EPF Agents 3: The Great Hunt

EPF Agents 3: The Great Hunt is the third and final story of the EPF Agents Series. Two years have passed since the previous EPF Agents story, and Clovis and Leonardo have their most daring mission yet: an international group of terrorists have arisen all across the Antarctic, wreaking havoc, but the main perpetrator and mastermind of the terrorists cannot be identified, which is what Clovis and gang are assigned to investigate.

Prologue
It was a sunny day in South Pole City; the temperatures were warm with few clouds in the sky, and the city was bustling with heightened activity since it was lunch hour. The streets were packed with cars and taxis and there were many pedestrians walking along the shops under the shadows of the multitude of glittery skyscrapers.

Freezeland Station, a large train station located in the north of the Metro Borough, stood proudly tall over the buses and taxis that passed it on the avenue in front of it, with the flag of the USA flying above it. Freezeland Station was an old train station that had been continuously in use for over a decade, and it tirelessly served trains daily to Freezeland and the southern parts of Happyface State. On this particular day, one could see why the government had plans to remodel the train station to make it more modern. On this particular day, there was twice as many people in Freezeland station than on the streets of South Pole City. Penguins and puffles of all walks of life had infested every square inch of the train station, and the sound of a million voices and departing trains filled the station. It didn't seem possible for anyone there to stand still; everyone was on the move and always going from point A to point B.

Then, the sounds of loud explosions could be heard.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Backpacks that had looked like they were abandoned by the pillars that held the structure had exploded, for the backpacks had been filled to the brim with deletion bombs.

Almost immediately, the normal chatter of pedestrians became the sound of horrified screams and wails. The deletion bombs had destroyed the bottoms of the pillars, causing them to collapse and fall, and effectively cause the collapse of the roof. Everyone inside the station began to run savagely and with great fear, screaming, crying and wailing with much pushing, shoving, tripping, and falling as the building began to collapse on itself. Cars and buses screeched to a halt as the mass of horrified penguins and puffles spilled onto the streets.

Then, the roof completely collapsed, and it managed to fall on a train that was being filled up with fuel...

KABOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!

The train station exploded violently, and whatever that had remained of it was now in flames.

The faint sounds of a multitude of sirens could be heard. Screaming and crying. Grieving. The yelling of orders. The sound of a fire hose blasting water at the flames.

Smoke, smoke everywhere.

As the smoke began to clear, the rubble could now be seen.

At the edge of the rubble stood Spike Hike, with tears in his eyes, who held the tattered and charred flag of the USA over his heart.

Clovis Hochstadt and Leonardo di Tremezzo were riding the EPF elevator to the Headquarters in Club Penguin since they had recieved an urgent message from the Director to report for duty immediately. Clovis and Leonardo were on vacation in Club Penguin to visit Clovis's brother, Fisch, when the train station attacks occurred.

Leonardo:"Do you think they've found any leads yet? It's been three days since the attacks."

Clovis:"I'm sure they do. The best investigators in Antarctica must have already gone to work on day one. I don't think they'd call us to report if they didn't find anything yet."

The elevator doors opened, revealing the EPF HQ. Only Gary the Gadget Guy was present, with the Director behind the giant plasma TV screen.

Director:"Please gentlemen, sit down. Thank you for coming."

Clovis:"It's an honor, Director."

Director:"As you all know, there was a mysterious terrorist attack that had occurred at Freezeland Station in South Pole City at around 1235 hours, local time. Investigation began as soon as the smoke faded. We also have some leads as to who the suspect or suspects may be, which will be showed to you momentarily. Firstly though, we were able to reconstruct the incident and have found the tools used by the suspect to perpetrate the attack. The suspect had had laid zipped up backpacks filled with deletion bombs at the base of key pillars that held the structure together. The civilians did not notice the backpacks and assumed them to be forgotten luggage. All of the backpacks had detonated at 1235 hours simultaneously via a remote control. We know that the deletion bombs were made from a Ruscan factory, and the fabric of the backpacks have also been identified to be of Ruscan origin."

Leonardo:"Ruscan?"

Director:"Yes."

Leonardo:"That's strange...I wouldn't think they would do that."

Director:"Unfortunately the evidence that I'm about to show you may prove otherwise."

Clovis:"Ok. Let's see it."

The evidence popped out of a compartment in the middle of the conference table. There were two plastic bags; one had two feathers soiled from the debris and a tattered piece of red cloth with the insignia of the NRR sewn to it.

Leonardo:"This is it?"

Director:"Afraid so, but this is the best we could find. Both of these pieces of evidence were found next to each other."

Clovis:"So are you implying that the NRR is responsible? Did you already do a DNA test to determine the identity of the alleged suspect?"

Director:"Afraid so. We did the DNA test, and we discovered that it belonged to Agent Rogue Tvarkov."

