Quest for the Golden Puffle 3 (5): Crisis Mode

The EPF HQ was buzzing with activity.  Phones were ringing off the hook, keyboard keys were clacking at every moment, and groups of penguins were discussing public statements and the like.  But, Alaska and Yukon had another plan.

Alaska rushed past all of the people and noises, bumping into others along the way.  Yukon followed behind her, vaguely knowing her plan but still being slightly confused by it all.  He apologized for Alaska's budging as the girl continued to trudge on without a word of apology.

Alaska reached the director's office and went in without knocking.  She was asking for trouble.

The new director sat at her desk, her arms folded as she deeply thought.  A few days after Aunt Arctic went missing, Mrs. Tammy Taught was assigned as the temporary director of the EPF.  It had been over six months and, while her title remained the same, everyone acted as though she was permanent.  Her blonde hair came down in braids on each side of her head and her pink skin tone acted as a striking counterbalance to her deep black dress suit.  Taught had never been through a crisis situation during her time as leader of the EPF and she wasn't quite sure what to do.

"Miss. Alaska!  You have no right to barge in here without kno-" Tammy began, but Alaska butted in before she could continue.

"We have a crisis going on out there!  If we don't act right now this whole thing could go nuclear and we don't have that option right now.  I know the Caster!  I know how she ticks!  I defeated her once and I can do it again.  Just send me into the Migrator with a team of field agents and this can end before it even begins."  Alaska stopped and caught her breath, finished with her speech.

Director Taught stared at her, an angry, yet calm look on her face.  There was a long silence that was finally broken by her.  "Thank you for your input, Secretary Alaska.  I will be making an announcement within the next few moments."  She paused and then added another small comment to establish her ground.  "You may go now," she said.

Alaska, confident that she had gotten through to the director, said thank you and left the office without another word.  A shocked Yukon followed in tow.  "Now what?" he asked.

"Now we get ready for our recon mission," Alaska replied.

There was no time for that, though.  The director had just left her office and called for attention from the agents in the room.  Within seconds, everyone was looking at her, silent.

The Director began her statement.  "I have been quietly pondering our next move after today's abrupt event.  And, after some input from the outside...."

Alaska got ready for her name to be called and stood up tall.

"....I have decided that our best course of action is to listen to the Caster's demands.  I would like all of you to work on your assigned legal aspects of the transfer of power, which will be arriving in your inbox soon.  I hope all of you understand that this is a very delicate situation.  Our number one priority is to keep our citizens safe and we need to think of Mr. Rockhopper before anyone else at the moment.  Thank you for your cooperation."  The director turned and reentered her office, locking her door and pulling her blinds.  Before she had done so, Alaska had sworn she had seen Taught look at her in the corner of her eye hesitantly.  She must have seen the face of anger Alaska had omitted after the main announcement.

Yukon was checking his cell phone.  "Hey, look, I have to draft up the historical report!" he exclaimed.

Alaska turned to him.  "Put your phone down, Yukon.  We need to go," she said.

"And do what?" he asked.

Alaska responded quietly.  "We're going to kidnap Rockhopper.  Alone."

To Be Continued