Chapter Text
November 2020
The agents didn’t want to let Blowhole know that they figured out his hideout, so they lay low for a while, too. The Penguins attended Ramona, Barry, and Kenny’s graduation. After that, they trained vigorously. Private already knew that he was going to stay with Byron and some of the younger agents to protect the medical team. He didn’t like the idea of his team being in the line of fire and he wasn’t, but Skipper told him he promised Private’s mother he would keep him as safe as possible.
“The medical team could be ambushed, which is why you guys are guarding them.” Skipper said. “I know you’re old enough for adult missions, it’s just that…sometimes I still see that scared twelve year old boy who almost drowned because of me. I see the terrified and injured youngest teammate I was hoping would get out to safety at whatever it cost me. This might not be going directly to battle and being under fire, but it’s still daunting and dangerous.”
“I’ll just have to accept that, I suppose.” Private sighed. “It is still being part of the team.”
“Exactly, the organization is currently one unified team.”
“Please be careful.” Private hugged his teammates briefly.
“We’ll try our best. You watch your back as well.”
“Aye, sir.”
He watched as the group advanced further on the island. He gripped a stun gun, something that the other agents either didn’t react to or scoffed at. Zander had called him a weakling and Sarah almost made him stay behind with the medical team. Private was secretly relieved she didn’t because he would’ve just kept insulting the boy the whole time. The silence was unnerving. They expected to hear distant shots or yelling. The birds and sea didn’t help to assuage their anxieties.
“Someone’s watching us.” Private whispered.
“How do you know?” Byron whispered back, scanning the trees and vine covered building nearby. “They cleared this section.”
“Gut instinct since we got kidnapped. I know when people are staring at me even when they’re not in my direct line of sight.” The hairs on the back of his neck prickled at the same time his ear twitched; goosebumps spread with the slight shiver down his spine. He pretended to show Byron something in a medical kit. “Tell them to get down when I say and get ready to retaliate.”
Byron casually but swiftly passed on the message. Private could tell that two of the agents were doubtful, but the others believed him. They knew Skipper relied on gut instinct, and more often than not, he’d been correct. Skipper’s incident with Hans had been a mark of the leader’s hubris. The post-recovery training the Penguins underwent involved extensive training of all their senses. While they were captured, they’d had nothing but sensory overload due to the torture inflicted upon them. In an odd way, it had conditioned them for the training they would build, and it would be Blowhole’s own undoing.
“Agent Davis, there’s no one here.” Agent Bartlett scowled. “Why are we listening to a child?”
“Keep your voice down.” Agent Ferris hissed. “Even if he’s wrong, he has the right idea. We’re in enemy territory and we need to keep our guards up.”
“After what he and his team went through, I believe him.” Byron said, observing Private’s body language. “And he’s nineteen, not a child.”
“It could be the psychotic paranoia of-”
“GET DOWN!” Private yelled.
Almost everyone followed orders immediately as shots rang out. They gathered themselves and got ready. Blowhole’s agents were coming from the water, some slipping on the loose bank. An explosion further down sounded and a shootout began with the agents who had gone in search of the madman. Private scrambled to his feet, aiming at legs and hands.
…
“General Kent, the medical team could be under fire.” An agent called.
“Oh, they are.” Sarah muttered, trying to get a shot from behind a barricade. “They were expecting us.”
“I’ll go around through the hospital and-”
“Negative, Kowalski. You three are to stay here.” George Sorenson said. “I told Kenny and Jeffery I’d bring you back alive and that’s what I’ll do.”
“If you go further in, I go with you.” Skipper said. He quickly gave his mother and siblings a stern eye. “That goes for all of you.”
“He goes, we go.” Rico said.
“We raised stubborn children, George.” Sapphire said.
“That we did.”
“Mom, if we clear a path, do you think you could snipe anyone?” Toby asked. He was about to explain what that meant when Sapphire nodded.
“I’ve done so once before.” She said to her kids’ surprise. “Let’s all try to survive this, then I’ll tell you about the time I nearly gave your father a heart attack.”
“MOVE FORWARD!” Sarah ordered.
They’d broken through the barricade. It seemed Blowhole’s agents were spread thin. It was odd, but Kowalski came up with an explanation. He explained when there was a lull in the battle.
“I don’t recognize any of them.” Kowalski said. Rico and Skipper confirmed that they didn’t recognize the agents either. “Our captors weren’t masked or disguised, it isn’t any of them. I hypothesize that he killed all of them after he was done with me and Skipper. He was hoping we’d die from the injuries. He probably knows we survived and he killed everyone who was involved in our capture and torture.”
