Chapter Text
The boxes were taken to the moving van yesterday. The four-bedroom apartment was empty. On The marble kitchen counter, a crumpled piece of paper lays flat.
"Dear Tenant
your rent of 2,900 dollars will be increased to 5,900 dollars. It's due at the same time each month.
From Alice."
That was all that was left behind.
Alice was the name of their crabby landlady who lives on the top floor. As a result of the increased property taxes, Alice had to get another job. She found one as a zookeeper at the Central Park zoo cleaning up after penguins. It's still not enough to pay the mortgage on the building.
Most if not all of their neighbors have left the complex.
Marline, the woman who lives next door, couldn't pay the rent and utilities even with two jobs, one as a receptionist and one as a waitress. She was trying to go to school at the same time. She had to choose between rent, utilities, and or food. Marline moved back in with her parents last month.
Two months before Marlene left, Phil and Mason undergrad students from London moved to another complex closer to campus.
Last week Joey and his roommate Leonard moved out. They mentioned heading off to The Bronx.
Julian and his buddies had already long since left before the rent spike. They were evicted due to one noise complaint too many.
"Good riddance" was all Skipper said after seeing the notice on the party lemurs door.
The youngest of the four men was a boy around ten years old who was looking back sadly at the apartment as they headed towards the lobby.
Skipper, Kowalski, and Rico have complained before that living in New York was growing expensive.
He knows they have to leave. The three adults were offered, given, and accepted higher-paying jobs. Those jobs were at a base in Canada.
And Private was to start training for a Junior Agent program.
A man with a flat buzz cut was waiting for them holding his duffle bag as well.
"Alright boys I gave Alice our keys, the cab will be here in 10 minutes to take us to the airport. Kowalski, all of our documents accounted for?"
"Yes Skipper, all the important documents are accounted for. All the birth certificates, social security cards, and our base key cards along with our tickets and passport" Kowalski shows Skipper the folder with the paperwork and four cards. The cards were white and artic blue with the letters N and W.
The man who runs the organization who they dub Classified was rather impressed with the Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private when they proved to be a great help on a mission. The one that resulted in the arrest of Doctor Brine. Even if Classified didn't want to admit it.
Their efforts were recognized by the North Wind High Commission. In return for their efforts, the adults were offered jobs to become full-time North Wind Agents.
Though Skipper does not think too highly of Classified he's doing it to ensure his youngest brother's future. And because all four of them believe in helping others who cannot help themselves.
"Excited to see your girlfriend?" Skipper asked the taller man hoping to pass the time until the Uber arrived.
"Skipper, it's been two months since I've last seen Eva. We've mostly been in contact through phone calls, texts, and emails. I am quite excited to see her again." Kowalski sighs happily. Looking down at his phone he just got another text from Eva.
"Hey Kowalski, things have changed a tad bit since Docter Brines's arrest. I can finally tell you now that you and your brothers were given the all-clear at the interview. My commander's commander was replaced with someone else. She is a piece of work. Poor Classified is very overworked. Corporal and Short Fuse say hi. I'll see you at the base-Eva" the text read.
"Well Skipper, it appears Classified has a boss he probably doesn't have as much authority as he claims to have." Kowalski was quite surprised to learn that.
"Well, Kowalski with agencies as large as the North Wind I'd be more surprised if he didn't have someone to answer to. Considering how young he looks." Skipper comments.
Rico just lit a cigarette he plans on throwing out the cheap lighter when they got to the terminal. Rico's weapons were in the moving trucks so there won't be any problems at the airport with the metal detector.
Private is looking down at the ground sadly. His life is changing, for one thing, Private will be starting 5th grade at a new school that goes up to 8th grade. That's not all it will be in another country.
After what seemed like an eternity the Cab finally arrived. The group placed their duffel bags in the trunk of the taxi. Private went inside first. And quickly buckled up.
The driver knew they were headed off to JFK airport. The middle-aged taxi driver went into the driver's seat as the other three went to the back to join Private.
Kowalski handed Private a brochure of the town the base is in. Apple Lake Canada was the name of the small town.
The crystal blue lake and the gigantic Rocky Mountain were the main focus of the brochure along with the yellow spring grass with wildflowers embedded in the grass. Standing tall were blooming white apple trees.
Private glances out the window and looks at his home one last time. He stops looking at the complex when the driver turns the ignition and drives off.
The taxi drove past a shop called King Julians Smoothie Bonanza. There weren't any customers. Perhaps this is understandable. After all, it is 9:00 at night on a Tuesday. The place is packed on the weekends. The logo was that of a ring-tailed lemur wearing a crown while an Eye eye was serving his smoothie, and a big-eyed mouse lemur was hugging the king's feet.
Skipper smiles sadly as they drive off from the neighborhood. He knows this is for the best. He knows things could go wrong he just doesn't know what yet