Mario saw the frenzied crowd trying to get out of the casino and back to their homes. This made it hard for Mario to get to Luigi. Mario wondered if it was possible to shoot his way through. He would never do it, he was just curious if it were possible, probably not.
    He put that out of his mind and headed towards the entrance. He heard the shrieks of women and the cries of children. And the bell, the bell continued to ring; he must get to the HQ soon.
    He reached Luigi who had a crowd of Mushrooms around him who must be working for The Mushroom Kingdom government as well.
    "Ok," panted Luigi, "it doesn't look like anyone else is coming, let's go." Mario and the Mushrooms headed off into the streets. Mario was still curious as to what the hell was going on, but decided not to ask quite yet. Luigi was a very skinny male, much the opposite of Mario who was very fat. Luigi had blue overalls like Mario, but had a green shirt, green shoes, and a green cap with a letter L on it, as oppose to Mario's M. They both had thick moustaches as well.
    Mario and the group ran through The Mushroom Kingdom passing several houses, stores and factories. Mario finally gave into the urge to ask Luigi what was going on.
    "Yo, Luigi!" Mario yelled to him. "What the hell is going on? Has Croco murdered another couple in Rose Town?
    "Much worse I'm afraid," replied Luigi, "it appears the West has found out about missile defense strategy."
    "Say what?"
    "The nuclear missiles we have been hiding in Seaside Town have been discovered. It must have been an inside man living in Seaside Town. The West has already sent a ship to come and look for the missiles and Seaside Town is shipping them back here to The Mushroom Kingdom and deny all responsibility." Luigi always had a confident look in his eyes. That's what seventeen years of successful espionage can do to ya, Mario thought.
    The group reached the main government building. Luigi opened the main door for everyone to walk in. Right then a crack of lightning shuddered the ground and it started to pore. They all just made it inside on time. The halls were dressed with red. Mario, Luigi and the others led their way through the building. The grand chandeliers hung down speckled with diamonds. The paint on the walls, the carpets, were all red. The building shook as another huge thunder blast from the sky. Mario walked beside a rather short, old Mushroom with a blue head.
    "Welcome to department MI6," said the old Mushroom, "I'm Major Dench, head of the department of gadgetry and supplies.
    "Well, nice to meet you Major, I hope to have you help me on some of my missions." Mario replied.
    "I believe you are trying to kill Croco, am I right?" He asked.
    "Yes," answered Mario, "we believe that the We…"
    "Yes, I know," the Major interrupted, "but I think that whatever is happening here will only delay you. I mean, the West have never had nuclear weapons before, the new power that will come may be too much. World War IV could break out."
    "Let's not get carried away," said Mario, "I know that Wart really wants to conquer our lands, but…" Mario thought about it for a second.
    "Ah…" said Major Dench, "you see, Wart will fire those missiles if he gets his hands on them."
    "Yes I guess you're right. He once was a great Senator."
    "Indeed," replied Major Dench as Luigi opened the small, wooden, back door of the headquarters for everyone to walk in.
    Mario was astounded at the amount of people there on the dock, about 3500, he estimated. Wow, the government must still be very powerful. A large chatter was all Mario could here and he spotted a podium on the edge of the sea. There were two Mushroom soldiers standing on each side of the podium.
    "Those poor Seaside Towners," Mario heard someone say. He agreed. West troops could be slaughtering them at this moment. Mario got himself a spot in the back of the crowd with Luigi and Dench.
    "Hey Luigi," Mario called, "do you think Croc…"
    "Later!" Luigi shouted back.
    Mario saw why he had shouted, Admiral Fungi was making his way onto the stage to give his announcement. Fungi was a very big man, muscular, with a brown head and had a gray tuxedo on. Mario knew he was to obey this man above any other.
    Fungi cleared his throat and started his speech. "Several years ago, our two respectful governments, the East and the West were one. Now it is no more. We are plagued by war and our differences have torn us apart. Sadly, tonight is a step backwards for peace in this world. The West has discovered our missile defense strategy in Seaside Town. This will not stand. We cannot afford to lose our loyal people in Seaside Town. They have always been there for us and letting them be tortured and killed is something I personally will not allow. Seaside Town is going to ship the missiles back here to The Mushroom Kingdom. They are using their old Octoboat, and we need all the help we can get. You people of the government will load the nuclear warheads into these underground garages." He pointed to something behind the crowd. Mario and the others turned around and saw several silver garage doors. "Do it as quickly as possible, the Octoboat may need to take two trips. The reason only you government personnel are here is that we don't want to start panic in our respectful town. Here comes the boat." Fungi announced as the crowd watched as an old, beaten up, wooden ship made its way to the harbor through the mist of the rain. God, Mario thought, he expected a much better boat.
