Knock before entry -27

Rico continued brushing Miss Perky's blonde, plastic hair. Suddenly, Private came in through the entrance in Kowalski's former laboratory, holding an unconscious Marlene in his flippers. Rico understood immediately. He looked at Rico in such anguish, he seemed almost about to burst into tears. His eyes were swollen and bruised, and he was bleeding mildly in several places. Rico put his polyester mistress down and walked over. Private laid Marlene down against the wall. The scarred penguin then smiled at him, and gave his young private just what he needed; a big hug. Private closed his eyes, and sobbed without tears. He sobbed harder than he ever had before. Rico held him close.
"'Alski?" He said softly as he could. Private nodded. " That son of a bitch." Rico shook his head. He looked over at Marlene. She began to stir. "Pr'vate?" Rico whispered, pointing at her. She rubbed her eyes.
"W-Where am I? Where's Skipper?" Private gasped and let go of Rico. Marlene blinked, her eyes adjusting to the fairly dim light of the penguin's HQ. Private rushed to her side.
"Marlene, don't panic. You're in the HQ." Private tried smiling, but failed.
"HQ?" Marlene looked up at him. "Private?" He nodded. Marlene growled at him. Quick as a flash, she struck him across the face, her claws digging into Private's skin. He moved no more than she moved him. "HOW COULD YOU?!" Rico looked at her in shock. Private looked down in shame. "How could you possibly do that?!" Tears rolled down her cheeks. Private remained motionless. "You poured that wine! Skipper is going to die because of you! HOW COULD YOU?!" Marlene got to her feet. "ANSWER ME!" She screeched at him. Rico didn't say a word.
"You don't understand. I had no choice." Private looked up at her. "I didn't mean to..."
"You didn't mean to poison him?!" Marlene bellowed. "How does that work?!"
"BECAUSE KOWALSKI FORCED ME TO!" Private stood up. A small drop of blood from the wound across his face splashed to the ground. The room fell silent.
"K-K-Kowalski?" Marlene calmed down. "How did he-?"
"He's been orchestating this from the start. Including me." He stated.
"Oh my god..."
"He programmed me to kill Skipper. I didn't want any part of this." Private pulled down his top to reveal the implant. "It won't come out. We've tried." He glanced at Rico. Marlene just stared at him.
"So, Skipper is...?"
"Most likely, dead on the twelth chime" Private averted his eyes. "Skipper's too proud to apologize."
"That's all he wants?"
"That's all he wants."
***

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!?!?!" Skipper screamed at him after pulling away.
"A kiss." Kowalski said calmly. "Let me assure you, I am neither homosexual nor do I have sexual feelings towards you. That was purely professional."
"Didn't feel professional." Skipper spat on the ground. Multiple times. "It felt passionate."
"Force of habit." Kowalski wiped his beak.
"Force of habit?"
"Exactly." The two regarded one another.
"You taste like tin foil. And mangoes." Skipper told him. Kowalski was surprised at this.
"Thank you?"
"That wasn't a compliment."
"Oh."
***