Zoo HQ Case 3: Wight Hides

Its an early May morning in the year 2023 at the San Diego Zoo and people are as bored as can be. Zoo tourists hope that their favorite animal friends will be of some upliftment to their dreary day but it has been mostly the same for them as well; boring. Not much has been happening lately so most of the animals have been snoozing the days away. The lions sleeping in the shade, monkeys swaying in the trees ever so slowly, and meerkats lounging in the dirt beds they've dug in order to stay cool. Even those on duty for Zoo HQ are feeling the slow lull of nothing going on and some have even begun to daydream. But soon all attention snaps towards Suzie the ring-tailed lemur running to the baobab tree, trying to answer an incoming call on a low frequency to which no human can hear and chatting to herself happily along the way.

Suzie: (panting with a smile) Gotta catch this phone call. Woohoo, its been a while since anything has happened and someone is finally contacting us. (begins climbing the tree) I hope it's something tropical with a sense of danger and suspense, or maybe some sort of deep mystery with a romantic twist. Ooh, this always gets my heart pumping. Thinking about what new adventure is just around the corner and getting the crew alerted to the news is just the thrill I needed today.

Suzie climbs up to the top of the baobab tree right to where a secret hatch is open and ready to go. She hops in and in a flash she is shooting through the tree downwards towards her office, the Zoo HQ Emergency Hotline Depot. Upon arriving at the bottom, once the doors open wide, Suzie rushes off to where a phone has been ringing nonstop just waiting to be answered.

Suzie: (frantically picking up the phone) This is Suzie of Zoo HQ speaking, animals, natural disasters, or human interference; your emergency is our business. How can I help you?

Unknown Caller: Hey Suzie, its me. Bronson the black bear from the western side of the San Diego Zoo.

Suzie: (discouraged and disappointed) Ugh, what is it Bronson? This had better be an emergency. I know everyone is feeling as bored as an unripe mango right now and would like some excitement but if this is just a house call then I'm going to hang up. (gets ready to put down the phone)

Bronson: (frantically screaming) This IS an emergency! I would never have called if this was just a house call. Wight has gone missing.

Suzie: (puzzled and brings the phone back up to her ear) What? Your a black bear Bronson. You rarely have any white on your coats to begin with so I doubt it would make much of a difference if it disappeared from you.

Bronson: (angry) No, not the color white. Wight! As in my son; he's no longer in our zoo enclosure. I have searched every inch of our habitat but he isn't anywhere to be found, and I don't know where he could have ghosted off to.

Suzie: (surprised) Oh, OK that makes much more sense. I will get the agents of Zoo HQ on it right away and find out where Wight has disappeared to, keep in contact in case he shows up. Lets just hope no zoo officials see him and shut down the zoo or things could get hairy really fast. Over and out. Click (puts phone down and redials). Calling all Zoo HQ members in the San Diego Zoo. I repeat, calling all Zoo HQ members in the San Diego Zoo. Wight the black bear has disappeared from his enclosure and is currently MIA. We need all operatives to be on this case and solve it ASAP before things take a nose dive into the public toilets and something starts stinking our way. Over and Out. Click (puts down the phone and hurriedly scurries off to inform the Chief).

Soon all the zoo's main attractions animals around the zoo are given an emergency warning to start showing activity and have all focus from the people on them for smooth operations. Meanwhile, all available paws that can help with the search move out in secret to the Zoo HQ's underground headquarters for a debriefing on the current situation.

Underground Zoo HQ Headquarters: (animals running around and currently abuzz with chatter about Wight going missing)

Random Animal 1: Did you hear? Wight went ghost in his enclosure and is now on the loose.

Random Animal 2: Lets just hope he doesn't start haunting the zoo visitors and get our cover blown. (shivers) Ugh, the thought makes my fur stand on end just thinking about it.

Soon, Chief Alpheus is walking out of his office and heading over to the designated meeting room to begin dishing out the plans for their current operation.

Chief Alpheus: (begins howling for a meeting of select agents) Calling all incognito agents in for a debriefing. I repeat, calling all incognito agents in for a debriefing. You've got two minutes to get in here to receive your orders or you will be on latrine duty (certain animals begins hurriedly walking into the debriefing room)

Chief Alpheus: (closes the door and stands behind his podium) All right agents, we got ourselves a pickle of a situation here. One of our own agents kids has gone awol within the grounds of the San Diego Zoo. His name is Wight. He is a North American Black Bear with a rare condition which has rendered his coat to a nearly white blonde color. We need to locate him, detain him, and get him back into his enclosure before people start getting suspicious. Any questions? (looks around the room)

Random agent: (raising a paw) Excuse me, sir? How come we haven't been able to find him? Shouldn't he have already show up on the surveillance cameras we have installed around the zoo for situations like this?

Chief Alpheus: (sighs deeply) Well agent, that would be the case if Murray, our surveillance agent hadn't fallen asleep on the pause button for our surveillance systems cameras this morning! (looking over at Murray who slinks into a corner) Now we are in the dark as to where this kid has run off to and we need a few of you lot to go out there, scour the zoo grounds, locate our escaped compatriot and get him back home safely. Since this mission will be within the scope of human eyes, only a select few will go. Now, I have selected four agents who can roam the zoo freely for this mission to find our young bear cub. Whitecap the bald eagle, Beagley the beagle, Desmond the german shepherd, and Lahi the wallaby. You four are tasked with this mission, do you accept?

All four agents: Yes!

Chief Alpheus: Good, now get a move on and make it snappy. I was due for a manicure today at o'nine hundred and I hope to still be able to make it happen. Professor Saimon Q. Taps is waiting for you downstairs in his lab for you to pick up your customized incognito ILRS (Inverted Limit Release Suit) and response equipment. Good luck agents. (salutes to them as they leave and then the rest of the agents leave afterwards)

Whitecap pulls the team together.

Whitecap: Alright everyone, we have our mission. Now let's...

Desmond: (cuts off Whitecap in a giddy tone) Oh, can I take the north side!? I've always wanted to take the north side since I've never been there before. So many places I haven't been plus so many animals and curious smells to find. Oh, its would be an absolute dream to go there.

Whitecap: (annoyed) Listen Desmond, I know you haven't been around the zoo as much, but we all need to search sections we are familiar with so we can find Wight as fast as possible. Now as I was saying, let's do this methodically and efficiently. (pulls out a holographic map from his gear vest) Beagley and Desmond, you each will scour the west and east sides of the park since you are stationed there usually during the morning shift as emergency respondents.

Beagley and Desmond: (in unison) Got it.

Whitecap: Lahi, you're pretty familiar with the southern portions of the zoo so I would like you to scour that area first before moving over to the northern part of the zoo.

Lahi: You got it mate.

Desmond: (disappointed) Ah, how come Lahi gets to roam through more than one area?

