Penguins of Madagascar Movie Novelization Read Free

last remaining home for those succulent but chemically hazardous bits of puffed heaven called . . .”
    Private’s eyes got wide as he noticed the packages inside the machine, glowing under the fluorescent light.
    â€œCheezy Dibbles!” he cried happily.
    Skipper held up a coin. “Happy ding-dong birthday, ya little scamp.”
    Private took the coin, squealed with delight, and planted a grateful kiss on Skipper’s cheek. Then he squeezed Kowalski in a bear hug before rushing over to Rico. Rico picked him up and planted a kiss right on his beak.
    â€œNow hit that machine and get your present!” Skipper ordered Private.
    Private giddily waddled up to the machine and made his selection. Skipper turned to face Kowalski and Rico.
    â€œWe just broke into the most secure facility in NorthAmerica. Do you know what that means?” he asked.
    â€œWe’re wanted criminals who’ll be on the lam for the rest of our lives, always feeling the hot breath of Johnny Law on our necks?” Kowalski asked.
    â€œNo!” Skipper replied. “It means that as elite units go, we’re the elite-est of the elite. Top shelf in the bureau. The penultimate . . . plus one!”
    Behind him, the bag of Cheezy Dibbles slid off the spiral rack. Just as it fell, two long octopus tentacles snaked out of the machine! They grabbed Private and sucked him inside!
    Skipper turned around to address Private—but he was gone.
    â€œWhere’d Private go?” Skipper asked.
    They approached the machine and saw Private trapped inside.
    â€œOh, there he is. D3,” Kowalski said.
    Skipper sighed. “Aw, Private. How much is he?”
    â€œHe’s three dollars and fifty cents,” Kowalski replied.
    â€œWell, that’s outrageous!” Skipper complained. “Even for Private!”
    Fwip! A tentacle pulled Rico inside.
    â€œSir! The machine’s alive!” Kowalski cried.
    Fwip! A tentacle pulled him in next.
    Skipper glared angrily at the machine. “I don’t think I like your attitude, vending machine. Or your prices! Release them!”
    Another tentacle slid out, and Skipper tried to grasp it, but it sucked him inside too.
    A guard walked in, only to see the vending machine, stuffed with penguins, rise up on six octopus tentacles.
    â€œWhat the . . . ?” the guard asked.
    Bam! The machine head-butted him and crashed out of the break room.
    It raced through the halls of Fort Knox, swinging from pipes and ceiling beams to avoid the guard. It swung higher and higher until . . . smash! It crashed right through the roof!
    Then it launched itself upward into the sky. A helicopter appeared, releasing a giant metal claw hook.
    Chunk! The hook grabbed onto the machine, and the helicopter flew off into the night.

CHAPTER 4
Dave
    The helicopter flew all the way to Venice, Italy, a charming city of brick buildings with canals running through it. The copter hovered over a submarine parked at a dock and then lowered the vending machine onto the sub’s deck.
    The machine descended through a hatch and the walls fell apart, revealing a cage with the four penguins trapped inside. They were all coated with orange Cheezy Dibble dust.
    â€œKowalski, analysis,” Skipper said.
    â€œAll evidence indicates,” he began as his stomach rumbled loudly, “that I ate too many Cheezy Dibbles.”
    Private coughed, and a cloud of orange dust poofed out of his mouth.
    â€œWe’re behind enemy lines and incredibly thirsty,” Skipper said. “Rico, bust us out of this delicious prison.”
    Rico hacked up a paper clip, bent it, and picked the lock on the cage. The four penguins burst out and struck ready-to-fight poses.
    â€œNice work, Rico,” Skipper said. “You are a meaningful and valued member of this team.”
    Meaningful and valued . Private sighed when he heard those words. Skipper had never said that about