He wondered how long they would leave him in here for. Kowalski made a সরানো to help him, but Austin held out a wing to stop him. Kowalski really was a true friend.
“You seem interested in us,” TJ continued. “Why is that? Don’t আপনি want to go to your own প্রথমপাতা instead of…well…ours?”
Tell them! আপনি have been rehearsing this for an hour. Just say it now.
“Did আপনি ever think that perhaps he wants to যোগদান our military?” the female পেংগুইন suggested.
TJ shook his head with disappointment and pulled her closer to him. “Oh, Lyla, what am I ever going to do with you? That is the craziest thing I have ever heard. আপনি seriously think this little পেংগুইন could EVER become one of us?”
“I didn’t see আপনি rescue Kowalski,” she answered smartly.
“Um, well… Oh. Whatever. The point is, he won’t want to যোগদান our elite force.”
“Actually, that is why I’m here,” he replied meekly. “I…do want to become part of your military.”
“Hmm…” TJ was really thinking about it! Austin seemed so shocked that the captain was even thinking about letting him join. “You seriously think আপনি have what it takes?”
“Yes,” Skipper answered with much needed confidence. “I do.”
“He won’t last two hours with us,” Lieutenant Austin protested. He surely didn’t want Skipper in the military with a passion.
“We will see about that,” TJ decided. “Welcome to the group, new private.”
Skipper could barely believe it. Only one visit to the ship and now he was the private of this military team. He was just like Kowalski now. He didn’t need to envy Kowalski anymore. He caught on from the পূর্ববর্তি actions and saluted TJ loyally. He felt like life had meaning again.
“Well, new recruit, get some shut-eye,” TJ ব্যক্ত and lifted the বাক্স off his head. “We will find out how আপনি survive tomorrow. Your first training day.”
“Okay…Training for what?”
“Combat of course,” TJ replied and slapped him on the back. “We are trained for life and death service, young private. আপনি must always be prepared for battle. We start in the morning.”
A few of the penguins congratulated him for getting in and then followed TJ to their bunks. Kowalski was bouncing excitedly around Skipper and they happily high fived.
“You got in!” squealed Kowalski. “I can’t believe আপনি actually came here. আপনি are a private just like me and the odds of that are…I don’t even know.”
“Um…yeah this seems cool and all,” Skipper agreed. “You go to বিছানা this early at night?”
“Of course. We have to get up early in the morning. I hope we can train together tomorrow. It will be so fun.”
“I bet it will. So…how does training work exactly? What do we do?”
“According to some backround knowledge and past experiences, I predict there is a probable chance we will be doing fitness warm-ups. Trust me, they are not pleasant but they are required from all new recruits. We better get to sleep.”
Kowalski leaped into his bunk and burrowed into the covers. Skipper watched from a distance and realized something. There wasn’t a bunk for him.
“Oh, I forgot there is a shortage now that আপনি came,” Kowalski offered generously. “Here, take my bed. I don’t mind sleeping on the floor.”
“Don’t bother,” Skipper replied. “I can sleep on the floor just fine.”
“Soldiers, present!”
In only a matter of seconds, all the soldiers stood in a perfect military row in front of their leader, saluting him loyally. He looked at everyone down the row until he reached the end. One soldier was missing…one private to be exact. He glanced over at the corner and saw Skipper buried in the blankets and pillows on the floor.
“I’ll handle this,” he ব্যক্ত casually.
TJ was definitely prepared for this. He already had a nice bucket of ice water sitting out. He picked it up and dumped it all over Skipper. His eyes shot open with alarm and he cowered against the দেওয়াল with shock.
“What’d I do?” he whimpered so his voice cracked.
“Wake up, private!” TJ ordered. “There is no lolly-gagging in the military. Now is training time for আপনি and Kowalski while the rest of us go scouting. Austin, train the apprentices for me while I lead the scouting partrol.”
Austin nodded. Skipper was so cold he curled up in a ball for warmth. No, this couldn’t be happening. The other penguins were leaving meaning he had to stay with Mr. Halloweentown here. It couldn’t be so bad. Kowalski would ভালুক it with him. First, it started easy. The three of them watched the others leave the ship. Once the door closed, Austin turned on them.
“Give me 20!”
Skipper had no idea what to do. He watched as Kowalski threw himself to the ground and began doing perfect push-ups. Strange exercise and Skipper copied. He tried going down a little at first until he was even with Kowalski. Kowalski was shaking and this was effort for him, but to Skipper this was plain easy. He finished long before Kowalski and felt proud. Was this the worst the military had to offer?