Whitecap: (rolls his eyes) Because Desmond, the south side of the park is the largest part of the park and she can also move much quicker than you at a moderate speed. If it makes you feel better, after you and Beagley have scoured your areas completely, head up to the north part of the zoo as a rendezvous. I'll be searching from the sky for any signs of Wight and if I see him in one of your areas, I will signal you and tell you where he is. Everyone got the plan?

Desmond, Beagley, Lahi: Yes!

Whitecap: Good, now lets head down to Professor Saimon's lab and suit up.

Following behind Whitecap, everyone climbs into the Zoo HQ elevator that leads down to the lower levels and heads to meet with the professor. Upon arriving at their designated floor, everyone hops out and moves on over to a table lined with different gadgets. While looking at the different items spread about, all of a sudden a small black and white mass drops out of nowhere, lands on the table, and makes a terrifying noise that spooks most of the agents.

Whitecap: (chuckles as he sees the looks on their faces) Its just our resident genius and practical jokester; Professor Saimon the Aye Aye. At ease everyone. (motions everyone over to his side)

The black and white mass soon straightens himself up and adjusts a very large set of glasses over his eyes while the sound of popping vertebrae can be heard echoing around the lab in a spooky manner. After wiping the dust off his clothes and composing himself, Professor Saimon gives a polite nod to his attentive guests.

Professor Saimon: (glancing at Whitecap) Well, if it isn't Whitecap my old friend. Its good to see you in fine health and both your wings and legs attached. (flexes a robotic finger which creeps out Beagley a little) And you too Beagley. I see you've put on a pound or two since we last met. Should I set you up for some testing with our most recent weight reduction experiments? (grins creepily)

Beagley: (backs away quickly) No way! The last time you had me help out with one of your experiments I almost flew off into space thanks to those infernal helium pills.

Professor Saimon: (gives out a happy sigh) Ah, that was such a good time. Its was a shame we had to cut things short that day, with you falling from three stories up from the pills wearing off so quickly and another emergency showing up right afterwards. Anyway, Chief Alpheus gave me the rundown. Here are your incognito ILRS and response items. (motions to a cart rolling up that is being pushed by a pair of monkeys in lab attire) Your response items include the standard Micro Ear Patch Radio, Human Language Translator, Bite Resistant capture net, and basic survival kit. Also, as you will be dealing with a young bear cub who is capable of climbing, I have added a set of convertible climbing gear that attaches to your ILRS via means of special Nano-Velcro and it has retractable claws that are good for both climbing and digging. Now good luck and be safe out there.

After all agents have equipped their assigned gadgetry, everyone splits up into different directions towards specific exit hatchways and Whitecap flies off through an aerial hatchway that leads out into the zoo.

Professor Saimon: (pondering after the agents left) Now I was certain there was something I forgot to do today, but I just can't seem to put my finger on it. (touches his head with his robotic finger in a tapping motion) Oh well, hopefully it wasn't too important.

Desmond: (on the west side of the zoo scanning around after hopping out of his secret hatchway) Oh boy, this is going to be so much fun. Can't remember the last time we had a mission within our own zoo. Oh, gotta focus. Deep breaths Desmond, deep breaths (breathing deeply a few times). Alright, now if I were a black bear, where would I go? Hmmm. Now that I think about it, how did Wight get out in the first place? I better go check with Bronson since his habitat is within my sector. (begins running towards the black bear habitat)

Over on the other side of the zoo, to the east. Beagley exits his secret hatchway in a stealthy manner and begins searching around where food is in abundance, and soon he begins to get sidetracked.

Beagley: (drooling and wagging his tail) Wow, all these delicious smells are like heaven for my nose. (sniffing the air with his nose held high) I smell corn dogs with mustard, smoked baloney sandwiches on rye, double cheeseburgers with extra ketchup, french fries slathered in their house special sauce, (sniff sniff) and...blackberries? That's odd, why am I smelling blackberries. They shouldn't even be ready this time of year. Hmm, lets see.

Beagley begins sniffing the air and follows the scent of blackberries until he comes to a little shop in the corner of the zoo with an slightly open side door and apparent scratch marks all over it.

Beagley: (worriedly narrows his gaze) What do we have here?

Beagley slowly pushes open the side door, walks in and begins scouring the little shop called the Fresh Garden Pagoda. He quickly finds jars upon jars of homemade blackberry jelly broken on the ground and a sticky mess wherever you look.

Beagley: (looking at the mess of blackberry jelly) Wow, someone has an appetite bigger than me. (looks down) Wait, BLACK BEAR PAW PRINTS! This is big, better tell the others. (turns on his animal radio and begins signaling the others). Whitecap, Desmond, Lahi, you there? I've got a bunch of broken blackberry jelly jars over here and black bear paw prints all over it. Do you read me? (static)

Whitecap: (on the radio) I hear you Beagley, heading your way now. Desmond, Lahi, you keep watch over your areas. I'll see what I can figure out with Beagley.

Lahi and Desmond: (in unison on the radio) Roger that.

Whitecap soars down over to the side entrance of the Fresh Garden Pagoda, narrowly flies through the small opening Beagley made and lands on a counter top next to where Beagley is standing.

Whitecap: Alright Beagley, what have we got?

Beagley: (pointing with his nose to the ground) It looks as if Wight came through here about three hours ago (sniffing). He must have been hungry and smelled the blackberry jelly, knocked some jars over, and then had himself a sweet snack. Wight even took a few bites out of some day old scones that were lying on this discount rack over here next to the cash register (smelling the half eaten scones, drooling) Then based on his paw prints, he left out the side exit over there on the opposite side of the shop. Though I am a little surprised there wasn't any witnesses despite all the people around the zoo. What do you think about this Whitecap?

Whitecap: (contemplating) Hmm, very bizarre indeed. It would be very hard for someone not to spot a black bear roaming around this zoo in broad daylight and especially one who is more blonde than black, so how has he not blown his cover? Beagley, I want you to follow Wights trail and see if it leads to him. If the trail winds up cold, I want you to scope out any places that have lots of food for sale and see if Wight has raided any of them. Send word if you find anything. I'll keep searching up above.

Beagley: You got it Whitecap (turns around) But, what are we going to do about this mess?

Whitecap: We'll send for the clean up crew. They should have this fixed post haste and with a fresh batch of blackberry jelly and scones that I'm sure the visitors would appreciate. (radios the cleaning crew about the situation)

Both Beagley and Whitecap get ready to leave out the side exit but something catches Whitecap's eye. It looks like a bear paw on its own but its way bigger than the rest.

Whitecap: Hold up Beagley.

Beagley: What is it? Is there blackberry jam on me somewhere, or glass? (taking a look at his paws in concern)

Whitecap: No, look at this pawprint. Doesn't it look bigger than the rest?