Sarah’s walkie crackled. “Med team, is that you? Respond.”
“Med team subdued attackers.” Byron panted. “Agent Bartlett is the only fatality and several are injured, including Davis.”
“Is he able to answer a question?”
“Barely. What is it?”
“Did he recognize anyone who attacked you? Were any of those men involved in the Penguins’ kidnapping?”
A pause. Then Byron responded. “Negative. We captured and tied up the surviving enemies and unmasked them. Before being confined to a cot, Private looked at them and said he didn’t recognize them.”
“Going deeper into the hospital. Stay safe and keep a watch on the prisoners, Agent Kent.”
“Will do, General Kent.”
“Please stay with the medical team and don’t chase after me, Byron.”
There was a longer pause before Byron spoke in a strained voice. “Okay, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you too, baby.” She turned the walkie off and smiled. “He turns red and complains every time I say ‘baby’ in front of other people.”
“Welcome to my world where my kids hit the age of thirteen and everything embarrassed them.” Sapphire laughed.
“Kent, we cleared the building. No sign of Blowhole or any of his men.” Zander said, returning from scouting up ahead.
“Move forward and stay safe. Johnny, you take Rico to the lower levels, see what he can do to undermine them and try not to destroy the building or let the building destroy you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Johnny and some other agents went into the building. Sapphire went to look for a vantage point.
“Be safe, Rico.” Kowalski said, kissing him.
“You too.” Rico smiled at him before following the others.
The rest of them slowly advanced, keeping an eye out. Then there was an explosion. Several agents were tossed back. The remnants of Blowhole’s men were relying on trying to take them by surprise. Blowhole himself was scowling at them. It appeared his henchmen were running out of energy, then the second line of defense ran forward.
“KOWALSKI!”
Kowalski barely heard Skipper’s yell as a large chunk of building fell near him. In his distraction, someone hit him from behind with the butt of a gun. He ducked and whipped around, sweeping the man with his legs. There’s been another person, so Kowalski had to be quick. He stood his ground and looked at the snarling men.
“Skipper, they’ve taken the drug. Their aggression is reaching critical levels-AH!” Kowalski was locked in combat.
Skipper was trying to fight his way to his teammate. He saw Rico jump the enemy from behind, allowing Kowalski to subdue him. The fray became bullets, knives, and fists. It was messier than intended. Sarah was attempting to reach Blowhole.
When it seemed the tides were turning, Sapphire’s sniping spot was compromised and she was fighting her way down. George, Toby, and Chris went to help her. Brian and Rocky were bringing people to the medical tents. Using Rico as a distraction, someone made Kowalski think his boyfriend was about to be shot. Kowalski put his hands up and another person knocked him out from behind. Rico grabbed the gun at that same moment and realized it was out of ammo. He got angry. Seeing red, but fully aware of where he was, he took down three enemies before tending to Kowalski.
“Rico, take him to the tents.” Skipper said.
“But-”
“It’s an order, I’ll be fine.”
“Never-”
“Swim alone. I get it. But I also get not leaving a man behind. I’m not looking to get into it with Blowhole unless I have to. I’ll stay in the safe zone, now go!”
“Yes, sir.”
Rico lifted Kowalski and ran to medical. He looked back, hoping Skipper would be okay.
...
It was a dry heat that ran through Skipper’s mouth, his nose having been punched. All he could see was their enemy advancing on the organization leader. His leader. The fighting was slowing down around them, Private was semi conscious and Kowalski was out for the count and Rico was acting as a medic. Skipper stumbled out towards the remaining fight, ignoring calls for him to come back.
“KENT!”
THUMP
BANG
Ryan Zander had thrown himself at her, hoping to tackle her to safety. He took the bullet.
BANG
Blowhole shot him again. Zander coughed and wheezed.
“Sa-rah...”
Sarah gasped, trying to stop the flow of blood that she could see while attempting to locate the second wound entry. But the man was covered in injuries, she couldn’t tell what was a bullet or stab wound.
“Ryan! Ryan, speak to me.”
The man shook. “I-I am...yours...” He groaned in pain.
“You were. Be at rest.” She tried not to betray sadness.
She didn’t have much time to mourn him, she had to bide time for her soldiers to surround Blowhole. So she closed Zander’s eyes and ran.
“Running away again? Is that all you know how to do?!” Blowhole cackled.
BANG
She fell with a THUMP
She tried to pull herself back up, but was kicked back down by Blowhole. She clenched her teeth and attempted to fight back. He had more stamina and agility. He dodged and got several more hits in.
“You’re pathetic, you know that?” He said, shaking his head at her.
