Chapter 12: Reconciliation

Squidbeak Splatoon Headquarters… (Shepard's POV)

After Cephalon and the Squidbeaks got to know each other, we all sat down to listen to the old man's speech. It didn't take him long to get started.

"Everybody's here? Good. Let me start this off from the beginning: Just over one year ago, Cephalon Agent 4F or as most of you now know her, Klara, was on a recon mission in Dome 28. But, during her stay there, she managed to find a Hybrid."

He paused to let that sink in. apparently the others hadn't known about Akali.

"She brought the Hybrid back with her to the Cephalon HQ after a small fight with the Octarians, and recently the Hybrid started training to join the Splatoon."

Chatter broke out, the Agents sounded pretty interested by that idea.

"Unfortunately, it would seem as just as they were finishing up their final training session, they were both knocked unconscious by tranq darts, and the Hybrid was squidnapped by a squad of Octolings."

"Don't worry Cap, we'll get back at 'em!" an agent behind me called out.

"The enthusiasm is appreciated Sarah, but this mission is going to be by far the hardest any of you will ever be assigned, as without perfect stealth, I'm worried alerting the Octarians may end up in our friend getting splatted for good." The old man continued.

"You'll be sent in trios, and Jackson here will actively be workin' on telling you squiddos the newest info on the situation at hand."

"Our first target is going to be Octarian Dome 28, as not only is it where they Octarians learned about our friend, but it's also the closest, and most logical place they'd have put her. Good luck Splatoon, let's get our friend back home." he finished.

The squid kids got geared up for their rescue mission, and I had a chat with the old man outside the HQ.

"You ready to take command, sonny?" He asked.

"Trust me, the only person you're gonna have to worry about is Akali. I'll try not to put you to shame." I remarked, only half jokingly.

"Heh, alrighty then. Splatoon, let's get moving to Cuttlefish Cabin! We've got a long day ahead of us!" He called out.

"Yes sir!" They answered in unison.

Alright, let's get this done.

?, Octarian Dome 28… (Akali's POV)

*Click* *Creaaaaak*

...Who in the shell is it now?

...

...Oh Cod, please not her…

"Hey hon!"

UUUUUUUGH, Cod please strike me down.

"You know, it's been really boring down here ever since ya left, an-"

"If that's the case, let me out of these cuffs, and I'll give you a show you'll never forget."

I said.

"First, don't threaten me with a good time, sweetie. Second,"

*Thwak*

"it's very rude to interrupt people."

"It's also very rude to backhand your captives." I joked. "But, I guess I'm not in a position to teach people manners…"

"That's right hon. Now, where was I? Oh... riiiight."

She grinned at me, and I'll admit I got a bit spooked.

"Thanks to my recommendation, you're gonna be personally combat trained by a very close friend of mine. You're gonna be the head of our new heavy assault infantry unit. Isn't that great?"

Greaaaaaat…

"Well, it was nice chattin' with ya hon, but I've got a patrol to take care of."

She turned away, and was nearly out the door before she looked over her shoulder, and called back;

"By the by sweetie, I didn't beat you into a pulp only because our medical staff have something much better in mind… see ya!"

*Slam*

That absolute sea witch...

Cuttlefish Cabin… (Shepard's POV)

"What button was it to activate this thing?"

"Should be right 'round the top."

Ah, there you are.

"The tac-map right here shows you a holographic version of the battlefield, and is useful for instructing your units on where they should hit next. You can zoom in on it by doing this." The Captain instructed.

"Alright. You know, this is some nice tech you got here, Cuttlefish."

"This isn't even the best part. See that big TV over there? It's hooked up to the cameras on the helmets of the Splatoon. Change the channel, and you have a different squiddo. You'll be able to see who it is through the name of the channel."

"That's all?" I asked.

"Yep. If you need help, I'll be laying down in the room next door. Good luck, Jackson." He gave me a pat on the shoulder, and walked off.

"Thanks."

Octarian Dome 28... (Klara's POV)

I'd been sent to quickly perform Recon duty with Agents 8 and 3.5 of the Squidbeak Splatoon so we wouldn't be going in blind, and I'll admit, I was fangirling -just a bit- over 3.5.

"Klara, have you and your team entered the Dome?"

"Yep. Cameras going online in three, two, one."

"Alright, everything's showing up clear. Recon Team, you're clear to advance. Head to the marker on your HUDs."

A white rhombus appeared on my HUD as Jackson alerted us. The target was about a quarter mile to our north.