    The old ship creaked as it made its way against the side of the harbor. Luigi got over there as soon as possible to start to help unload the missiles. Mario and company followed. There was a small steel door near the front of the ship that opened up slowly. A sailor appeared from behind the door. "Hello citizens of Mushroom Kingdom." He announced. "We are preparing to bring out the missiles in an orderly fashion." Mario could sense the tension growing as to what will happen if the West gets the nukes? All the people of The Mushroom Kingdom could be slaughtered. Knowing Wart they would be.
    A large nuclear warhead was being rolled out on a large cart by six Mushrooms. They handed the warhead over to a few Mushrooms from The Mushroom Kingdom. They continued to do this until the last nuclear warhead was taken out of the ship. Mario, Luigi and a few others took the nuke through the pouring rain, which now had everyone soaked, and into the dark, damp and spooky garage to where all the other nukes were. Mario made his way up the garage back into the rain. Another crash of lightning came down and the boom of thunder only two seconds after. Mario sat down on a small bench and saw Admiral Fungi and what looked like the captain of the ship talking. He took a brief moment to eavesdrop on their conversation.
    "We'll have to go back for more of the missiles." The captain told Fungi.
    "Well get your ass moving because…"
    "Because the West ship is already heading for Seaside Town?" The captain finished the sentence.
    "Exactly," replied Fungi.
    "Well you better get going now," Mario butted in. "We've already unloaded all the missiles."
    "Were you eavesdropping Mario?" Fungi asked.
    "Yes sir," replied Mario. "I think I am important enough to know these things."
    "Sensible answer," said Fungi, "I agree with Mario, you should probably get going Henderson." He pointed out to the captain.
    "Yes sir. All sailors back to the ship, we are leaving now!" The captain Henderson yelled.
    The sailors boarded the ship and Captain Henderson gave one last goodbye.
    "Come back alive," Fungi said to him. Henderson gave a weak smile. Mario wondered why Henderson wasn't more serious about this journey back to Seaside Town in which he could be killed along with his sailors. The Mushrooms, Fungi, Mario and Luigi watched as the Octoboat slowly sailed away into the storm.
    Luigi came over to where Fungi and Mario were standing. "All of the Mushrooms are going to go home until the ship arrives. Which I estimated would be in about an hour." Luigi stated.
    "Alright," replied Fungi, "but you better have reminded them not to tell anyone about what's going on."
    "But of course sir." Luigi responded.
    "Good," Fungi said as if Luigi would have been fired if he didn't. "Come to my office, both of you." He demanded. Luigi and Mario both looked at each other curiously, then walked with him through the building and up an elevator to the top floor, the usual number 27, until they reached a door which read: Authorized personnel only.
    "After you sir," Mario opened the door for him. Fungi walked by without a thanks. Mario didn't mind. Mario walked with Luigi into the first room and Mario tossed his red cap onto the hook on the wall. He walked out of the doorway and saw Princess Peach Toadstool sitting down at a long wooden desk.
    "Peach!" Luigi exclaimed, "Good to see you. But what are you doing here?"
    "I'm just helping my friend Plum clean out her desk." Peach replied.
    "Where is she?" Mario asked. Plum was the secretary of Fungi's office.
    "She caught a cold from this huge storm and had to go home."
    "I see."
    "Mario," Fungi yelled over from the door that leads to his office. "Stay out here for a moment. I want to talk to Luigi in private." Mario nodded. Luigi walked into Fungi's office and he shut the door. The red light went on indicating that no one was to come in.
    "Looks weird having a princess cleaning out a desk, doesn't it?" Mario started a conversation. He looked out the window at the rain of the storm and thought that maybe the Friday storm was bad luck. Seaside Town had been so loyal to our Mushroom Kingdom, he thought, and this is what they get.
    "I just thought I would help out," Peach said, interrupting Mario's thoughts. "Plum is a good friend."
    "Yes," Mario said, not even remembering what they were talking about. "What do think about war Peach?" He blurted out.
    Peach suddenly looked upset. "It's a horrible thing. Why?"
    "It's just… just, our world. How every day, I wake up to a horrible world. It's corrupt by war, numerous deaths happen every day. Don't you just wish you could bring back peace?"
    "I know what you mean Mario. It's amazing how one horrible creature can cause a feud between two governments."
    "You mean Wart right?"
    "Yes. He's a monster. He's killed many of my friends and…"
    "…and captured you."
    "Yes. It was horrible."
    "So," Mario changed the subject, "how's life in the castle?'
    "Same old story," Peach said. "I get up, have breakfast served to me. Have my makeup put on; my bed is made for me. I almost wish that I could live the usual life of an average civilian. Looks like he wants you to go in." She pointed out the red light was now off.
    "Don't forget to write." Mario flirted. Peach smiled and Mario walked into Fungi's office. Whether it was about Croco or the nukes. Mario thought he was going into his first mission. Peach watched Mario walk in and thought that he was a really nice guy. She then continued to sort some papers.