“At least...I’ll take you...with me...”
BANG
Blowhole clutched his stomach, it was painful. He shook his head.
“That’s it?” He taunted. “You can’t aim properly, you’re all shaky. I really wish I could just play with you until you die.”
CLICK
Nothing.
“Damn.” Sarah breathed.
“Indeed. You’re out of bullets and out of time. Maybe if you wasted less time on the shootout, you could have finished me.” He looked behind him and grinned widely. “Guess someone else will have to do.”
“No...”
Blowhole limped over to Skipper who was injured but had a gun.
“You won’t shoot.” Blowhole said softly. “I’ve spent enough time with you and your team to know you won’t do it. You’re too weak.”
“Shut up.” Skipper growled.
“Hmm, not very threatening. You’re not even aiming that at me.” Blowhole grabbed Skipper’s gun and raised it to his own face. “There. Now stop shaking and end it, unless...you don’t want to.”
Skipper couldn’t stop shaking. He felt ill. “I want it to end. I want you to stop.”
“Obviously they can’t keep me in jail, so the next best option is death. So go ahead.” Blowhole reached out a bloody hand to Skipper’s face. “You really can’t, can you? Is it the memories? Did I actually succeed in putting fear into you?”
Skipper flinched at the contact, but said nothing.
“Shoot.” Blowhole said.
BANG
Blowhole was knocked backwards onto the ground. Skipper stared wide eyed, his finger on the unpressed trigger. He lowered the gun as a shape came into his peripheral vision. He turned to see his dad standing there.
“Skipper, it’s okay, I’ll handle this.”
Blowhole cackled. “Daddy dearest to the rescue! At least someone’s competent.”
“Shut up.” George spat. “You have been the bane of our existence and a huge thorn in our sides. Everything you’ve done, it ends now.”
“What if I take you-?”
BANG
George shot Blowhole’s arm and kicked the gun away.
“You have nothing. You could have been a better person, but you decided on this path. This was only ever going to end one way, no matter who did it.”
BANG
Blowhole was dead. George signaled to someone, but Skipper’s eyes were locked onto their dead enemy.
“I had him in my sight.” Sapphire said.
“There was the possibility of Skipper getting hit. I don’t want that on your conscience. You struggled with justifying the necessity of killing an enemy years ago. You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if you’d killed Skipper.”
“Neither would you if you hit him.”
“I’d rather feel the shame and pain than you feeling it. I’d take all the pain if I could. Lord knows I’ve caused enough trouble.”
“Med here!” Rico called.
“MOM?!” Byron ran past all of them.
“Sapphire, get Skipper to his team.” George said.
Sapphire nodded and gently took the gun from her youngest, turned the safety on, and gave it to George. She put her arms around him and led him to the triage tents. Rico followed behind, silently.
…
Agents scanned the rest of the island and determined that there were no more of Blowhole’s men there. They tried to clean the place as best they could so they could leave it the way it had been before all of this. Fixing the already unstable buildings was impossible for some, so they just took everyone and everything that didn’t belong there.
Julien was told that George Sorenson was temporarily in charge of the organization until Byron had gotten all his mother’s affairs in order. It was uncertain if the twenty-one year old really felt up to leading the organization. Everyone told him not to worry and just take the time he needs to grieve and think about everything. Julien spent a sizable chunk of his funds for the damages done to North Brother Island and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He hated ‘throwing money at the problem’, but in this case, money could help wildlife organizations and conservationists. For all his complaints in high school about history in general, he didn’t want it all destroyed because of a madman. If nature took its course, then that was nature.
Andrew Davis survived his ordeal, but he would be wheelchair bound for the rest of his life. He could still speak, but it was difficult. What he could explain with writing, he did when he learned to write with his left hand. When he was found, he had bald spots on the side of his head. He’d rubbed his head to prevent rash from his beanie and to keep his fingers occupied. Frostbite had claimed his legs as he’d spent weeks focusing on just keeping himself alive by determining his arms and hands were the most important thing to maintain so he could make sure his internal organs worked, namely the brain and heart. His kidneys suffered as well as other organs.
He kept his brain active by talking to himself and to his brother’s body, trying not to lose his mind. Once his legs had started to go numb, he did sit ups and crunches to keep his upper body active and try to elevate his heart rate. Once in a while, the thought that he was lying there with his brother’s body would scare him and cause an elevation, but only for a moment. He kept his brain active and his vocals warmed in case he needed to call for help. He knew someone would find them eventually. What he hadn’t expected was that it would be two years later than he expected because Blowhole kidnapped and tortured his son’s team. Despite everything being all about medications and doctor visits, Andrew didn’t complain about it. He had his wife, son, mother, and the rest of Candace’s family. They moved into a one story cottage as Andrew couldn’t live above the bakery and their house wasn’t able to have a moving chair installed. Private would visit as often as he could.