"At least we don't have to run a marathon to get there." 3.5 joked.

"But we will have to if you don't shut it!" 8 said quietly.

"Mei, you're no fun." He whispered back.

"Alright you two, let's get moving." I whispered over my shoulder.

We snuck through the shadows along the outer edge of the settlement. We didn't encounter many Octarians, and when the few we did find appeared, we managed to avoid them quietly.

"Alright, two hundred feet out. Be ready for anything." I whispered to my squad.

"By now, they're probably done interrogating her, so let's wait to see if she's still here come recreation period." 8 radioed to me.

We quietly approached the prison, and watched from above on a set of grates leading to a maintenance shaft.

I watched patiently through the scope of my charger, and Jackson watched attentively through our cams.

Finally, we saw inmates start flooding onto the fenced field of the prison.

No... No… Not her... C'mon…Hmmm…

"Where the shell is she?" I whispered.

"Umm, look down there." 8 pointed at the main entrance.

I heard the doors slam shut, and a few feet ahead of the building Akali was being led forward by... wait?! What the?!

"Of course Cass has something to do with this." 3.5 sighed.

"Jackson, are you seeing this?" I asked

"Yep."

Akali was being led by the squad leader from way back when -apparently named Cass- and a small unit of hypnotized Octolings. She had ankle cuffs, and her arms were tied around her back at the elbows. Her wrists had been cuffed together as well…

Wait, is that a shock collar?

Apparently whoever runs this place is a very smart person, because they spared no expense in restraining Akali as best they could. Even then, she still stood proud, and also taller than her captors.

At least her spirits weren't broken.

"Where are they taking her?" I asked

"No idea. Let's just hop along the rooftops to follow her, just to make sure we can keep track of them. It's also probably our safest bet to not get shredded by those Octolings." 3.5 said.

"Alright, squad, let's get moving."

We followed the escort silently until we reached a huge compound that 8 seemed to recognize quite well.

"...The training grounds…it all makes sense now..." She whispered.

"What makes sense?" I asked.

"They're already trying to put her into active service. Hold on, I'll see if I can sneak around down there to follow her. You guys wouldn't last a second if they saw you."

"Wait, what's to stop them from recognizing you?" I asked.

"I'll just knock someone out, and then take their gear. Easy!" She said with a way too innocent smile.

"Alright, good luck."

She leapt off the rooftop, landing with a thud. She then walked up to a lone Octoling guard, and knocked her out by smacking her with her Octoshot. 8 swapped her clothes and gave us her gear after hiding the unconscious guard in a nearby trash bin.

I then radioed in:

"Jackson, Mei is going inside the Facility to pose as an Octoling so we know where our friend is going to. You won't be able to use her cams, over."

"Copy."

I just hope she ends up ok.

Octoling Training Grounds… (Mei's POV)

Ugh… I miss having clothes that cover more than a quarter of my body… and my squad... but still, I guess we need this info. Alright, where did she go…

Aha!

Cass had ditched her guard, now leading the Hybrid by herself. She was pretty far down the hall, best to keep my distance, but I'll have to make sure not to lose her.

…

I'd been walking for a long time, and I was starting to lose my nerve. Wandering the halls made me feel like I was a recruit again, and that was not a fun time

…

Wait, I thought that place was out of service… exactly.

I realized where she must be heading too, so I decided to turn back. But as I turned, I stared a hypnotized octoling right in the shades, and she asked:

"So, what are you doing here?"

I tried my best not to panic.

"Umm, I'm a bit lost, do you know where the test grounds are? I'm really bad with directions."

"Ah, no problem, they're right down that hallway to the left." She said politely.

"Thanks!" I said as I walked back down the hallway.

"No problem." She called.

Phew, thank Octo that went well…

I made my way back to the main doorway, made sure no one was looking, and super jumped to Klara and Arnold.

"You okay?" Klara asked.

"Yeah… had a close call though." I panted

I took a second to catch my breath, and then told her about what happened.

"Right, they're taking your friend down to the heavy weapons division of the training grounds. They must be preparing her for a new unit though, because that place supposedly hasn't been used since the Great Turf War."

"Alright. By the way, thanks for being brave when we needed you. Without you, I don't know what the shell we'd have done down here."

"Thanks." I said with a warm smile.

Klara then radioed in:

"Jackson, we have the info, and we're heading back, over."

"Alrighty, good job down there guys."

I turned to Klara, and asked:

"By the way, can I have my normal clothes now? This armor is way too tight."

"Yeah, no problem." she said with a grin.