It was a dark and stormy night. Lightning lit up the sky in white streaks that cut through the velvety blackness like a Ginsu blade through a tin can. It was swift, clean, and fascinating to watch. As the rain traced long rivets down the glass panes in the window a lone creature could be seen inside. Tadpole’s mansion was dark and dreary as brooding music played in the back. A fire crackled in the hearth between the claps of thunder giving the room and evening an ominous tone. Tadpole sat in his dark red leather armchair. Lazily he swished the tiny glass of whiskey in his hand staring between the storm outside and the dancing flames of the fire. Nights like this made him remember the last time he was called to duty. It was so long ago when he had to don his armor to name the Calico. The tip-tap of perfectly manicured nails echoed on the thick oak flooring signal the approach of his sidekick in crime.

“What’s the news Collie, you look a little concerned,” Tadpole asked, setting down the drink. Skillfully he scampered up to the top of the chair and lept to land on the tip of her nose as Collie jumped up into the armchair and settled in to report the situation.

“The elders sent us our newest case, Katy Darah… she is to be elevated into the realm of the Zoo. The inferno though is hunting her… we will need to act fast if we want to get her to the arena.” Colie answered staring at the tip of her nose. Since the Tadpole was so close it made her cross-eyed as she spoke. She would have shaken him off her nose if time wasn’t of the essence. “What are we going to do boss,” she blinked, still looking down the bridge of her nose at the small green tadpole perched there already processing the information.

“They picked a heck of a time to come after her. Panic has set into the STF Zoo. I have been told we are down to our only roll of toilet paper. Do you realize the panic that will ensue when they realize the president is on LOA, we are down to one roll of Charmin, and the Inferno is after one of our own,” he gripped her ears and pulled himself closer to her face. “We can’t let the panic spread if they attack. We need to plan this right.” Tadpole said as he leaped off her nose. Getting down he flew to his computer. Webbed fingers flying, he began to input information that brought Katy’s last known location.

“She’s a chef and cooking at this location here,” he stabbed at the screen displaying the restaurant where Katy worked as he looked over at Collie. “We need to order some take out as a diversion to get close to her. Are you hungry Collie?”

“I could get a bite to eat and a coffee. The Piggly Wiggly had no more beef or chicken. Heck, they didn’t have anything but this weird instant ramen that I can’t figure out the flavor of,” the Collie answered as she moved off the armchair. Tadpole leaped on top of her scruff as she began to run at a full pace through the doggy door.

Moments later, outside of Kalo’s Place, the Tadpole and Collie laid low in the Tadpolemobile as the rain began to pour. “You ordered the dozen double chocolate chip cookies for her to give us right,” he asked as he sat on top of the large booster seat looking over the steering wheel. Both of their gazes were fixed on the large glass window of the bakery and the happy chef deep in the restaurant doing what she loved. The owner’s personality was a reflection of the restaurant’s interior. Kalo’s Place was warm, inviting, and cozy. It was the place one came to when you wanted to share happy news or needed comfort from the day. The owner was always there with a kind word, piece of advice, or just to listen and support you as a friend. It was why Kalo’s Place was a favorite of the STF zoo.

“Yes,” she wagged her tail happily adding, ”and I asked for some prime rib. I don’t know if they have them but dude chocolate is not the best for dogs. Gives us gas,” Collie said as she panted in the passenger seat waiting to see the doors open. As if on cue, Katy’s face emerged from the entrance as she pulled out an umbrella as she walked over to the car. “She’s coming. She’s coming,” the Collie’s tail wagged with a happy fury making the Tadpole leap over it like a jump rope or get swept into that side compartment all cars had filled with straws, napkins, and a single french fry. “Katy,” the Collie yelped out her name pressing her nose against the glass.

“You ordered a dozen chocolate chip cookies and… prime rib?” Katy replied in a chirper tone with the characteristic smile on her face as she handed the containers through the window.

“Yes… now… get her!” Tadpole shouted as a Rhino and a Kiwi burst out of the back of the car as the snagged Katy and pulled her inside.