“Tired yet?” Austin wondered with amusement.
“No,” he answered honestly.
“20 আরো then. Both of you.”
Skipper shrugged. Kowalski gave him a hateful look and then they kept going. They reached 40 and Kowalski was practically dying on the floor. Skipper wasn’t tired yet. He must be really good at this if he was succeeding over Kowalski.
“Kowalski, this is pathetic,” Austin pointed out hurtfully. “I want to see more, man!”
“More!” Kowalski whined.
“Yes, more. Skipper here is doing much better than you.”
Austin’s praise felt like a medal to Skipper. He rolled over and breathed deeply. Kowalski was dying পরবর্তি to him, trying to do আরো push-ups. Of course Skipper felt sorry for poor little Kowalski, but apparently the war between them was over and Austin was treating him with the same respect as he did for Kowalski. Finally, they finished with that.
“I hate you,” Kowalski growled, even though he didn’t mean it.
Austin was way ahead of the game. He beckoned them to follow him outside and on to the deck. The ship was so long that they could barely see the other side. The stopwatch he carefully toyed with was not a good sign according to Kowalski.
“Other side and back,” he ordered. “Go!”
Skipper followed Kowalski. They jumped down and slid on their bellies to cover আরো distance and would leap up and jump again when they slowed down. It seemed to take forever until they reached the other side and then made it back again. The stopwatch clicked and they finished at the same time .They were both equally good at this. They stopped with relief.
“What are আপনি two marshmallows doing?” Austin thundered at them. “I need to see fifteen আরো right now.”
They were so scared that they bolted off without question. 15? Forget the thoughts from earlier, Austin was trying to kill them. Of course, according to Kowalski, this was perfectly normal.
“You do this every day?” panted Skipper.
“Pretty much,” he replied. “I think it is worse since আপনি are with me. These stupid exercises are to make us আরো fit.”
The suicides couldn’t have a better name. দ্বারা the time they finished, they were so tired that the collapsed on the floor wheezing. AT least they were finished now. Both privates felt like জেলি and wanted to lay there all day. Skipper buried himself in s snow drift to cool off. Austin disappeared for a while until they were recovered. He returned effortlessly carrying two cinder blocks and ice water for the dehydrated apprentices. They sucked down their water gratefully and almost gagged up their water when a cinder block was dropped in front of them. They looked so light when Austin carried them, but Skipper couldn’t even lift it off the ground. Kowalski tried too, but got no better success.
“Those cinder blocks aren’t going to push themselves. Take these blocks to…” Skipper and Kowalski looked up slowly. “Up the mast and to the top.”
“We can’t do that,” Skipper whined. “We can’t even lift them.”
“Figure it out,” Austin answered boredly. “Get going.”
Kowalski and Skipper exchanged glances and then tried to সরানো their blocks. They could scoot them easy enough across straight ground, but climbing the mast? That was straight up and like a million feet up in the air. They reached the mast and just stared up at it.
“Kowalski, options.”
Kowalski tried to scribble out a solution on a notebook. “Well, we are at a 90 degree angle and these blocks way about 20.25 pounds each so we can’t chuck them…I don’t know. For once in my life, I don’t know.”
Kowalski was right about that. They couldn’t life the blocks with their wings, but perhaps if they had some help. Skipper sparked an idea when he saw some rope in a pile. He picked it up and studied the length. IT was sturdy and long. He tied an end to the cinder block and the other end around himself. Now perhaps he would be strong enough to climb the mast and take the block without impossible effort.
“Great idea, Skipper,” Kowalski ব্যক্ত brightly and did exactly what Skipper did. They were ready to climb.
They pounced on the mast and began to climb up without effort. Once their ropes ran out of slack they tried to pull up their blocks. Skipper began to shake with effort and was too tired to go on. He searched for something to grab on to and just hung there for a few moments before going on. He was going very slowly, but he still was making some progress. It took what seemed like hours but he made it halfway. He looked back and noticed Kowalski was WAY down there. He was slowly sliding down the pole. Perhaps Kowalski, the weakest link, could use a little help. Leaving his cinder block on the halfway point, he inched down the pole after Kowalski.
“I can’t do it,” he panted tiredly. “Help me out?”
“Sure. I like team players.”
While Kowalski pulled it like a sled dog, Skipper pushed it from behind and the effort was much easier. They made it to the halfway point and took a break. Then they moved on. Skipper finally saw the শীর্ষ right ahead and heaved himself and the cinder block up. He had to pull Kowalski up, but they both made it.