Leonardo:"AGENT ROGUE TVARKOV? She wouldn't do such a thing!"

Director:"The evidence is apparent. It must have been her."

Leonardo:"But she is supposed to be the intermediator between the NRR and the EPF! How could she turn her back on us?"

Director:"Unless she was siding on the NRR the whole time. There isn't time to lose boys. We need you to track her down and interrogate her."

Clovis:"So we will need to go to Rusca then?"

Director:"Yes. We've already booked your flights. Find a way to apprehend her."

Clovis:"This seems risky. What happens if she manages to summon the other NRR agents to come to her aid? We'd be in their territory."

Director:"Sometimes risks must be taken. That's part of the job, Clovis."

Clovis:"I know, but wouldn't it be better to invite her over to a country where we have a better chance of successfully capturing her?"

Director:"No. The NRR has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks nor have we released any information to the public as to who may be responsible for this attack. Doing so might throw the international community into chaos. Clovis and Leonardo, it's up to you two to get this story straight before a potential war could break out."

Clovis:"Director, don't worry. We've got you covered. This mission is ours."

Director:"Good luck, boys! You'll need it!"

Clovis and Leonardo saluted the Director.

Chapter 1: Agent Tvarkov
Clovis and Leonardo walked briskly through the terminal of Muscovgrad's main airport. Both seemed tense and impatient as they kept passing slower walking penguins and puffles while pulling their luggage.

Clovis:"Let's make this quick. I don't want to be here longer than I need to."

Leonardo:"Neither do I...but I don't know. I feel as if this is some sort of mistake. I would never see her doing such a thing."

Clovis:"Well, the evidence was shown to us. We're here first and foremost to investigate. Then we'll think of how we'll move forward."

Leonardo:"What if she didn't do it?"

Clovis:"Then we find out who did, with her help."

Leonardo:"And if she did?"

Clovis:"Then we arrest her and bring her back to HQ. And I have a feeling it was her. She is the supposed link between the NRR and the EPF. Any act of agression against territory under EPF jurisdiction would indicate that she was a double agent."

Leonardo became glum and kept staring down at the floor as they walked out of the airport.

Clovis:"Good. It looks like my icePhone has service now. Time to call."

Rogue was in her office at the NRR headquarters when Clovis called. She was sifting through some paperwork, checking to see everything was in order when her office phone rang. She looked across the room, dimly lit due to the partially closed shades, to the clock on the wall. She then quickly proceeded to look at the caller ID on the phone.

Rogue:"Hello, Agent Clovis."

Clovis:"Hello? Rogue? How did you know it was me?"

Rogue:"Caller ID."

Clovis:"Oh. Hey listen, we happen to be in town right now and we're wondering if we can have a meetup sometime today."

Rogue:"That sounds great, but I can't. I'm actually going on a well deserved vacation to the Krym island tomorrow, so I need to do some packing and get some fresh air before the long train trip."

Clovis:"Ok, I apologize for not knowing in advance. But there are some important issues we need to discuss as well. Privately."

Rogue:"Look, Clovis, I need to call you back. I've got an important call on hold-"

Clovis:"All right, please call back soon!"

Rogue:"Sure thing. Bye-bye."

Clovis:"Bye."

By the time Rogue hung up, Clovis and Leonardo were waiting for the train to take them into downtown Muskovgrad, where their hotel was.

Leonardo:"So?"

Clovis:"I'm more suspicious. She said she can't meet us today because she's going on a vacation to the Krym island tomorrow. I urged her that I had important confidential issues to discuss with her, but she didn't offer to meet up anywhere or anytime else and instead told me that she had to hang up to take an important call on hold. What a load of lies. She probably has already realized that we're on her trail so now she's going to make a run for it."

Leonardo:"So are you suggesting we do something right now?"

Clovis:"Exactly. Let's check into our hotel first, though."

Clovis and Leonardo walked into their hotel room with their suitcases and Clovis closed the door. After unpacking, Clovis went to the window and opened the curtains. The NRR Headquarters was directly on the other side of the wide boulevard.

Leonardo:"Did you bring the wiretapping supplies?"

Clovis:"You bet I did."

Clovis opened his suitcase and took out a box that read "100% Ligurian Pasta". He opened the box, and immediately a multitude of wires and equipment popped out. Clovis brought the supplies to the hotel telephone located on the nightstand between the two hotel beds. Clovis was able to connect the wires and the other equipment to the telephone system.

Clovis:"Ok, done."

Leonardo:"Don't you think that she's probably off the phone by now?"

Clovis:"Yeah. With that 'important call' if that was what it really was. I'm going to drop in on her line first. If she isn't talking to anybody, I'm sure some of her co-workers will spill the beans."

Leonardo:"I'm going to look out the window."