In the moments immediately following Blowhole’s death and the defeat of his remaining henchmen, a silence fell around the island. No one spoke, no one knew what was going on or who was alive or not. It was only a few moments before everyone kicked into gear and tended to their wounded. Sapphire brought Skipper to the triage and he was immediately looked over. He could see relief on Rico’s face, then on Private’s when Rico told him Skipper was safe. It would be about an hour before Kowalski woke, but he was alive.
The months after the final battle were like a breath of relief. There were more of Blowhole’s operatives out there, but they would be lost without him. Private recovered pretty quickly since he was among the least wounded. The Penguins needed rest after straining their bodies like that. Private still was able to continue his schooling and graduate high school. Kowalski was able to jump back into teaching at the organization while Rico put more effort at the auto shop with his dad. Skipper had no idea what to do. His whole goal had been to stop Blowhole, to see the end through or die trying. He spent a while wondering why he didn’t shoot. He’d punched, kicked, and did whatever to beat up anyone who harmed or tried to harm him and his team. Blowhole wasn’t quite human anymore, he’d become an irredeemable monster who rarely got caught and never stayed caught when he did. Sapphire called the Penguins and the rest of her children to her house one summer day in 2021.
“To understand what happened, you must first understand that I was not part of the organization at the time. I was not trained in any of this. I knew George had a dangerous job, but I loved him through it all. Blowhole used to have a high ranking agent, much more dangerous than Agent Twelve, and much more sadistic. No one at the organization talks about his demise because I requested it. He called himself Koru, which isn’t a name at all. We researched all similar sounding names, but nothing came up. Blowhole once called him ‘Kos’, which is a surname, but research led to nothing about his identity even after his death. He was quite literally wiped from all records if he had any.”
“So, you killed Koru or Kos on mission?” Rocky asked.
Sapphire shook her head. “Our first home was broken into when Chris was a baby. Two intruders threatened our lives, Blowhole and a teen agent by the name of Ryan Zander-”
“What?!” The Penguins exclaimed.
“Mc’scuse me?” Rocky said.
“How the hell old was Zander when he died?!” Toby blurted out.
“Roughly forty-six.” George said. “Zander was fourteen when the break in happened.”
“I knew Zander used to be one of Blowhole’s, but no one ever said why he defected.” Chris said.
“I had a gun, George was injured, and I needed to protect my family.” Sapphire said. “I kept it trained on him once I shot Koru. Zander tried to trick me into letting him go, but I didn’t. I made him stay and tell me what he was doing there. He said that Blowhole recruited him and his twin sister at the age of eight after a fire killed their parents. We found out later that his parents were killed simply because they refused to join Blowhole. Colleen was a skeptic and very street smart. She didn’t trust us as much as Ryan did. I suspect that having Johnny around was good for Ryan. They were best friends once. Then eventually Colleen came around and became one of our best pilots.”
“Did Colleen teach Byron?” Skipper said.
“Yes, and I trusted her to transport you safely to Africa and back.” Sapphire said. “If she hadn’t proven herself, then Sarah would never have trusted her with teaching her son and I wouldn’t have let her fly you four across the world.”
“Did Zander want to kill me?” Chris asked. “He was a dick and he had a particular dislike for our family, but…did he try to kill me then?”
“No, his disdain originated from growing apart from Johnny and then me befriending Johnny.” George said. “They were both under my tutelage for a while. Then the Spain mission happened in which we not only lost track of Agent Twelve, there was almost an international incident.”
“I’m sure he didn’t like the Denmark incident much either.” Skipper said.
“He definitely didn’t like that your punishment was just to move back to New York. Though we took him out of Blowhole’s clutches, the experience never truly left him.”
“That would explain his attitude.” Kowalski said.
“Despite that, he remained loyal to Sarah and the organization until the end.”
With that, everyone returned home, their minds whirring with this information. The Penguins did some cleaning around the house, ate a bit, and went to their gym room.
“Do we still train?” Private asked.
“There are still some of Blowhole’s agents out there.” Skipper said. “And even if not, day to day crime isn’t gone. We no longer have to protect the city from Blowhole, but we can do our best to stop more organized crime or even lone criminals. We can do whatever we can to try to keep the streets safe.”
“And keeping peak physical condition helps the brain stay sharp.” Kowalski said.
“Team!” Rico slung his arms around them. The boys laughed and began their daily training.