“Oh, oh god yes and what is…in.. these? Do I taste a hint of a butter garlic rub,” the Collie wore an expression of pure joy as she sampled the amazing food Katy created as Darrah was pulled into the cab. “Oh crap oh crap… I think Inferno saw that,” shouted Collie between mouthfuls as the rest got settled in the back as muffled screams could be heard. Yes, it was an emergency but Katy’s prime rib was way too good not to finish.

“Okay Katy, watch out for the horns and the death tail,” Tadpole yelled to those in the car as Katy righted herself in the back seat. “I should have gone with someone smaller than a Rhino,” Tadpole mumbled to himself as tires squealed on the wet pavement. “She is gonna have a heart attack,” Tadpole said in a low tone as three drones began to pop off shots with a soft pew pew sound ricocheting off of awnings, lamp posts and buildings that lined the street.

“If you don’t like the food I can make you something else,” she said looking at the odd array of individuals in the car. “Maybe some escargot or is that considered cannibalistic for you,” she bit her lip, not sure if this would offend the tadpole or not. There was nothing she could not cook. It was always just finding out what someone wanted to eat.

“Okay Katy, don’t panic… don’t panic. We are not gonna hurt you… in fact, we are here to save your life. You have been chosen to join the realm of the STF Zoo but Inferno has some other plans,” Tadpole said as the Collie turned around staring at the box of cookies Katy was holding in her lap.

“So you’re gonna share those cookies,” Collie asked, wedging herself between the seats to look at Katy. What was a little gas between friends and there was more than just her and the Tadpole in the car to blame it on? Confused, Katy pulled one from the box and tossed it to the dog.

“Why… why do they want to stop me from joining?” Katy asked as Rhino began to grunt. Rarely was he forced into the backseat of a car. There was just not enough legroom for a man his size. As he moved and wiggled to try and get some room in the back, the lone Kiwi climbed on top of his head to avoid being squished. While he was a bird, it was a little known fact he had no wings so it was jumping for his life or become a Rhino back tattoo.

“Heathens,” the Kiwi muttered as he found his place on the Rhino’s head fluffing out his feathers.

“Excuse me,” Katy said politely. “I am a little lost. Can we go over who this Inferno is again,” she began to pass out the cookies.

“Well, you see Inferno hate joy and fun, they think the Zoo is horrible. Their leader is called the Imperial Maharanee and hates all things to do with the zoo. The Inferno will stop at nothing to put us down,” the Kiwi spoke up as he helped explain all the while balancing precariously on the Rhino’s head as Tadpole began making sharp turns to avoid the gunfire from the drones. “The more captains we create the harder they try to hit us” he nodded his head.

“Where the heck is Quokka!” Rhino grunted as he banged on the back of the seat

“Hey man Quokka’s not here,” he chuckled as a Quokka head popped from a compartment in the back. “What what… I was resting back here,” said Quokka in a slow tone as smoke billowed from the hole from where he slumbered. Looking around he noticed Katy. His face lit up in his characteristic smile. “Dude… if she’s here where are my cookies?” Quokka asked as Collie closed the take out box with one paw pretending she didn’t hear his question.

“Stop feeding the help and have him get back in the gunner’s pod,” Tadpole ordered as he looked back before careering to dodge an incoming missile as it exploded off their side.

“Fine fine…” Quokka said as he flopped into the gunner pod. A whirring motion sounded as the Tadpole flipped a switch causing the Tadpolemobile to transform as a turret lifted from a panel on the trunk.

“This is the last time I let you talk me into this!” could be heard from Kiwi as Tadpole pressed down on the big red button on his dash as the car began to floor it through an abandoned grocery store. The once filled shelves had since been pillaged in the most recent attack by the Inferno as people tried to hoard everything not bolted down to the floor to stop the STF celebration that was planned for later that night.

“Slow down Tadpole… you are gonna get us killed before we even get there and why are we in a grocery store,” Collie reached out and pulled down from the dash the small figurine of an Ox as she held it close. The solemn figurine was always with them in one form or another. He had been to all the naming ceremonies and this one would be no exception.