Beagley: Yeah, it does. (sniffing) And it smells kinda fishy, literally (crinkles his nose).

Whitecap: Hmm. Well, we better get back to the search but keep your eyes peeled. I got a bad feeling about this. Hopefully Wight just had fish last night for dinner and his paws just didn't get cleaned enough.

Whitecap and Beagley decide to keep searching for Wight and split up again with Beagley directly on the fresh trail. Meanwhile, Lahi is busy jumping around on the southern end of the zoo, weaving in and around people.

Lahi: (slowly coming to a stop near a clearing). Now where in tarnation did that little bear cub wander off to. Hmm, I haven't checked over there yet. (Lahi looking over at a group of arctic habitats to the right of her position and immediately heads into the middle of them) Brr, I never could understand them arctic folks but, oh well. I got a job to do so I better hop through this quick. (Lahi begins hopping around the different arctic habitats and stops suddenly in front of a peculiar scene) Well what did done that I wonder. (Lahi looking at a broken doorway leading into the polar bear exhibit covered in scratch marks). (Lahi turning on her radio) Uh, Whitecap. We got a situation over here that needs your Ex-Per-tise and make it snappy before this cold done finish me off, brrr.

Whitecap: (soars over to where Lahi had contacted him and lands on a habitat fence gateway) What's the problem Lahi? (adjusts himself on the gateway)

Lahi: (pointing to a broken doorway which leads into the polar bear exhibit) That's the problem right there cap. One door supposed to be shut is no more.

Whitecap: Hmm, lets see. (hopping down, Whitecap looks at the door more closely) Uh oh. (Whitecaps face color sinks) This is bad.

Lahi: (Lahi looking puzzled at Whitecap) What's the matter there cap?

Whitecap: (Whitecap looking worried over at Lahi) Something didn't break into this habitat, something broke out, and when I looked in the habitat a second ago there was something big missing that shouldn't be. We now have more than one problem on our plate right now and I hope it doesn't keep getting any bigger. (Whitecap hurriedly turns on his radio) HQ, come in. We got a critical situation here. The new polar bear exhibit is empty and its inhabitant is also MIA. Requesting immediate backup, do you read me?

HQ Communications: (static on the radio) Hear you loud and clear Whitecap. Sending in the reserve units now. ETA is eight minutes until departure for them, so try and see what you can do in the meantime to keep the situation under wraps. Over and out. (radio silence)

Whitecap: Ugh. (Whitecap shakes his head and looks over to patient little wallaby) Lahi, I want you to go around this area and see if our new zoo mate is still in the vicinity. I'm going to get back up in the air and let the others know the situation. That feeling I had earlier just came back to bite hard and hopefully it doesn't fully close its jaws on us this time around. (Whitecap quickly takes off into the air)

Back over on the west side of the zoo, Desmond has just arrived over at the black bear habitat. After combing the area for prying eyes, Desmond makes his move through a hidden hatchway that leads down into a fixed log in the habitat so he can talk to Bronson.

Desmond: (slowly poking his head out the end of the log after crawling through it) Psst, Bronson. Its Desmond. I need to talk to you.

Bronson hears Desmond's calls and comes over to where he is at and lies over the log as to draw away the attention of anyone suspicious.

Bronson: Hey Desmond, good to hear from ya. Have you guys had any progress in finding that disappearing son of mine?

Desmond: (looks to the side) Well, we know that he ended up in the Fresh Garden Pagoda, destroyed a few hundred dollars worth of blackberry jam, stuffed his face, and then left out the side door but after that we have still yet to make actual contact with him.

Bronson: Oh, the darn son of mine. (angry) When he gets home he is so getting his hide tanned.

Desmond: Ouch. That would be a little harsh. Also, you might not get to tan is hide if we don't find him soon.

Bronson: (confused) And why is that?

Desmond: (worried) Because our new resident the polar bear has also escaped, and if Wight isn't brought back home quickly the polar bear might decide to make a meal out of him if they come into contact.

Bronson: (jaw drops and his face turns pale with worry) Well, what can we do?! I can't leave or else people will see me and a panic will ensue. Not to mention the zoo personnel will discover that Wight isn't here also at that point and shut down the zoo.

Desmond: (tries to calm Bronson down) Don't worry. We'll find him, but I need your help. Do you have any idea as to where he might go? He must have had a reason to try and get out of here.

Bronson: (contemplates in the back of his mind) Well, he always wanted to know where his mother had come from but I was never able to give him a straight answer. In fact we were talking about that just last night and I sort of drew the conversation away from that subject. I think that made him feel a little self conscious and drove him to try finding out for himself where she could be. But even so, I still don't get how he was even able to leave this space at all. (looks around) The concrete and rocks on all sides of our habitat are too high, and the concrete slopes that one would have to climb to get out is so steep that even if we got to the top, the metal fencing would have kept us from advancing any further.

Desmond looks around where he can from his position to see if he can spot any ways of escaping. His eyes soon land on a log laying over on the right side of the climbing rocks in the corner of the habitat closest to the concrete walls. One end is slightly crooked and shows signs of beginning to break. Soon Desmond begins to form a scenario as to how Wight could have gotten out.

Desmond: Bronson, is that log over there generally in that spot? (pointing with his nose over to the other log)

Bronson: (confused) No, it generally sits over by the edge of our drinking pond. But I'm not sure why its over there. Maybe Wight dragged it over.

Desmond: Can you go over and see if it has any kind of recent teeth, paw or impact damage on it?

Bronson: Sure. (quickly goes over, checks out the log, then quickly comes right back) Yeah, it has some recent claw damage on it plus a smashed in end on one side. Does that help in any way?

Desmond: (grinning ear to ear) Yes it does. It means I now know how Wight got out. He used that log as a balance beam in order to walk out of this habitat without raising any alarms. But by the looks of it, his plan nearly came apart at the seams seeing as the log is like that. Now that we know how he got out, we just need to find him. I'll head out North looking for him now and hopefully he is okay. Lets just hope he is able to get back into this habitat as easy as he got out of it.(goes back down the log from whence he came)

Bronson: (calling down the log) Good luck.

Desmond exits the other end of the secret passageway that leads into Bronsons habitat and begins relaying what he has found out about Wights mysterious escape to Zoo HQ and the rest of the team. Soon Desmond is off sprinting and starts making his way up to the Northern end of the zoo.

Back over on the east side of the zoo, Beagley continues following the trail of blackberry jelly left behind by Wights little snack attack at the Pagoda. Soon the trail leads him right to a natural hot spring fountain and the trail leads right into it.

