Chapter 2: Unexpected Encounter
Saero's view
After working a few days, it was finally the weekend, meaning I didn't have to work today. As I strolled the plaza, I could feel the gazes of people looking at me. I ignored them, and continued walking, checking each store to see what they had. Eventually, the TV turned on, and I figured it was just going to just show Turf War news. But when I heard a familiar voice, I quickly turned toward the screen in surprise. Sure enough, I recognized one of the two female Inklings on the screen. I watched through the entire program before the screen turned black again. "Th-That was Callie.", I said out loud. Callie had been an old friend of mine from when I was still in school. We got along pretty well, but one day she just transfered out. Nobody from my school knew why, though.
Just then, I heard some other Inklings talking. "The Squid Sisters are so cool!", one of them said, "I wish I was like them!" "Excuse me.", I said to them, "But who are the Squid Sisters?" "You don't know?", one of them asked, "They're the two idols that were just on the TV." "I-Idols?!", I asked in surprise, "So Callie's an idol now?" The two gave eachother a confused look. "Well, thanks for answering my question.", I said before walking off." 'So is that why she transfered out all those years ago?'
A few more months passed, and the majority of my work ended up being repair work for broken weapons. But one day I noticed something odd. The giant Zapfish, which I heard was supposed to be on Inkopolis tower, had suddenly vanished. I then heard the TV turn on, and I waited through the Turf War news. After that, they started talking about the missing Zapfish and a UFO crash. I figured it was all just a coincidence and didn't think about it at all. I just continued doing my job.
However, a few days later, I encountered a hooded figure that wanted to talk to me. After leading me into an alley and making sure nobody was watching, she told me that the Zapfish disappearing wasn't a coincidence, and that it was caused by an Octarian that wanted revenge on the Inklings. I could tell it was female because of the pitch in her voice. However, I was doubtful. I asked her to show me proof that what she was saying was true. She once again checked that nobody was watching before breifly removing her hood, revealing octoling tentacles tied into a ponytail, as well as her green eyes with purple markings, before putting it back on.
I was still sceptical, but then I noticed another Inkling who seemed to be in a rush. I looked through the corner as the Inkling checked her surroundings before sliding through the sewer grate. The octoling then told me that she was an agent trying to recover the stolen zapfish. I was still unsure, but she did make a risky move by showing me what she was, so I decided to check it out for myself. Besides, even though I don't do Turf Wars, I was still pretty good with my weapon, so I could at least fight if it turned out to be a trap.
Inside the sewer system, I followed the hooded Octoling through the tunnels until we eventually made a stop. "This is the exit to Octo Valley.", she said, "There will be an old Inkling called Captain Cuttlefish up there to explain everything to you. But please, don't tell him about me. He doesn't know about me, and if he finds out, well..." "I understand.", I said back, "But if this ends up being a trap, I'll splat you faster than you can say my full name." "That reminds me.", the Octoling said, "I didn't introduce myself. I'm Dorea, Dorea Sastelle." I scratched my head before deciding to give her my name. "Saero Yatama." I then walked up the ladder, leaving Dorea in the sewer system. "Saero, huh?", Dorea said, before walking off.
*To be continued*