“It’s a shortcut dollface… plus I was hoping to find some more toilet paper. I heard a rumor that the first person that supplied toilet paper to the executive bathroom gets a promotion but alas no,” Tadpole said as they flew out of the back of the store. The drones peppered the sideway with sizzling bolts trying to stop the crew from getting to their destination. As the drones edged closer and closer as Quokka began fighting them off one shot as a time. Metal shards and sparks littered the ground as they got closer to the entrance of the STF Arena.

“I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to this hair-brained plan…” Rhino grunted as he slid and began to squish Katy as the sounds of blaster bolts could be heard pinging off the back of the car.

“I’m having a blast!” could be heard the maniacal laughter from Quokka as they sped further. It was hard to know if the smile was of joy or just his normal expression because the man was known for always being happy. The shield around the STF arena would stop the Inferno. They just had to make it as Tadpole smirked, jamming down the accelerator.

“Hold on peeps, this is gonna keep bumpy!” he said as he began to line the car up with a ramp that would take them flying directly to the Arena where the Zoo ruled.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me… you know if I wanted to be able to fly I would have asked to be a Toucan!” could be heard from Kiwi as Tadpole pressed hard on the gas. The team leaped past all the obstacles as Quokka shot every drone that came near them before they landed with a hard skid in front of the building. While it was never proved, some STFer’s swore they heard the sound made by the General Lee as the Tadpolemobile flew through the air landing safely on the other side of the STF arena’s shield.

“You know the shields are not built to take that kind of kinetic force,” the brilliant STF Roach said to the Serval standing next to him at the entrance to the arena. “They are lucky the didn’t bounce back into the drones chasing him.

“I told them to send a limo but no they couldn’t do that. Said something about it not being in the STF budget,” she let out a small purr and a shake of her head.

“See… easy peasy…” Tadpole said as they all began to leap out of the car as they tried to get the balance as Tadpole landed onto Collie’s tuft as the team began to walk in tow with Katy.

“Are you ready for this? Your life will never be the same Katy,” Tadpole asked the poor chef that had been not only kidnapped but jostled for the last thirty minutes as they drove over.

“Of course she is,” the Serval beamed happily, walking up to her best friend as everyone finally exited the car. “She was born for this and will be amazing for she has the heart, spirit, and energy to lead the fleet into great things.

“Alright… let’s go meet your new family.” Tadpole said as they entered the awaiting Zoo.

The Arena was full of growls and screeches of the animals that filled their halls. Beaver, Gorilla, Osprey, Weasel, Tribble, Roach, Serval and more filled the halls as they all waited for the team to enter. The others took their seats as Collie and Tadpole walked up to the front with Katy. Climbing the stairs Collie paused as Tadpole leaped off her top as he got to the podium as Katy stood beside him on his other side. The Serval and Roach took up a position next to Katy to stand as her witnesses during the ceremony. The Serval and Roach had been with her since the beginning so it was only fitting they stood with her as Katy received her new name. Everyone waited for the moment they had all gathered to begin.

“Greetings Zoo… you have all gathered today for a meeting we have all looked forward to. When one of our brethren has reached the echelon of Captain we bestow the powers of our animal spirits upon them.” Tadpole said as he echoed through the arena as he pointed to his right where Katy stood.

“It is the time of choice, that we have decided to grant our friend Katy Darah her new title. The traits that distinguish her most are her vibrant personality, her energy to take on any task, and her gentle spirit. Katy is always there to give advice, lend an ear and help anyone that needs it. Because of her effervescent spirit and sociable nature… it is with great privilege and honor that I give you the newest member to our brood… Captain Capybara!” Tadpole said as the crowd all cheered and shouted as the Zoo ray blasted where she stood, Katy no more, but now Capybara.

“Now.. let’s give a warm welcome and let the party begin!” Tadpole shouted as the disco ball fell as the music began to crank in the place as the roaring spirit of the Zoo became unleashed. The zoo had spared no expense and worked hours making the place perfect for their new friend. Glitter cannons shot sparkly blasts or glamor over everyone and everything in the room. The colors erupting from it send shimmering glows of red, gold, blue, pink and purple which reflected off the strobe lights revolving from the ceiling.

Steven Sigle & Kate O’Neill, Infinity Fleet Commanders