Beagley: (discouraged) Gosh darn it. Lost the scent. That little bear cub is smarter than I gave him credit for. (radios to the team about the lost scent trail) Lost our blackberry munchers scent in the fountain. Gonna keep searching around here for a bit. Over and out. (turns off his radio)

Having lost the most recent scent trail, Beagley heads off back to the food court area which is part of his search area that he was assigned to and begins to slowly make his way towards the Northern end of the zoo. Along the way he can't help but take in all the delicious smells coming from the food courts around him and starts to get sidetracked again.

Beagley: (sniffing) Oh, how I love the smells of all these tasty treats people bring here to stuff their faces with. Ah, fresh churros, fully loaded hotdogs, mixed berry smoothies, and...Ughaah!? Pee-ew, man that reeks. I don't remember anyone ever bringing a stand into the park that smelled this heavily of fish in all the time I've been here. (realizes something) Wait a minute, we have a black bear and polar bear on the loose, and it was already confirmed that Wight had been in the blackberry jam from the Pagoda. So if I'm smelling something fishy here, (gulp) that must mean that the polar bear is close by this section of the park. But I'm not seeing any polar bears or sign of panic from the people around. Hmm, lets find out where this fishy smell is coming from, but first I better let the rest of the team know. (Beagley signals on his radio to the others) Hey everyone, I've got a stinky scent trail of nasty fish over here so I think our polar bear friend is somewhere in the vicinity. I'm gonna follow the trail and hopefully not get an angry bear on my tail. Whitecap, can you circle around my position?

Whitecap: (on the radio) Can do Beagley, begin your tracking. I'll let you know if I see anything. (Whitecap begins flying over to where Beagley is at)

Beagley: (takes a deep breath) Alright, lets see where you end up you nasty fish smell. Ugh, hopefully I don't lose my appetite from smelling all this when supper time rolls around.

Beagley begins following the scent trail, which soon leads him behind the food courts and right next to a large grove of trees with some cement park benches. Poking his head around the benches, Beagley finds a nasty surprise.

Beagley: (squints and backs away) Eww, that is absolutely the most gut wrenching thing I have ever seen. (begins to look nauseous) It looks like our polar bear friend had a stomach ache and blew a chunky mess of fish guts, bones, and who knows what else all over the grass for some reason. (radioing the team) Hey guys, I just found the mother load of putrid filth over here. Its full of partially digested fish and other nastiness. Guess our polar bear escapee isn't in the best of health right now.

Whitecap: I'll be right down to take a look. Don't move. (begins soaring down)

Beagley: Get here quickly, I might lose my cookies next if I have to stay here any longer.

Whitecap: (lands on one of the park benches)I'm here, now lets see this nasty clue of....whoa, that really does stink to high heaven (reels back after taking a look at the gastric mess) Hmm, yes. Looks like a full belly purge to me. Now the only question is, why?(contemplating in his head) Is there any other evidence you can smell that could determine where our cold weather friend went after this, Beagley?

Beagley: (holds a paw over his nose and points with the other) Yeah. The smell of putrid throw-up breath continues on up northward from here and it is hard to miss the white tufts of fur over in the bushes over there where it walked through. (pointing to some bushes a few meters north of them)

Whitecap: Alright, then we head up North from here and see where things go from there. Hopefully we find Wight before the polar bear finds him. Lets hurry. (takes off into the air)

Beagley: I'm right behind you. (running as fast as his little legs can carry him)

Back over on the southern end of the zoo, Lahi has finished jumping through the different parts she was assigned to and seeing as there are no other obvious bear signs, begins to make way towards the northern part of the park as fast as she can hop. On the way over, Lahi runs into a peculiar sight. A veterinary van moving slowly through the park towards the polar bear exhibit. Lahi soon starts creating a hunch in her mind and fearing the worst decides to follow the van to see if it ends up where she thinks its going. After bounding after the van for a few hundred yards, the van slowly stops in front of the polar bear exhibit and a middle aged man with a handlebar mustache and big burly muscles hops out of the drivers side door. Lahi hops behind the van to get a closer look until the man begins heading around to the back of the van. Quickly the little wallaby dashes over behind a public garbage can and watches from afar. The young man coaxes one of the doors open and begins looking around for something before going deeper inside. Lahi decides that this is an emergency and contacts HQ and her team.

Lahi: (turning on her radio in a frantic panic) Mayday, Mayday, situation just dropped to critical: a Veterinarian is in proximity to the polar bear crib and he ain't looking like he's here on routine. I need backup or a plan here because things are gettin' hotter by the second. Please advize. Over.

Zoo HQ: Calm down Lahi, we understand your situation. Where are you in proximity to the veterinarian?

Lahi: (calculated the distance) Approximately three hops to the west behind a public skip bin and about ten hops to the polar bear habitats entrance.

Zoo HQ: Okay, we see you on our surveillance cameras. Is it one of our regular veterinarians or is it a foreigner?

Lahi: (takes a good long look at the veterinarian as he walks out) Its one of our regulars, and you won't believe who it is: Buffed Up Chuck. The biggest, burliest sweetheart know to all San Diego Zoo animals and people alike. It looks like he is here to check out our new crib mate.

Zoo HQ: That is not a situation we can afford right now with it currently on the loose. Is there any way you could stall for time or get Chuck to leave?

Lahi: I don't know. Redirection ain't really my cup of tea.

Just then, a couple of zoo employees call over to Chuck and he heads over towards them.

Lahi: Hey, I might have just been given a chance to figure out how to stall him. He's talking to some zoo employees and they just offered to take him to lunch. (listening with her big ears) Sounds like they're heading over to one of the cafe's. What should I try to do to stall?

Whitecap: (over the radio) Lahi, do you read me?

Lahi: Loud and clear Whitecap.

Whitecap: (over the radio) Try and get into the veterinary van and see what kind of equipment he has in there. If you can get a clue as to what their plan is, if you take the right tool away then he won't be able to do his job and he will have to wait or leave in order to get a new piece to complete his task.

Lahi: Bonzer idea Whitecap. I'm going in.

Lahi quickly bounds over to the open door of the veterinary van. After looking over to where the zoo employees and Chuck to make sure as to not have any witnesses, she quickly jumps into the van and begins making her way around the different sections of the vehicle. With desktops on either side of her, Lahi finds it hard to get a read on the place. After observing her surroundings to the best of her abilities, Lahi soon comes across a clipboard with a diagnostic report on it.

Lahi: (talking on the radio) Jackpot. Hey Whitecap, I think I just found our essential info.

Whitecap: (on the radio) What does it entail?

Lahi: (pulls out her Human Language Translation Device, puts it over one eye and begins to read) This document down here says our polar bear friends been acting cranky and crook (feeling unwell). Can't seem to keep from chucking up either, to the point of losing a gnarly amount of weight that could lead to an early grave. Their objective seems to entail some kind of bodily check-up, and they have a certain measurement for a tranquilizer amount written up top.

