Chapter 25

Tim's POV

I could definitely do with some sleep. It's been a long day…

I looked around, then to Aleck, who was on the couch.

"I-uh…heard space was an issue in the domes…" I said to him. "Why do you have a whole house?"

"Domes with cities in them are meant for civilians." He explained. "More specifically, ones with families."

"Where's yours?" I wondered.

"My wife's in the hospital." He told me. "She recently gave birth and she needs to stay there for a bit for reasons I won't disclose. The rest of my children have moved out by now."

"You miss them?" I asked.

"Of course." He replied. "Parents would obviously miss their loved ones when they leave."

…Hm…

"…You should get some sleep." He said, probably knowing what I was thinking about.

I nodded my head, walking into the other room. I removed my goggles from my…wait…my goggles! Let me see if I can…yes!

I put them on and made a call.

…Come on…Come on…

"…Tim!" Sarah's voice came in. "I'm so glad you're okay! Where are you?!"

"I'm in one of the domes in uh… an ally's place…" I phrased it in case someone else was listening. "We're going to rest here. It should be fine to spend the night here. You guys should get some rest too…"

"You sure you'll be alright, Tim?" She asked. "What about Octavio?"

"He's here too." I told her. "We're planning on…ugh…gaining control of the hypnotized troops…"

"That's an awful plan." Sarah said. "I mean, that's just using more hypnosis."

"I hate it too," I assured her. "But in terms of getting Julia out of the picture, it may be our best bet…"

"…Well, I'll talk to the others about this…" She told me. "Anything happens, you give us a call."

"Will do." I agreed. "Bye."

"Bye."

We both hung up.

Hm…well, time to sleep…

Cuttlefish Cabin…

Agent 4 just hung up her phone, the others looking at her.

"They're fine, but they're gonna rest a while." She told them. "We should too…"

"I'm not so sure about resting…" Agent 3 said. "I doubt Julia's going to rest…"

"She'll have to." Marie pointed out. "She's had a long day, same as us, and neither side will be in any condition to fight at the moment…"

"Fine…" Agent 3 reluctantly agreed. "But we should probably rest here, sleeping in shifts, and have some people scouting at the least…"

"That works." Callie nodded her head. "I'll grab futons!"

"What about food?" Guyver asked. "I'm hungry…"

"It's been long enough since the last time…" Marie said. "I'll order some Pineapple-free pizza."

The Splatoon and company prepared for a nice rest, another day to battle awaiting them…

Octo Canyon HQ…

As soon as the last of the Elites were respawned, it was time to plan.

"Alright, my forces are attempting to locate the Royals." Julia told the other officer. "Focus on protecting the core domes while we double our efforts."

"If I may make a suggestion…" The Octo Gorge Officer said. "I could lend my forces as to cover more ground."

"Are you assuming my forces aren't good enough?" Julia appeared offended.

"I'm not saying that at all." She assured Julia. "I'm just saying we should be able to find them easier with our troops combining forces."

"Look, I'll focus on finding the Royals, you focus on keeping the Squid brats out of here." Julia ordered her.

"Yes, Commander Julia…" The Officer saluted and walked out.

As soon as she was gone, Julia pulled out a communicator.

"Julia to Gia. I repeat, Julia to Gia." Julia spoke into the device. "Have you found her?"

"Not yet, my Commander." She responded. "We're searching to the best of our abilities though."

"Good…" Julia nodded her head. "Keep looking."

"Yes, my Commander." She replied before Julia turned off the communicator.

Julia then put her head in her hands.

"Oh Octo, Valerie…where are you…?" Julia sighed. "…I hope you're safe…"

In the Hallways…

The Officer walked down the hallway, soon reaching an empty room and quickly entering it. She then pulled out a communicator of her own and turned it on.

"My Commander, Cyan reporting in." She spoke into the communicator.

"Do you have an update for me, Lieutenant?" Commander Sieg asked.

"Julia is acting a bit…off…" She told him. "She's having us protect the core areas as well as block the Splatoon's access to the domes while her forces search for the Royals."

"Why would she need to be searching for the royals?" Octavio asked. "Wouldn't they be coming straight to us if they're no longer in the Splatoon's hands?"

"She's claiming they're stuck in the ink pool outside somewhere…" She explained. "They could be unconscious in the ink somewhere, but some of my soldiers say that many of her soldiers were redeployed to other domes…that doesn't add up…"

"No…it doesn't…" Sieg agreed. "Keep an eye on her as well as her soldiers…based on past experiences with her, I heavily doubt she's telling you the truth…"

"Yes, Commander." She nodded her head. "I'll keep my eye on her and search for any clues to find out what's going on…Cyan out."

They both turned off their communicators. Cyan then returned to her troops with new orders from both commanders.

"Alright, troops…" She spoke to her troops and hers alone. "We're to protect the core areas. While you're doing that, ask around in secret about the Commander and the Royals…I have a feeling we may not be getting the whole story. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Lieutenant!" Her troops saluted.

Octo Gorge…

Sieg leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen on the desk.

"Julia…" He thought to himself. "Are you searching for the Royals to get them back to their rightful place…or are you searching for them for your own purposes…? Judging from my past experiences with you, as well as knowledge of your family's history, I wouldn't be a fool to guess that this is your attempt to gain power for yourself…no…that's exactly what is happening, isn't it…? Regardless, I'm sure you'll get exactly what you deserve in the end…everything that happens next…you brought upon yourself."