Chapter Text
*Coruscant, One year after the battle of Geonosis*
The bustling city-planet of Coruscant seems to never sleep. Amidst the skyscrapers and the air traffic lanes, four peculiar visitors waddle unnoticed. Their peculiar looks gained such little attention because one can see almost anything here. These guests were much more unusual than the average off-worlder. Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private, the penguins of Madagascar, find themselves in a galaxy far, far away. Unfamiliar surroundings are one thing, but hunger? That’s an entirely different beast. The four flightless birds find themselves in need of food, quickly.
“Alright, team, eyes sharp.” Skipper demands. “We’re looking for sustenance. Kowalski, any ideas?”
"Given our surroundings, Skipper, I'd say our best bet is to locate a food dispenser.” Kowalski surmises “This high-tech environment likely has numerous automated vending solutions."
"But where do we start looking, Skipper?" Private complains, his stomach already rumbling.
Skipper surveys the bustling streets, filled with beings of every shape and size. His sharp eyes catch a familiar sight in the distance—a vending machine, shining like a beacon of hope.
Skipper points towards their salvation. "Over there, team. Let's move out."
The penguins expertly navigate through the crowd, avoiding the occasional curious glances of pedestrians. As they approach the vending machine, their excitement, and hunger, grows.
"Alright, men, formation Alpha.” Skipper quickly commands” Rico, you're on lookout. Kowalski, analyze the machine. Private, you're with me."
Kowalski pulls out his trusty notepad and starts scribbling.
"This appears to be a standard-issue high-tech vending machine.” Kowalski notes. “It seems to take those items we heard called credits and dispenses a variety of snacks."
"Perfect. Let's get ourselves a snack."
Skipper slides to a man bending down, observing wares for sale in a stall nearby and grabs a credit chip from his pocket. Skipper then quickly slides back and inserts the credit into the machine. The machine whirs to life, and a bright yellow packet dangles tantalizingly from its hook. But then, nothing. The snack is stuck.
"Oh no, Skipper! Our snack!" Private wails.
"Stay calm, Private.” Skipper reassures. “We'll get it. Kowalski, options?"
"We could try shaking the machine, Skipper. Perhaps a calculated application of force?"
"Kaboom!" Rico exclaims, while pulling out a stick of dynamite from seemingly nowhere.
“Easy, Rico. We'll start with the basics.” Skipper says while pushing Rico’s flipper that is holding the dynamite, away from the machine. “Rico, give it a nudge."
Rico, with his usual enthusiasm, attempts to push the machine over. It wobbles but stays upright. The snack doesn't budge.
"Maybe we could blow it up, Skipper?" Private asks.
"Let's not resort to explosives just yet.” Skipper says. “We’re still not sure if the locals are easily frightened or not. Kowalski, any other ideas?"
"If shaking doesn't work, we might need to hack into the machine.” Kowalski answers while climbing up the machine, pushing buttons on the display “But it appears to be heavily encrypted."
“Heavily encrypted? Who encrypts a vending machine?" Skipper exclaims.
"According to this panel, it's linked to the Republic's central security system. The access code is restricted…by someone called the Supreme Chancellor."
"Then it's time for Operation: Code Breaker. We find this Supreme Chancellor and get that code."