Whitecap: (on the radio) Alright, seems we need to keep that sedative out of the vets reach. Do you see any tools that might be essential for this task, such as a bottle of tranquilizer fluid or tranquilizer darts?

Lahi: Hmm, there is a box of darts on the counter top over here. However, I don't see any tranquilizer fluid....Oh, wait! Here it is. Ketamine and Xylazine tranquilizer formula. Guess I'll just pouch everything and go. (stuffs all the drugging equipment into her pouch and after making sure nothing is left, hops out the door) (contacts Zoo HQ via radio) HQ, what do you want me to do with this stuff? Tossing it in the bin sounds pretty tempting.

Zoo HQ: It would be best if you brought it back to Zoo HQ for the time being Lahi. We might need to use it in case our escaped polar bear becomes too much to handle.

Lahi: Roger than. Heading back to the main crib now.

Making sure the coast is clear, Lahi starts bounding northward over to the nearest entrance to Zoo HQ Headquarters.

Back over to where Desmond has just finished a solid thousand meter run, he is currently resting next to a drinking fountain as he is parched and exhausted.

Desmond: (panting heavily) Man, I should make sure to add running long distances to my daily exercise regimen. It was fun but it would be even better if my owner was with me.

After getting a quick drink of water from the fountain, Desmond begins his search of the Northern part of the zoo. Beginning at some of the closer habitats, Desmond begins secretly asking questions to the decoy zoo agents to see if they have seen either of the two escaped bears. Finding that none have seen any trace of the two bears, Desmond delves deeper into the Northern most area of the park. There he discovers something he didn't want to see.

Desmond: (radioing Zoo HQ and the rest of the team with a worried expression) Uh, everyone. I think things might have just taken a turn for the worst.

All team members: What do you mean?

Desmond: I've got Wight in my sights, but so does the polar bear. (worried) Wight is currently up in a tree in the secluded northeastern portion just on the outskirts of the zoo boundaries and the polar bear is right beneath him, trying to shake him out of the tree!

Whitecap: (over the radio) Desmond, do everything you can to try and keep the polar bears attention away from Wight. We will be there as fast as we can to help you. Everyone got the message?

All team members: Affirmative.

Soon all four of the team members deployed are racing to the northeastern most corner of the zoo. Lahi had just finished dropping off her confiscated supplies and was quickly resupplied with a synthesized, faster acting drug to use on the rogue polar bear. She hopped out as fast as she could out of Zoo HQ and began weaving through the crowds of zoo visitors until she suddenly came to a stop. The veterinary van that had arrived earlier with Chuck was heading out towards the gates.

Lahi: Hey everyone, Chuck is leaving. I guess he found out his supplies had flown the coop. We had better finish this up quick before he gets back (starts hopping off again heading north)

Whitecap: (over the radio) Roger that. I'm coming up on our bears now. Get here as fast as you can Lahi and be ready for anything. (switches radio frequencies) Desmond, do you read? I can see you down below me but the bears attention doesn't seem to be on you at the moment. What's going on?

Desmond: I don't know. I've been trying to get her attention with a few warning barks to try and get the bear to stop, but the bear only turned around for a second before going back to war against the tree Wights in. The bear doesn't seem to understand a word I'm saying.

Whitecap: (confused) That's odd. I'm going in for a closer look. (soars down to the point that Whitecap is almost right in the face of the polar bear and starts yelling) Hey you, cease these actions at once. Your endangering both yourself, this bear cub, and anyone else who might be in the vicinity. Stand down, please.

The polar bear looks up at Whitecap and almost immediately throws a widespread paw in his direction which barely misses him.

Whitecap: (to the bear) Whoa, easy there. Hmm, what is going on here? (flies over to where Desmond is) You were right Desmond, the bear doesn't seem to understand anything we are saying, and I have no idea why.

Suddenly Beagley comes around the corner and almost freezes upon seeing the towering mass that was the polar bear.

Beagley: (shrinking away) Holy cheese puffs, that is one big bad bear. Hey guys, whats the situation? (runs over to where Desmond and Whitecap are)

Desmond: Not good Beagley. We can't seem to get through to this bear for some reason. Normally we would be able to communicate with any animal no problem with our MALTS (Multi-animal Language Translation System). We always carry one around since animals that haven't been introduced to Zoo HQ society yet or are still completely wild can't understand us otherwise. Do all of you have your MALTS with you?

Desmond and Beagley: (in unison) Of course.

Whitecap: That is weird. We all have our MALTS with us, but none of them are working. And as this is a critical situation, we need to get our icy friend under control NOW.

Beagley: (shakes his head in self defiance) Ugh, I hate to do this, but let me try and get close and try talking a bit. I've studied some different animal languages in my free time so I might be able to talk the bear down. That is, if it will listen to me.

Whitecap: Give it a try Beagley, but be careful. We may be in a more secluded part of the zoo, but that doesn't lower our chances of having someone spot us out here in the open. Now hop to it. (gives Beagley a kick with a closed talon)

Beagley: Alright, alright, I'm going. (takes a deep breath and slowly creeps around to the side of the polar bear as it continues to try and shake Wight out of the tree).

Wight: (notices the Zoo HQ agents down below) Please, someone help me. I'm too young to die and I still haven't been able to find out about my mother yet. Please just make this nightmare end. (hugs the tree he's in with all his strength).

Beagley: (gathers his courage and speaks in a bear-ish language) Excuse me, but could you please stop? Your scaring that bear cub above you and he needs to get back home to his dad for dinner.

Suddenly the bear stops trying to shake the tree, looks down at Beagley, and immediately gets down on all fours. Moving in a very sluggish manner the white bear brings its head down right in front of where Beagley is and begins to speak in a hard to understand way.

Polar Bear: (angry tone) What did you say to me you little flea infested rat? Did you just tell me to move away from my dinner and run home to my dad!? (growls loudly and stands up) I have never been so insulted in my entire life by such a pathetic little creature that looks more like somebodies plaything than a tried and true animal. You had better get out of my way before I send you flying over these walls. I have no intention of eating anyone and I must get this little cub out of this tree and get back home with him. This is no place for a young orphaned polar bear to be, especially not in a tall tree with all these dangerous kidnappers walking around that could get him at any moment. (winces for a second and puts a paw over her head) Now get lost (swipes with a raised paw and hits Beagley on his side which sends him flying right into a brick wall)

Beagley: (gives out a pained yelp as he hits the wall) Ow.

Desmond and Whitecap: (in worried unison) Beagley!

The bear quickly turns its attention back to the tree and begins to pour on even more vigor into bringing it down with Wight still in it, yelling for help.

Whitecap: (angry face) Alright, that's it. This bear needs to be wrangled right this minute, and there is no point in being soft about it! Desmond, get Beagley out of there stat. I'll try and keep our angry friend occupied. Activate ILRS. Code Alpha.

