Penguins approach Louis with suggestions for how he should manage the crisis. One says he must solve the problem on his own because he’s the leader. Another suggests he listen to young penguins who are experts on ice, and, when he objects that many of those are inexperienced and not well liked, the reply is, “So what’s your point?” (44).

Louis holds a quiet meeting with Alice, Fred, and Buddy, along with Jordan, “the Professor” and the Council’s intellectual. Louis admits he can’t solve the iceberg crisis by himself and wants them to work together as the team that guides the colony through the crisis.

Jordan asks why Louis assumes that this group will succeed, which irritates Alice. Louis suggests that Jordan evaluate the group and reach his own conclusion. Jordan thinks awhile and decides that Louis is smart, wise, and conservative; Alice is a problem-solver who’s fair-minded and can’t be intimidated; Buddy is well liked and trusted but not intellectual; Fred is younger, curious, and creative. Jordan himself is logical, well read, curious, and not very social. Together, they look like a strong team.