Clovis:"Good idea. Keep an eye out for anything you see outside."

Clovis turned on the wiretapping equipment and tried to drop into Rogue's telephone line. At first there was static, but then two female voices could be heard.

"You know, Rogue, we should go for a stroll after your shift is over. Let's go visit the All-Rusca Exhibition Center to freshen yourself up before your trip. I really want to see that place."

Clovis (to himself):"I don't recognize this voice. This must be one of her visiting English-speaking friends."

Rogue:"Sure. It's a really nice park. They're restoring it back to its original Snowviet glamor. I'll be done in half an hour. I'll see you in an hour."

"Ok, bye."

The static resumed.

Clovis:"I guess we're going to have to spy on her with her friend at the All-Ruca Exhibition Center. They're going to be there in an hour."

Leonardo:"That's great!...Oh no..."

Clovis:"What?"

Leonardo:"I see two armed NRR agents and two police officers approaching the front entrance of the hotel!"

Clovis:"Drats! We've been caught. Quickly, I have a plan."

Clovis quickly put away all the wiretapping equipment in the pasta box and stuffed it back into his suitcase. Both Clovis and Leoanrdo put their passports and other forms of personal information in Clovis's pockets. Clovis brought Leonardo to the bathroom.

Leonardo:"What's the plan?"

Clovis opened the cabinets under the sink, exposing the plumbing.

Clovis:"Get in."

Leonardo:"What?"

Clovis:"GET IN!"

Leonardo jumped into the cabinets and Clovis followed after him, bringing several nicely folded towels with him. Clovis used the nicely folded towels to cover themselves after they had closed the cabinet doors. Then there was silence.

*Knock Knock Knock*

Police Officer:"ЭТО ПОЛИЦИЯ!" (THIS IS THE POLICE!)

Still, there was silence.

*Knock Knock Knock*

Police Officer:"ЭТО ПОЛИЦИЯ!" (THIS IS THE POLICE!)

The officer started to yell and banged on the door.

*BANG BANG BANG*

Still there was silence.

Suddenly, the officers broke down the door and the two NRR agents broke into the room with their loaded guns and started searching the room.

Leonardo (whispering):"Wait there's something I forg..."

Clovis (whispering):"HUSH!"

Suddenly the bathroom light was turned on and one of the NRR agents opened the cabinet. Clovis's and Leonardo's hearts began to beat rapidly as fear and adrenaline rushed through their bodies. Suddenly the cabinet doors closed. Clovis and Leonardo drew sighs of relief. However, the other NRR agent walked into the bathroom and reopened the cabinets and forcefully threw the towels out of the cabinet, exposing Clovis and Leonardo.

Clovis:"Howdy y'all!"

Clovis quickly grabbed the agent's tie and punched him in the face, giving Leonardo enough time to jump out of the cabinet and jump on the other agent.

NRR Agent 2:"AAAAH!"

Clovis punched and kicked NRR Agent 1 until he was unconcious, while Leonardo was able to smack NRR Agent 2's head against the hard bathroom tile wall, knocking him unconcious. Suddenly, the police officers came in with their icebullet pistols and started shooting. Clovis grabbed Leonardo and jumped into the bathtub as one of the icebullets shattered and destroyed the bathroom light, causing the room to go dark. Clovis and Leonardo quickly responded with their deletion pistols and sucessfully deleted the police officers into the Cybervoid.

Leonardo:"Phew!"

Clovis:"Yeah. That was close."

Leonardo:"Hey, let's get the rope and ductape from our suitcases and tie these guys up."

Leonardo and Clovis got out the rope and ductape and subdued NRR Agents 1 and 2. They resolved to keep them in the bathroom until they checked out of the hotel the next day.

Clovis:"Perfect. They won't be able to wake up any time soon. Now let's go take the metro to the All-Rusca Exhibition Center and catch up on Rogue."

Clovis and Leonardo peacefully strolled through the entrance to the All-Rusca Exhibition Center, a large gate resembling the one in Boorlin, Alemania, into the large expanse of trees and grass that led to the main pavilion of the exhibition. However, Clovis and Leonardo walked around the main building since behind it was the large square that was filled with all the other major pavilions of the exhibition- each pavilion representing a former Snowviet Republic that hosts a variety of specialty shops with goods from that country. Across from the main pavilion, also known as the Pavilion of the Snowviet Union, was the striking Pavilion of Ucrying. In front of the Snowviet Union Pavilion, facing the Ucrying Pavilion, was a large beautiful fountain made of gold that depicted each Snowviet Republic as a female penguin in classical Penguin Empire clothing. The exhibition center was quiet that day since it was a work day, so there were very few tourists around.

Clovis:"We'll wait here at this fountain. It's a major rallying point for visitors here because it is an iconic place."

