Crab army

The crab army behind Herbert

The crab army, usually referred to as just crabs, was a mostly unseen group of crabs led by Klutzy that assisted Herbert P. Bear in his schemes, primarily in 2011 and 2012. The crab army only physically appeared once, in issue 370 of the Club "Herbert" Times, but were alluded to or mentioned a handful of times in Field-Ops (list here), EPF Phone messages (list here), and elsewhere. Little details are known about the army, including how Herbert recruited them.

History

2010

This section covers Field-Ops 17-30.

In October, the Elite Penguin Force detects snapping noises underground, and again near the ocean. Not long after, multiple attacks occur on the EPF's system for the following few weeks while thefts are made around the island. These are part of Herbert P. Bear's plan to rebuild the Ultimate Protobot 10000.

2011

After the Protobot is rebuilt early in the year, he, Herbert, and the Test Robots attack the EPF in System Defender but are fended off. Herbert requests that he and Protobot only communicate through the crabs rather than using decrypted messages that the EPF can track. With a crab, Herbert leaves a note for Protobot telling him to jam the EPF's communication, although Dot happens to witness the crab at the Stadium and finds the note.

Finding the note causes the EPF to realize Herbert has more crabs than Klutzy working for him. When Protobot and Herbert go quiet later in March, the EPF look for signals from crabs and find one that Rookie translates as "Keep cutting fishing lines. Keep tapping on glass. Keep taking Puffle'Os." Later, Herbert breaks off his alliance with Protobot.

In August, Herbert is forced into an unnatural hibernation during the EPF's Operation: Hibernation, and a cell is built around him to detain him for the time being.

2012

The first and second section covers Field-Ops 63-69.

Since Herbert's detainment, the EPF kept an eye on crab activity around the island and at the beginning of the year, Gary the Gadget Guy notes they have been strangely quiet. Weak signals in the ocean in the form of crab clicks are detected that say "Don't stand still" over and over; Rookie notes the clicking sounds slower and louder than normal. Not long after, the Underwater Expedition Rookie planned is sabotaged by the crabs, as they tripled the amount of anvils Rookie ordered (to lower the Beach slightly to reach underwater caves) after he placed the order. As this happens, Herbert is taken out of his cell by unknown means; the security footage is temporarily shut off while this happened. Presumably, Herbert was extracted by the crabs in the commotion of the island sinking.

The EPF discover the tripled anvil order a few weeks later, leading Dot to believe this was a sabotage and not Rookie's fault. The EPF also finds a large pizza order made the day Herbert was freed: in addition to 50 seaweed pizzas for Herbert, there were also 50 seaweed pizzas, likely for the crabs.

During Operation: Blackout Herbert manages to take over the island and nearly defeat the EPF. He sends his army of crabs to search for and capture any agents they can, and freeze them in Freezer Pods. This includes Tactical Lead Jet Pack Guy, who the crabs ambush. Herbert's plan is later thwarted and the island is saved.

2013

Although the crab army does not seem to have any further involvement in Herbert's schemes, Protobot mentions them during the Marvel Super Hero Takeover 2013 when he tries to take over the island, intending to "eliminate" Herbert and his crab minions when his takeover is complete although his plans end up stopped.

Trivia

• The crab army was originally meant to be led by a scrapped ancient crab character named Klawdius, and feature more unique crab villains that would have also had names starting with "K" (including Klepto who has no involvement with any other characters). Klawdius made a few cameos but never ended up appearing, nor did any other crabs involved with Herbert besides Klutzy. Although the Klawdius idea was initially approved i was later dropped by the senior Club Penguin staff and Klutzy was made leader of the army instead.