Soon the ILRS that Whitecap was wearing that looks like an animal vest transforms in a burst of steam into a stylish battle ready suit which completely covers his body in a deep blue coating. Soon silver lines start appearing around different parts of the suit and with a gleam of an orange glass eye guard covering Whitecaps eyes, he springs into action flying right at the bears head.

Whitecap: Get a move-on Desmond. (grabs the polar bear behind the neck in his newly enhanced body suit and starts pulling the bear backwards) You've made a big mistake you white fur ball. Nobody messes with a member of my team on my watch. (with a might flap of his wings he flies back in a backwards flipping motion and sends the polar bear rolling over the stone walkways)

The polar bear shrugs off the mighty throw and starts running right towards Whitecap in a frantic gallop, which is quickly dodged and sends the bear slamming right into the tree Wights in. The sudden impact nearly throws Wight right out of the tree, but he hurriedly readjusts himself and hangs on for dear life. Desmond quickly grabs a hold of Beagley by his ILRS and makes a beeline for the nearest cover, a large dumpster.

Desmond: (putting Beagley down) Beagley, are you okay? Say something. (nudges him with is nose)

Beagley: (coughs a few times before slowly getting up) Cough, Cough. I'm alright, just lost my wind there for a second. But man can that bear hit. I thought I was a goner, heading for a bountiful feast with the dogs above. Anyways, I was only able to understand a little bit of what the bear said, and it appears that she did not take a liking to what was said at all. What I do know for a fact though is that this bear is a female and she seems to think that Wight is in danger and wants to take him home with her. She also said something about kidnappers walking around, but I have no idea as to what she is even talking about besides that.

Lahi: (panting profusely upon arrival) Hey everyone, sorry I'm late. A lot more people have started showing up at the zoo which made getting here harder than jumping dingoes on a hot day. And...it looks like things have taken a very drastic turn here. What did I miss? (Beagley fills Lahi in on their most recent event) We need to wrap this up quickly before someone starts blinking in the wrong place then.

Desmond: (looking over at the polar bear swinging frantically at Whitecap) Okay, it seems this bear doesn't want to harm us, but doesn't seem to be able to think straight. I've been watching and it seems as if something is bothering her. It might explain the nasty pile of puke you found Beagley and why a veterinarian showed up all of a sudden during your investigation Lahi. We need to subdue her. Did you bring those tranquilizers that HQ whipped up for us?

Lahi: (grinning) I did indeed. Got em right here in my pouch. (pulls out a set of four darts) We need to hit her with at least one dart in order for this to work. However, seeing how hard she's dancing the Death Samba with Whitecap right now, that might be harder than escaping from a hungry devil in a drought who's missing a leg.

Whitecap is swooping in and around the female polar bear, trying to corner her to the best of her abilities. Quickly he gains some altitude before nose diving right at the polar bear, then right before contact he hits a button on the side of his talons and a Bite Resistant Capture Net is deployed from his back just before he swings back around and out of the now netted bears reach. Even while captured, the female bear continues to resist and tries to break free.

Whitecap: (looks over at his team with worried eyes) Beagley, you alright?

Beagley: Yeah, just peachy.

Whitecap: Good to hear. Lahi, can you give our friend a nice long nap, if you would?

Lahi: (grins from ear to ear) It would be an honor. (grabs a tranquilizer dart with her tail and flings it at the polar bear)

The bear raises up just before impact and the dart shoots through the net to the other side.

Whitecap: Desmond, Beagley. Draw her attention towards you. Lahi, head around back for a better shot.

Desmond, Beagley, Lahi: Got it.

After circling around to the bears face, the agents begin their plan. The polar bears attention becomes focused on the two agents in front of her, and she voraciously tries to nab them with her paws but just can't reach. Soon, Lahi is in position and sends another tranquilizer dart the bears way which sinks into her white behind. Upon impact, the polar bears reels up and starts trying to get free of the capture net using her teeth and claws, but the bite resistance and her now tangled paws have made it all but impossible as she slumps to the ground in groggy defeat. As she is beginning to doze off...

Polar Bear: My son, get out of here. Don't let...those kidnappers...get...you..ZZZ.

Once the female polar bear has been completely put to sleep, all four animals come closer and surround her. Soon, Wight decides to come down from his tree and joins the other animals.

Whitecap: (turning to Wight with an angry look) You have got a lot of explaining to do young man. I hope you realize just how much trouble you have caused and what will come after it.

Wight: (puts his head down in shame) I understand, sir.

Whitecap: Well, not much we can do now but get you back to your habitat and figure out how we can help her with whatever caused this rampage. I'm sure your father will also be giving you quite a talking to once your back home, so be prepared.

Wight: (shivers in fear) Ugh, I hope he'll go easy on me.

Whitecap: Alright, lets get things underway. Desmond, can you take Wight back through the Zoo HQ tunnels and get him back into his proper habitat?

Desmond: You got it cap. Come on, Wight. This way will be the quickest route back to your habitat (kicks the side of the dumpster and it moves forward revealing a hidden passage). Down you go.

Wight quickly hops down into the hidden passage with Desmond right on his tail and the dumpster slides back into place just after they enter.

Whitecap: Ok, lets contact HQ and figure out how we are going to get this polar bear back to base without getting spotted and get her patched up (radios HQ). HQ, Wights on his way home and the female polar bear is down. I repeat, Wights on his way home and the female polar bear is down. How do you want us to proceed?

Zoo HQ: Good work agents. We will be opening up our large transfer tunnel 47B just thirty two feet from your position. We will be sending over a few other agents to help you with getting the bear onto the platform and on her way to the recovery bay. If you can try and get her moved closer to the platform by the time the other agents arrive, that would be excellent.

Whitecap: Roger that. You heard them, lets start moving this bear. It won't be easy so grit your teeth. Everyone activate your ILRS and lets get to work.

Soon both Lahi and Beagley activate their ILRS and get into position around the sleeping polar bear. Once all three agents are in their places, each activates a rope function from their survival kits which are then attached to the bear via the net currently surrounding her. After all ropes are attached, all three animals start to slowly drag the roughly six hundred pound bear towards transfer tunnel 47B with not much success.

Lahi: Man, this big girl is heavy. I can't seem to get a firm enough grip on the ground.

Beagley: Me either. Even with our enhancements from these special suits, they don't really help with we can't get any traction.

Whitecap: Switch on your climbing gear. Professor Saimon said these claws were good for both climbing and digging, so lets give them a try.

Both Lahi and Beagley activate their climbing gear and soon begin to move the bear at a greater pace than before. Soon the platforms camouflaged rock doors opens up behind them with two animals on it, a lion and a rhino, both already in their ILRS attire.

Lion agent: Alright, lets quickly get this bear to the medical bay.