Leonardo:"To be honest I don't know how we can hide. This square doesn't have enough trees and there are barely any visitors here."

Clovis:"No big deal. We'll go hide behind one of the pavillions and then ambush her when the time is right."

Leonardo:"Oh no, I see her in the distance coming right now with her friend!"

Clovis:"Darn! They're early!"

Leonardo:"Quickly, get the washable gold paint spray!"

Clovis took his jester hat off and shook it briefly. The gold spray paint fell out and Clovis catched it with his free flipper. Clovis started spraying himself from head to toe, front and back with the gold paint so that he was completely covered in gold.

Clovis:"You need any?"

Leonardo:"No, no time. She won't notice. Wait, you forgot your eyes!"

Leonardo snatched the can from Clovis's flipper.

Clovis:"Leonardo, this can of spray paint can't..."

Leonardo sprayed the gold paint spray in Clovis's eyes. Clovis screamed in pain and his eyes turned red.

Clovis:'"AAAHHH! MY EYES! MY EYES!"

Leonardo:"Come on they're coming!"

Clovis and Leonardo jumped onto the fountain next to the other gold figurines. Clovis quickly made a pose with his flipper in the air, and Leonardo sat on top of the flipper, looking off into the distance. Clovis's eyes were bloodshot red, and he tried his best to hold back the pain.

Agent Rogue and her friend passed by the fountain, chatting. Unfortunately, the sound of the fountain prevented Clovis from being able to overhear the conversation.

Agent Rogue:"Hi Leonardo!"

Leonardo:"Hi Rogue!"

Agent Rogue and her friend walked away before Agent Rogue stopped in her tracks. She immediately turned around to where the fountain was, and noticed that Leonardo (and Clovis) had disappeared. She rubbed her eyes, turned back around, and continued to walk away with her friends.

Moments later, Leonardo and Clovis resurfaced from the water at the bottom of the fountain and gasped for air. The gold paint had completely washed off of Clovis and his clothes and his eyes were no longer red. However, the bottom of the fountain began to turn the color gold.

Clovis:"Oh, what a relief! The water really helped clean my eyes out! I think that if we would have waited longer, the splatter from the fountain would have washed off the paint anyways, exposing myself. Why did you say hello to her anyways?"

Leonardo:"Well she saw me. I look like any other yellow puffle. I don't know how she knew it was me."

Clovis:"Luck or intuition probably."

Leonardo:"Not only that, you kept trembling because I knew you were in pain. I thought it would be best just to get ourselves into the water anyways. Sorry for spraying you."

Clovis:"No problem. It's over now. I think our only option left is to follow her to Krym island and confront her there."

It was nighttime, and Clovis and Leonardo were back at the hotel lying down on their beds, watching television. Clovis was wearing his bathrobe and had his flippers behind his head, lying on the pillow. His cell phone and the remote lay beside him. Leonardo was on his phone, using the internet. They were watching PNN International since it was the only English-language station the hotel offered. The fait sounds of muffled screams were being drowned out by the voices of the news broadcasters.

Leonardo:"The NRR agents are awake."

Clovis:"Wow, they really were unconcious for a while. Leonardo, go over there and tell them to shut up. We'll release them tomorrow if they comply."

Leonardo:"Ok. I'll do that."

Leonardo jumped off of his bed and went to the bathroom. Suddenly, Clovis's cell phone rang. It was Rogue, who was calling him from her apartment.

Clovis:"Hello?"

Rogue:"Hey Clovis. It's Agent Rogue. Since you said you had something important to tell me live, do you think that you could come over to the Krym peninsula and meet me there? I am actually staying at a summer home from a relative of mine, Green Berets General Ivan Tvarkov."

Clovis:"Oh. Well we need a private discussion..."

Rogue:"No worries, he won't be there. He still needs to work in Muscovgrad. I am only staying there for a week for personal relaxation."

Clovis:"Very well. Text me the address of the place and the time you want to meet us there. We'll be there on time, I promise."

Rogue:"Sounds great. Ok, I need to go. Good night."

Clovis:"Good night."

Clovis hung up the phone. Leonardo had come back from the bathroom during the phone call and jumped back onto the bed.

Leonardo:"I did as you said and they complied. So was that Rogue?"

*Ding*

Clovis's text message alert went off.

Clovis:"Yep. We're going to meet her at her relative's summer home on the island of Krym. She has already texted me the time and address."

Leonardo:"Sweet!"

Clovis:"Yeah. We're leaving tomorrow and taking a train. I believe we're going to take a train to a major city down south before transferring to a train that will take us directly to the island via a recently built bridge. We're going to take the same train Rogue is taking and follow her every move until she gets to that summer home, which in Russian they refer to as a 'Dacha'."

Leonardo:"Sounds good to me!"

Chapter 2: Scuffle at the Dacha
TO BE CONTINUED!