Chapter 38
Later…Infirmary
I was curious though…Traeger just seemed to stop working, so I decided to look for myself.
He was hooked up to the usual medical equipment. It was weird…he must've replaced his lungs or something since he wasn't breathing, yet was somehow still alive.
I then heard footsteps.
"Is he here, Doctor?" Asked an Octoling girl in a…kimono?
"Yes, Miss Julia." The doctor told her. "We have him hooked up right here."
"Oh, my poor brother…" She went over to him. "…Can I have a few moments alone with him?"
"Sure." The doctor replied.
She doctor then shooed everyone else out of the room.
…I decided to go into the next room, shift forms, and hop in the vent.
Something was off about her…I started listening.
"…Yan…" I heard Julia speak. "I won't lie…I've hated you since the moment you were born…you disgusting, crippled, diseased, pathetic, parasite…your very birth almost killed mother, you know. No wonder she sent you off. Come on, you must've known I was the favorite..."
Geez, this family is screwed up…
"But I'm not here to insult you, little Yannie…" She said. "I'm going to do the one good thing I ever did for you…"
I then heard a yanking sound, followed by one long beep.
"…And put you out of your misery." She finished. "Goodbye Yan…"
I then crawled out of the vent and went back into the hallway. I could see Julia walking over to the doctor with the fakest tears I've ever seen.
"What happened?" The doctor asked.
"I-I had to…" She sniffled. "It was all I could do for him. He would've wanted it this way…
Wow…she's a cold bitch…a horrible liar though…
She then walked my way. I gave her a knowing look while she just turned her nose up at me.
Oveconfident, narcissistic, two-faced, and...yup…likely in denial of more than a few things about herself.
Well, Yan Traeger's dead…
…
I'm gonna get a drink.
Two Days Later…
I showed up to Auditorium 4. It was a ceremony of a few people becoming Elites. I got in line behind the other to-be Elites.
There was a decent amount of people there. Much more than the wimpy ceremony Traeger gave me. As the line was put onto the stage, I could recognize some of the people in the audience. Some were recruits I've trained, surprised to see me there, Elise was in the audience as well as some striped Octoling next to her…I think I've seen him before…oh, Merisse was here too. Must've heard about my promotion, and next to her was…Allen?! Huh…I called him Allen…he was next to Angela, who kept eyeing him, as well as three little not fully formed Octolings…must be their kids…okay, I'll admit they made some adorable kids…and I feel the urge to pinch their cheeks.
Soon enough, Sieg showed up on stage, gave a grandiose speech about the Gorge, the army, and the new Elites. He soon started announcing the names of the new Elites and they'd go to him, get their new gear and black hair dye, and return to the line. They'd each get applause from the crowd.
When it was my turn, I got applause, but most of the people looked hesitant to do so. Probably knew me. Elise did a happy clap though, as did her pale, striped friend. Allen gave me casual applause, Angela kept eyeing him while giving applause, their kids must've thought it was a clapping contest or something since they were jumping around and clapping. Merisse, with a blank face, gave me a thumbs up.
I returned to the line.
"Now, by the powers invested in me as your Sector Commander," Sieg said. "I give all these Octolings Elite status."
The crowd applauded again and the line of Elites was led into the next room.
"You may apply your dye and seaweed now." An Octotrooper told us.
We did as he said…wow…black hair…it's beautiful…and the kelp…I look so cool…
"Must be your dream come true, huh Cass?" One now-Elite asked me. "You always talked about being an Elite…"
"Well, I'm glad someone finally gave me what I deserve." I managed to keep my composure.
We then left the room, now official Elites.
I was then stopped by Elise.
"Now that you're on our squad, let me show you to your room." She said.
"Room?" My eyes widened.
"Of course!" She nodded. "Member of a Commander's personal squad is one of the highest Elite positions."
Woah…
She led me to the room. Like all rooms I've seen down here, it was kind of small, but it was still a lot bigger than the pods…
"I-I need a minute…" I told her.
"Oh, okay." She closed the door.
I sank to my knees.
I started feeling my hair…rubbing the kelp…
"I…I did it…" I started crying. "Ha…hahaha…I finally did it…"
This…this…is the best day of my life…
Ten Minutes Later…
I exited the room, Elise was…kind enough, I guess…to wait.
"Well, I'll guide you around the Gorge." She said. "A lot's changed since you left and I'll help you get adjusted."
"Sounds good to me." I crossed my arms.
"Oh, it's grand!" She told me. "There's the market, the new courses, the mines, the recreational areas, the Salmonlings, the-"
"Salmonlings, what?" I was confused by that term.
"Oh, you'll love them!" She assured me. "They're fairly rowdy, but you'll get used to them! They're simply a medical miracle!"
"Um...right…" I was a bit hesitant.
Age 23
Lord Octavio has returned to us and he's requesting troops. I'm sending you to Octo Canyon to assist in his newest plan.
Which is…?
The same as the last one…with a bonus though…
Alright…just a warning though…I go against the agents again, I can't guarantee I'll be on my best behavior.
I don't care if you harm an Inkling…especially an agent. All I'm asking is that you don't embarrass us in the Gorge too much.
Will I be getting assistance?
Elise is working on a project and our spy is still in Inkopolis. Sharp is on a mission, but will be available soon should you need him.
…
…Right, I'll send him straight to you when he gets back…
Alright, I won't let you down.
You better not...for your sake…
Er…r-right…
…
Man, this sucks…guarding the Zapfish is soooo boring when there's no action…
Well, at least it's quiet…and these hypnotized troops don't sass.
I wonder if I could get another position if I caught an agent though…it'd be better than Sieg constantly breathing down my neck…
"Hey, Captaaain!" A voice called out. "Splatoon's here."
"Really?" I got up. "You sure, Joanne?"
"Of course, hon." The Elite smirked as she adjusted her shades. "And I've got a brand new brush!"
"And I've got my dualies." I said as I pulled them out. "Let's see who it is…"
We swam over in the pre-laid ink to the bridge and saw a tan, yellow-haired Inkling with red eyes in a neon yellow Jacket splat two soldiers.
"Recognize her?" Joanne asked.
"No..." I replied as the Agent grabbed the Zapfish. "She's new…"
"Nice moves!" Joanne shouted out.
The Agent looked up at us.
"Thanks!" The Agent responded. "Be honest, is this really your army's best? Because I've seen better fighters in my best Turf War matches."
"Not even close, hon." Joanne smirked. "How about I give you a taste?"
She then immediately jumped off and did a splashdown.
Hm…let's see…
The agent's cocky, that's for sure…
She's definitely skilled, but less experienced. Joanne has her completely on the ropes…
She's out of her element with that Splattershot thing. She even mentioned a desire for a brush during their fight…
She's also young and I doubt she knows about me yet…
*Splat*
Joanne's ghost flew off into the distance.
The agent barely managed to splat her.
Oh, I've got an idea…
An awful idea...
A wonderfully, awful idea...
When the agent got up and looked at me, I just smirked and walked off.
Oh yeah…I have a plan for you, runt…
Cassandra's story continues in: An Inkling's Adventure!
Author's Note: Thanks all of you for following this angst-filled adventure! It was a rough road for her, but Cass's adventure ended on a somewhat happy note. Of course, her story continues past this, as most of you know, but it was fun writing the backstory for her. It was a wild ride and I hope you enjoyed reading it, and my feel free to read my other works too! I wish you all well and have a nice weekend!