After a quick rope attachment, the bear is quickly dragged onto platform 47B by the new arrivals. All animals begin to quickly hop on before the platform slowly descends beneath the closing camouflaged rock doors above. After descending for about forty five seconds, the platform comes to a stop before turning around forty five degrees to the left. All of a sudden they start picking up speed and are heading straight for the Zoo HQ's main Medical Bay. Their arrival is soon met by several medical animals rushing over to the sleeping bear who slowly raise her up, put her on a stretcher, and rush her to an open medical room.

Whitecap: Beagley, you should probably get yourself checked out too. You took a pretty big hit back there.

Beagley: I sure will cap, especially since they give out the best doggy treats at the end (waddles in).

Given a little time to relax, all agents deactivate their ILRS and head off to give Chief Alpheus a report on their days case.

Chief Alpheus: Nice job agents, you've done good today. Wight is back where he belongs, the polar bear is currently in custody getting medically examined, and the humans are none the wiser. I'd call that a good days work.

Whitecap: Thank you sir. However, there is still something that has been bothering me ever since we came in contact with the polar bear.

Chief Alpheus: (intrigued) Oh, and what would that be Whitecap?

Whitecap: Well sir, we couldn't seem to communicate with the polar bear properly, even with our MALTS active. I'm wondering if there is something wrong with them.

Chief Alpheus: Hmm, go and get them checked out over at Professor Saimons lab. I'm sure he will know what caused this loss of communication.

Whitecap: Will do chief. By the way, love the manicure. I'm sure the missus will love the new look.

The chief blushes as he hides his freshly trimmed claws and straightened out fur. After leaving the chiefs office, all three agents head down to Professor Saimons lab. On the way over...

Lahi: Hey cap?

Whitecap: Yes Lahi?

Lahi: What do you think caused our equipment to hop out on us? Our gear is supposed to be maintained every single time after being used. Its worked very time before, but this time something wasn't with the mob. I hope the professor can shed some light on our current predicament.

Desmond: Hopefully he doesn't have another nasty surprise waiting for us. He looked like a little gremlin earlier and I don't wan't to see it get worse from there (shivers).

After heading down the HQ elevators to Professor Saimons lab, they walk in and find the lab to be eerily empty and quiet.

Whitecap: (cautiously moves forward) Okay, this is a little peculiar. Normally there is at least some noise down here, but now its as quiet as a mouse. (takes a few steps forward with Lahi and Desmond behind him) Professor Saimon, where are you? There's something we need to discuss with you.

Professor Saimon: (in an eerie voice) And what would that be I wonder.

All of a sudden the three animals turn around and find that Professor Saimon is just standing their idly behind them with his hands together in an upright position.

Professor Saimon: (laughing hysterically while bent over) Ha ha ha ha, that was hilarious. You didn't even hear me walk right up behind you until I uttered that first word. Ha ha ha, oh that was great. Ahem, so what is it that I can help you with? I believe your mission ended in success, did it not?

Desmond: Oh, our mission ended in success but it could have ended way better than it did. Beagley got pawed so hard he had the wind knocked out of him and let me tell you, Beagley isn't getting lighter any time soon.

Whitecap: (steps forward) Professor, something seems to have gone wrong with our MALTS. We couldn't communicate with the polar bear in front of us; at least not well enough to keep her calm. Anyways, we thought it would be best if we brought them down to you ourselves and got to the bottom of this vocal fritz.

Professor Saimon: I understand. Bring all your ILRS over here to our maintenance depot and we'll get this sorted out. (claps his hands and a stream of lights flood a dark hallway) Follow me.

Lahi: Um, Professor. Can't you do something about all the dark hallways down here? Its kinda creepy.

Professor Saimon: Sorry about that Lahi. Its just that most of us who work here in the lab have more light sensitive eyes and working in the dark is better than working with the lights on. I hope you can understand where we are coming from. Anywho, here we are out the ILRS and MALTS station, or the IM for short. Now lets get those units off you all and figure out what the problem is. (claps his hands again and some lemurs in lab coats hop down from the ceiling and begin taking off the agents equipment) Ok boys, lets see what we got going on here under the hood.

A large robotic arm swings over and picks up each individual ILRS and puts it within a metallic maintenance chamber with several smaller robotic arms that immediately get to work upon receiving the equipment. Each individual arm begins taking small pieces of the equipment and starts placing them on trays outside the maintenance chamber for the Professor to look at. After a few minutes have gone by...

Professor Saimon: Oh, that's right. That was what I forgot to do this morning (the agents looks at the Professor in confusion). I forgot to go over my lab crews work this morning after they were supposed to switch out fresh parts for your equipment to function properly. (picks up a piece of the ILRS) Hmm, just as I thought. Someone had been eating sticky fruit, AGAIN, while they were switching out the different parts for repairs. It got into the speakers on your MALTS and made it impossible for any sound to be translated. Bibi, I know this was caused by you (looking over at a ring-tailed lemur behind another table who shrinks himself down). Your the only one here who hasn't seemed to have learned that you don't bring your lunch with you to eat while you work. Please do us all a favor and learn from this so it doesn't happen again, okay? (looking at Bibi with a crooked eye).

Bibi: Yes sir. (hurriedly scurries off somewhere)

Professor Saimon: (sighing) I apologize, I should have been more attentive of their work and it is also partially my fault to not remembering to check on them. I will make sure that Bibi and the rest of us in the lab crew learns from this so it doesn't jeopardize any more of your missions from now on. We can get these switched out right away with a clean pair while we get these old ones cleaned up. I'm sure you will want to talk to our big white guest upstairs to figure out what happened today, am I right?

Whitecap: That's the plan.

Professor Saimon: (rubs his hands together) Alright, I'll get these fixed up in a jiffy for you. (quickly switches out the gunked up pieces with new ones and shuts some panels on them before they are brought out by the robotic arms) Okey dokey, your good to go. Try em on.

Soon all three agents are back into the ILRS and are looking as stylish as ever.

Lahi: Doesn't really feel any different Professor. We'll have to let you know if their fixed once we talk to our big white friend upstairs.

Professor Saimon: Yes yes, now you best be running along. Can't leave a patient waiting long. We can't let our cover be blown by her not being in her habitat, now can we?

Desmond: Take care you crazy Professor. We'll let you know what we find out soon.

Whitecap: Keep up the good work old buddy (pats him on the back before joining the others)

The three agents quickly head back down the lighted tunnels and go right back up the elevator. Soon they are walking right into the medical bay and get directed to the room where the female polar bear has been admitted to. The polar bear has just woken up and has become much more docile than she was in their most recent encounter and seems to be chatting it up with Beagley in a very cheerful manner.

