This month's Salmon Run gear is a pair of Octarian Goggles from the first game. It's nice to have something to back up my once completely baseless theory.

—

Did she ever truly recover her strength? Perhaps the exhaustion pushed her to sleep. Perhaps it was her desire to escape, back to a world where nothing was wrong.

Whatever the case, Callie woke up in bed. Not her bed, but she was none the wiser. She didn't want to leave the comfort of the mattress, dismissing all she saw as a bad dream and nothing more.

She was shocked back to reality when she opened her eyes, realizing she was in an unfamiliar environment. The ceiling was dark and the bed was not hers. The events from some time before rushed back to her.

"Morning," called a voice from the other side of the room.

On instinct, she responded in kind. The entire room as artificially lit, with each light dim. It was cold, fueling her desire to stay in bed. However, she knew she couldn't.

"Need anything?" The voice called. She leaped out of the covers, and subsequently realized she had nothing to defend herself with.

"You..." he said.

Callie, once she got a good look at his face, realized the one standing before her was one of the Octolings she tore from the Hypno-Shades' grip.

"You're Agent 1?! Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry for the other day, I shouldn't have treated you like that-"

"Cut it," she interrupted. "Where am I?"

"In the sky. We're in the main base of the Octarians. "

She grabbed his collar. "Are you with Akash?"

"No, no, I swear! Here, come on, I'll take you to our leader."

Along the way, he introduced himself as Barry and explained that he, along with many other Octolings, operated within the enemy base. They existed in secret, not allowing Akash or any of his subordinates to know.

They called themselves the Octarians Against Tyranny and Hatred, or OATH. It was an unofficial organization, sending a few brave individuals into the main base in order to gather information.

She never let her guard down.

They finally reached a room, where there were multiple computers and Octolings working on them. One in particular was watching over one. "Octavio," Callie said. Everyone in the room turned to look at her, Octavio included.

"Hello," he said, "it's good you're awake. What's your name?"

What? That can't be right. He had to know her. After all, she did spend quite a while with him. Or maybe he was trying to earn her trust?

"Lie..." she answered.

"The general told us he rescued one of you," Barry explained. "You look the most like Agent 1, so that's who we assumed you were. Are you sure you should have told us your name?"

"Doesn't matter anymore..." Callie said. She decided to play along for now. "What happened in the attack," she winced, "and where are the others?"

"The attack," Octavio explained, "it succeeded. They found anyone and splatted them. Once they respawned, a pair of Hypbo-Shades was put on their head. Come with me," he said. "I have things to say to you. In private."

She followed him into another room, keeping an eye on everyone.

"Listen," Octavio said. "Akash attacked Inkopolis. There were nine people who led the attack. Five were his children, and the rest were you four."

She was beginning to get annoyed. "Yeah, I know. Now what was it that you wanted to tell me? Everyone out there knows that already."

"You were the only one I managed to find. The other three were too far into the city. I managed to get you out of there before anyone caught me."

"I know that too. Why else would I be here?" Octavio seemed like a completely different person when not masquerading as a DJ.

He sighed. "I'm sorry, okay? Not like I have another option but to say that. We won't be able to fight him if we're fighting each other."

She had no choice but to nod in approval.

"You won't be able to enter the city for a while," Octavio explained. "The one you call Agent 4 is out there with a large group rounding up the stragglers. Agent 2 is training some new 'recruits' and Agent 3 is off collecting Golden Eggs with three novices. Oh, and playing that song won't work. The shades now double as headsets, and they won't hear anything other than Akash."

"Got it," she said, keeping her piercing gaze at him. "Three seems like the best option right now. We'll have to wait for night to rescue Two, and Four apparently has a large group watching her. Are there any tracking devices on them?"

"The Hypno-Shades. Once you break those, they're home free."

She decided to trust them for now, because it was her only chance to free them. "Do you have a weapon for me?"

"Here," he quite literally kicked the bucket as he gave her the Hero Slosher. "It's the original. Nothing new."

"Is he out right now?" She asked. "We should be able to deal with three."

"Yes," he said. "Now, to get you there."

—

There was a boat. Different from any of Grizzco's. Barry was chosen to accompany her, as he was one of the few OATH members who could fight. A few more she didn't know manned the boat.

Octavio headed to Inkopolis, but for what reason, she didn't know.

Barry kept trying to start a conversation, but she refused to speak.

They were heading to Marooner's Bay. They would approach from the southern end and jump right onto the area. Super Jumping would be impossible, as the wave would still be underway. From there, they would break the shades on all four of the workers, thus freeing them. She only hoped they had the sense to keep shooting when free.

They would then make their way back to the boat and escape.

If all went well, four more would join the OATH.