Austin watched them from below. Skipper was so proud of himself for doing so great at this. He was a natural.
“You can come down now,” he decided. “And take those cinder blocks with you.”
Fitness exercise was terrible and grueling, but they finally made it through. After the cinder block climb they had to dig trenches in the snow outside. They practically dug to the center of the earth before they were allowed to stop. Finally, they came back on the ship deck. Obviously, Skipper’s trench was much deeper than Kowalski’s. The exercises and torture was enough to make anyone want to leave the military, but Skipper liked it. Every new job was another task that Skipper could ace and look great.
“You two feel like জেলি yet?” Austin asked the two wheezing apprentices lying on the floor.
“Uh-huh,” Kowalski wheezed.
“We don’t have time to waste. আপনি two stop taking a dirt nap because it is time for the real training to begin.”
“Uh…okay,” Skipper and Kowalski moaned and slowly rose to their feet.
All of a sudden Austin growled with annoyance and leaped on them. They were thrown down to the ground and he pinned down both of them at the same time. They squirmed to get up but he effortlessly kept them down.
“Pathetic,” Austin insulted them. “Simply pathetic. আপনি two zeros need to be prepared for attack, not whine like kittens.”
What’s a kitten? Skipper thought.
“The first thing every soldier needs to know is how to escape being pinned down,” he instructed them. “Kowalski, আপনি clearly already know this. If I was an enemy…well…let’s just say I would of sliced out your throats দ্বারা now and আপনি two would have been too lazy to do anything about it.”
Skipper and Kowalski shuddered with disgust and finally got up. They waited for instruction while tensed up in case they were surprise attacked again.
“Nothing is better than a demonstration,” Austin pointed out. “Skipper, attack Kowalski.”
“You want me to…attack,” Skipper confirmed unsurely.
“That’s what I said, isn’t it? Kowalski is way আরো experience than আপনি so আপনি should learn a little something from a real fight.”
“We have never done this before,” Kowalski ব্যক্ত and made sure to write that down. “Is there a reason for this change of chain reaction?”
“That’s insubordination, soldier. আপনি very well know why. Because of that pathetic little ‘attack’ on the ice yesterday. When Skipper tries to pin আপনি down, just do what you’re trained to do.”
“Sorry to be insubordinate, but Skipper probably doesn’t know what to do.”
Thank you, Skipper thought gratefully.
“Then Skipper is perfect for you,” Austin insulted. “Unless আপনি want to fight me.”
“On সেকেন্ড thought, Skipper is perfect.”
Oh, what to do? Skipper had no idea how to assault anyone. Kowalski was already waiting for him to attack and he was going to get smoked without a doubt. Use your instincts, Skipper. Just use your instincts. Maybe Kowalski will turn on the old think melon again and আপনি will have a chance.
Kowalski’s topaz eyes were locked on him and waited for him to react somehow. He looked directly above Kowalski’s head and stepped অগ্রবর্তী with fake interest like there was really something up there worth looking at. This time Kowalski was in his eye sight so this wouldn’t turn out like the little epidemic out on the ice. Kowalski was a bit interested and looked up. Skipper took advantage of that just like Lieutenant Austin took advantage of him. He bowled right into Kowalski and they landed on the floor. Kowalski suddenly flipped up so Skipper flew off. Before he even landed Kowalski went for him again. He quickly rolled to the side and retreated a few steps. He was completely relying on instincts and wasn’t even thinking about his smart actions. Kowalski shot out and jabbed him repeatedly everywhere until he হারিয়ে গেছে balance. While retreating back, Skipper now was ready for Kowalski’s jabbing attacks. He reached out, snatched his opponent’s flipper and threw Kowalski on the ground. He tried to pounce on Kowalski while he struggled to get up, but apparently that was exactly what he wanted. He flipped up suddenly and then, before Skipper could even think, he was thrown to the ground দ্বারা Kowalski. The fight was over and Kowalski let him go.
“Great use of instinct আপনি two,” Austin complimented them. “And you, Skipper, just became a private and আপনি are equally matched to Kowalski. আপনি have been succeeding in everything we have done today. A true prodigy.”
“Nice,” Kowalski agreed.
The two of them high fived again. Skipper knew he was good at this, but no prodigy. Then again, he didn’t expect to win a fight anyway. He was lucky to survive so long though. This was a torturous life to those who didn’t think of the rewards, but this was great to Skipper. He could imagine the compliments he would get from TJ and the rest of the gang when they saw how great he was getting along. He had a feeling that all these exercises were just to see how long he would stay before running home. Well, Skipper was still here and planned on staying.