Polar Bear: No dog, it goes: "growow, growwwl,grah, gruh". That is how you ask a polar bear how their day is going. (sees the other agents walk into the room) Oh look, it seems the rest of your crew has finally decided to join us.

Beagley: Hey everyone. Glad you could make it. I just finished getting some polar bear language lessons from Sakari here. She is pretty easygoing if you take the time to get to know her.

Sakari: So, to what do I owe the pleasure of you visiting me after fighting me and putting me to sleep with a tranquilizer dart?

Lahi: Beagley, did you not mention anything to her during your conversation about our mission?

Beagley: (looks away and blushes) Eh, I kinda forgot to mention it. I was too wrapped up in learning how to speak polar bear better.

Whitecap: Well in any case, I can give you the rundown of what happened if you will answer some questions from our end. Does that sound fair to you Sakari?

Sakari: (contemplates for a few seconds) Yeah, that would be alright. It'd get this puzzle figured out sooner than later and I want to know just what's been going since I arrived.

Whitecap: Well for starters, that young white bear cub you were chasing is a black bear named Wight who was found to be missing this morning from his habitat. We agents of Zoo HQ were assigned to find out where Wight had gone to and make sure he got back home safely without blowing away our cover.

Sakari: Wait, so that young cub I was chasing earlier was not a young polar bear?

Desmond: Nope, just a happy go lucky black bear cub with a unique hair color that isn't seen very often.

Sakari: Huh, well that explains how he was able to climb up that tree so well.

Whitecap: Anyway, during our investigation we found out that you had left the safety of your habitat Sakari, and soon we began searching for both you and Wight hoping that the two of you wouldn't cross paths in fear of the worst possible outcome. But lo and behold that is just how we found you two. (puts a wing behind his head)I uh, apologize for my actions earlier but slapping one of my crew mates into a wall didn't really help me keep my cool back there.

Sakari: (gives a small chuckle) Don't worry about it. You protect who's important to you and that's what counts in the end.

Whitecap: But anyways, here are the questions I had for you. Why did you break out of your enclosure and why were you so adamant about getting to Wight? We all thought you might have gone crazy and were trying to eat him.

Sakari: Hey, I may be a carnivore but I have enough sense to not hurt a bear cub, especially since...he reminds me a bit about my own.

Beagley: You have a cub Sakari?

Sakari: I Had a cub Beagley. Quite recently in fact. Just a few months prior to being captured and put into another zoo farther north before being sent here.

Lahi: What happened to your little ankle-biter?

Sakari: (looks at the floor and a flashback begins) We had left our snow cave a few months ago. I was just starting to teach my little boy how to hunt when we ended up getting attacked by some weird men dressed in these weird furry get-ups. They threw these weird green rocks at me that let off some kind of weird smelling steam and before you know it, I almost couldn't stand up straight. Then, I saw one of those furry creeps throw something over my little boy before dragging his off as fast as his legs could carry him.

In a panic I ran after the men trying to save my little boy, but before I could catch up to them; I blacked out. When I came to, the ice was completely barren of life accept for me. The loss of my only cub drove me close to a human settlement, in hopes that my baby boy would be there. However, the moment I came into the place, I was immediately captured, drugged and sent off to the zoo I was at before being shipped off to here. When I arrived, I happened to hear the cries of a young bear cub out in the distance. My mind was racing with thoughts of, "is it my boy", "is he here", and "I want to see him". After clawing at the metal fence, I was finally able to snap the lock and began roaming this place.

It hadn't been long before I ran into the young cub. The moment I saw him, I ran at him in order to get a better look at him. But he panicked and ran. I followed him the best I could but with all the stress I had been experiencing recently, my stomach had not been in the best of moods and my eyesight was also affected to where it became harder to see clearly. Losing my lunch was one thing, but I couldn't afford to lose the cub, if in a million to one chance that he was my own. After I finally managed to corner him, he took to the tree behind him and wouldn't get down. In my plight I tried to get him down, but in the end you all showed up and put me to sleep before I could find out the truth. Now I know that the young cub isn't mine, but I still felt like I should protect him. That's just how a mothers instincts work, ya know.

Lahi: Don't feel to bad. You were just letting your motherly instincts take control. If I had a son, I'd be frantically looking for him too if he got lost. And it isn't even your fault. The people who took your son away are to blame in this situation. Kidnapping a young polar bear is a serious crime, and I swear it won't go unpunished (slaps her paws together).

Whitecap: Hmm. (walks over to one of the medical bay staff) Hey, any word on what caused Sakaris' condition yet? a

Medical Staff: From the looks of her blood tests, it seems that the chemical agent used to put her to sleep before also had a kind of poisonous affect on her. Not only did it affect her stomach, it also affected her brains functionality as well. Luckily our medical nano-tech has been able to remove most of the foreign contaminants and she should be on the road to a full recovery. There is one thing that bothers me though.

Whitecap: (looks at the medical staff with a concerned look) And what would that be?

Medical Staff: It's where she was found.

Whitecap: What do you mean?

Medical Staff: According to the Zoo report logs for incoming animals, she was found 1000 miles outside of a nature reserve we watch over up north. However, her blood indicates she is from well within the reserve and shouldn't have been outside it.

Whitecap: Are you saying what I think your saying?

Medical Staff: Yes. I believe that we are looking at a case of extremely intelligent poachers who have the capability of not only get past the humans eyes, but our eyes as well. This could very well end us being an international issue if it happens again.

Whitecap: (eyes get bright with vigor) Well, we'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen, now won't we. (Turns around and joins the rest of the agents) Okay agents, we still have one more job to do. Lets get Sakari back into her habitat before anyone notices. And Sakari.

Sakari: Yes?

Whitecap: We will try and see what we can do about finding your lost cub, but in the meantime. I hope you can be patient with us and just rest up for now.

Sakari: (tearing up) Okay. I'll try.

Whitecap: Alright, lets move out.

After the agents successfully return Sakari back into her enclosure and fix all evidence of breaking out; the agents of Zoo HQ return to their daily duties and do their best to ensure the happiness and safety of those who come to visit them. Wight got the talking to of a lifetime but thankfully only ended up not getting to eat any special treats for a week as punishment. Sakari slowly began to heal and soon her habitat was opened up to the public for viewing. She wasn't fond of it at first, but eventually she came to enjoy the company of so many little children coming to visit her. Desmond and Beagley go back to their original undercover posts and keep up their duties as always. Lahi continues to wander around the zoo and bounds up to people with her pouch full of zoo maps for any visitor who needs one. Back at HQ, Whitecap is looking through the data retrieved by the medical staff from Sakaris' visit and is pondering to himself.

Whitecap: Hmm. I wonder if this is all just a coincidence, or if something bigger is waiting in the shadows to strike next. But next time, we'll be ready. We have to, or next time could be too late.

Zoo HQ Telephone: Ring, Ring...Ring, Ring