Getting to the Surface

Running through the rancid sewers for what felt like an eternity my eyesight has become accustomed to the darkness of the tunnels and senses numb to the smell of the sewers "just a little further now and I will have reached the Promised Land I feel it" I tell myself my boots squelch with each step through the viscous sludge of the sewers. My stamina reaches its limit as my body screams for reprieve leaning against the wall I remove the bandana that covered my mouth and nose in order to let in more of the stagnant air as I recover from my near endless sprint. Feeling light headed at the sheer amount of putrid air I've been inhaling I force myself to continue sprinting towards the Promised Land I can't fail now, not when I'm so close!

Replacing the bandana around my mouth and nose I continue to run through the sewers until I come across a steep incline with a ladder at the top of the slope with light filtering through "This must be it! I've made it!" warm tears roll down my face as new found energy swells within me as I race towards the ladder wiping away the tears that smeared my face.

Throwing the sewer cover from its perch landing several feet away with a loud metallic thud I climb out of the sewers and stretch my tired limbs breathing in the fresh clean air "this is the Promised Land I've made it" the once noisy crowd of Inklings fall silent as they watch me climb from the sewers "hey dude you came from the sewer?" someone asks from the crowd "uh… yeah" I reply "Whatcha doin down there? Ya some kinda hipster or somethin?" another voice from the crowd this time a female "uh… yeah?" I lie "that's fresh dude" replies the girl and the small crowd disperses seemingly content with my answer or blissfully unaware of what I am: an Octoling.

Nervously making my way through the Crowd of Inklings the sight of neon lights and the numerous large screens displaying some kind of program through the Promised Land catches my eye, but before I could decipher what they mean I see several other Octolings in small groups all wearing the standard neo uniform while others wear military issued researcher lab coats and cloves "Hey!" I call to them the group looks up in surprise before running up to me "You made it?! Were there others with you?" the group leader asks me "some of us didn't make it there was an ambush at All Eyez Station and many of us were captured and the rest of us scattered I'm sure they'll breach soon enough" I try to reassure the forlorn group

"well one more Octoling on the surface fills me with hope that the others find their way up as well" replies the group leader "by the way I'm number 5067 and I'm from the field Study branch" says the group leader, a male Octoling with plum colored tentacles and a scout pack slung around his back, but the most notable thing about him that stands out is the green and yellow chevron weave emblem etched onto his uniform

"and here are numbers 2030, 2031, and 2032 these three are from the Deep Sea Research Branch" pointing to the sisters they each look identical to the other with matching magenta tentacles and white lab coats save for different colored gloves being blue, red, and pink each to their respective sister "what about you? What's your number and function?" number 2030 asks me "I'm number 8064 and I'm from the Mariana Private Guard Bravo Team" the group goes wide eyed at my revelation and 5067 speaks in a hushed voice "that's Top Secret, no, that's beyond Top Secret you're sector doesn't even exist" he says utterly shocked the sisters look at me with apprehension and fear, have they had some experience with the Private Guard before?

"What do you mean? Of course we exist I'm standing right in front of you aren't I?" I question confused about what he meant "what I meant was that normal Octarians like us aren't supposed to know about you for all we know you're a ghost to Octarian society, only heard of through rumors and odd sightings, that's how covert your operation is" explains 5067 in a whisper of a voice "well the Deep Sea Research Branch has had a couple of run ins with the Private Guard, although none of them were pleasant and ended with one of the researchers getting injured" says 2030 in a timid voice

"Well I can tell you it wasn't my team that brutalized our fellow Octolings it must have been the Alpha team they were notorious for their merciless tactics and were known to terrorize those who were of less rank, no offense" I try to reassure 2030 while it doesn't do much to lighten her mood but she does seem relieved somewhat.

I learned from 5067 that the Promised Land is actually called "Inkopolis" and that we were currently in one of hub areas called "Inkopolis Plaza" that borders on Octo Valley "so where do we go from here? I ask 5067 who just shrugs his shoulders "honestly I didn't think I'd make it this far, but you're our superior you tell us and we'll follow" 5067 tells me and the sisters look at me expectantly "well I can go scout for information I'll be right back" I say and depart from the group towards the giant tower as there must be someone there that knows something.

Navigating once more through the crowd I make my way towards the imposing tower where an Inkling in a suit is handing out flyers to Octolings "here's one for you my young friend take this and tell the others that you can get housing in Flounder Heights you only have to take the train leaving from Inkopolis Plaza Station to Stargazer Station" the suited Inkling tells me "thank you I'm sure me and my squad mates will no doubt value this information" shaking the Inkling's hand I run back to my group to tell them the good news

"Hey guys! I have great news!" I announce grabbing their attention "were getting our own Kettles in this place called Flounder Heights!" their faces brighten up after hearing the great news I gave them we erupt into a burst of cheers drawing the attention of several inklings nearby who were startled by the sudden noise "what are we waiting for? Let's get going! I-if that's okay with you Captain 8064 shall we move out post haste?" 5067 asks me sheepishly "We're in the Promised Land free from the depths there are no ranks here and yes let's go!" I tell 5067 who looks relieved as we begin making our way towards Inkopolis Plaza Station

A slight breeze flows through the plaza 2032 takes one more tentative look towards the alley brushing a tentacle from her face and tucking it behind her ear "what's wrong 2032?" asks 2031 "I just can't believe it that we made it to the surface… we've lived our entire lives underground following orders, researching ways to further the war effort, constant testing and experimenting new ideas, and we've always had something to do now… we're free to do what we want no orders, no strict punishment, no end of the day reports I just can't believe it" 2032 says tears running down her face "oh 32…" replies 2030 hugging her crying sister I smile at the scene it must be nice having a sibling, someone to lean on when things get rough "we can save the rest of our tears for when we get our kettle the train's coming" says 2031 pointing the flashing signals