Operation: Blackout

Operation: Blackout was an Elite Penguin Force event that started on November 15, 2012 and ended on December 6, 2012, though originally planned to end on December 4. It was confirmed on Herbert's, Polo Field's and Billybob's Twitter accounts. Polo Field also blogged about the team making sounds for November. This was the first time Herbert makes an appearance as a mascot, and it was confirmed by Polo Field on his Twitter account.

Herbert's plans are to turn Club Penguin Island into Club Herbert, capture all the top EPF agents (including G, Dot, Jet Pack Guy, Rookie and the The Director of the Elite Penguin Force but not PH and Rory. The blackout was to block out the sun using a high frequency infrared reversion laser in his fortress, as well as destroy the Everyday Phoning Facility, thus destroying the EPF Command Room itself. Once done, Herbert will destroy the rest of the island using the sun's energy as a weapon, and EPF Agents will have to break into his fortress and stop him. As Herbert blackens the sun, the island is experiencing a rapid increase of snowfall.

Storyline
The Operation began at Nov. 15, 2012 and The Director of the Elite Penguin Force gave the instructions. Herbert has taken over the island, and has frozen the EPF's top agents in his fortress.

Stage 1
The Agents broke into Herbert's Fortress, and they had to disable the Security Terminal 1.

Stage 2
On November 16, agents were given a Grappling Hook which they used to pull a lever and open the door to access Security Terminal 2 and disable it. but you need to know how to throw the grappling hook.

Stage 3
On November 18, agents are given a Plasma Laser, which they use to cut through another one of Herbert's doors and disable Security Terminal 3. Also, Herbert captured Dot and froze her along with Gary.

Stage 4
On November 20, agents equipped the Deflection Vest to cross a laser security system and infiltrate Security Terminal 4. Rookie was also captured by Herbert.

Stage 5
On November 22, agents equipped the Smoke Goggles to see through a smoke screen and infiltrate another location of the last terminal, Security Terminal 5. Jet Pack Guy was captured by Crabs.

Stage 6
On November 24, agents used the Anti-Lava Boots to walk across the lava and enter Herbert HQ, disabling the High Frequency Infrared Reversion Laser. The Director was also captured.

Aftermath
All the captured agents are freed. When the agents turn off the Solar Laser, its self-destruction will be activated. Penguins around the island rejoice, and the sun comes back out, while Herbert screams in defeat. The Director congratulates you for freeing Club Penguin from Herbert's dictatorship, and reveals her identity to be...Aunt Arctic! Rookie was meetable for the rest of the event.

Trivia

 * Billybob proved in his appearance on the Server Cloudy that Herbert will be meetable during Operation: Blackout.
 * In issue #365 of The Club Penguin Times,Herbert P. Bear asked how to build a high frequency infrared reversion laser which he used to blackout Club Penguin Island using the name 'Hurbert.P.Enguin' to fool Gary to get the answer.
 * Club Penguin has been working on Operation: Blackout since 2010 and was supposed to be held in 2011 after Operation: Hibernation. It was postponed to 2012.
 * If you visit clubherbert.com it will show you Herbert's plans.
 * When ClubHerbert.com came out, there was a picture of Gary and Dot, the top two on Herbert's to capture list, taped to the wall and some penguins believed that they were captured. Then a picture of Rookie was added and it was believed that he was also captured. (This rumor proved to be false due to the update of ClubHerbert.com and Rookie appeared in the Club Penguin Times Issue #368)
 * There was another update on ClubHerbert.com where Gary is crossed out and on the top is Dot, Rookie and Jet Pack Guy and on the right hand there a picture of Gary trapped in a tube, suggesting Dot may be kidnapped next.
 * There is a new stage play: My Awesome Life - The Herbert Story.
 * Polo Field has said that Herbert will be a mascot in Operation: Blackout (Confirmed in Twitter and the Club Penguin Blog)
 * During Operation: Blackout, players were not allowed to complete the test to become an EPF agent due to the fire and the blackout.
 * As the Operation went on the island got considerably snowier as seen in the preview. The snow forts got bigger and buildings became buried.
 * Many penguins said that the Club Penguin Island will be covered by snow lately in November 2012.
 * During Operation: Blackout, there is a Snow Cat outside the Lighthouse carrying supplies.
 * The Super Rink made its return on 22nd November because the Stadium froze.
 * It was confirmed in a video that the Director is Aunt Arctic. Not only that but we hear her voice both regular and disguised similar to the shorts
 * Even though the storm covered the island with snow the Water Dojo is still running water.
 * This party has set a Club Penguin record, with 1.8 million penguins logged on on November 24, 2012, the largest amount of penguins logged on at a specific time.
 * This is the second Operation of the EPF.
 * Rookie appeared for the last few days of Operation: Blackout.
 * It was to end on December 4th, but it was extended two days (CP hasn't specified if it was intentional or not.).
 * If you access ClubHerbert.com after Operation: Blackout, you will find Herbert's Desk without the list and the agents' pictures, but with a message in the screen saying: "Herbert Percival Bear. Villain at large. YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF ME".
 * After the event, most of Club Penguin got a remodel as part of The Journey.

Glitches during the party

 * There was a glitch when the party first came out where in the Paradise played the Holiday Party music instead of it's own music.
 * Even with the VR Room had been closed due to the fire of the Tube Transport, it still can be accessed normally with the link http://play.clubpenguin.com/?login=true&rm=213#/login/.
 * There is a glitch where you can enter the main command room and also a glitch where you can see Terminal 5.
 * The ClubHerbert.com website was not updated when the other four agents were captured, while when Gary was captured it was updated. This has been fixed.
 * There has been a glitch when Club Penguin was updated for the snowstorm, everyone got a free Membership. But it only lasted 10 minutes. But it was confirmed that every time the island gets updated, the same thing will happen.
 * There is a glitch where you can defeat Herbert before November 24. You can also see the High Frequency Infrared Reversion Laser destroyed and the skies blue.

Places Changes
When Herbert took over Club Penguin, he decalibrated the tour guide information. The new information and names are as follows.

Billboards

 * The Island is Doomed
 * Gear Up/Enjoy It Before I destroy it
 * Save The Island/Boom!

Music

 * Main Theme
 * Herbert's Fortress
 * Paradise
 * Stage

Rooms

 * Herbert HQ
 * Central Lock Down
 * Paradise
 * Sector 1
 * Sector 2
 * Secret Tunnel
 * EPF Resistance

Video
Operation: Blackout Video