Chapter 11

Another day…

I was moving some boxes near one of the entrances when I noticed a lot of soldiers coming through the hallways. I stepped towards the hallway to get a better look. Some looked proud and victorious while others looked worse for the wear. Some were even on stretchers, needing medical attention. I could also see Sieg not too far away, overseeing their return.

I managed to recognize one face amongst the soldiers. Cassandra was walking through, her head down. When she passed Sieg, even though they were wearing those odd goggles, I could tell they weren't making eye-contact. They probably didn't want to make a scene…at the behest of my guards, I got back to work.

Later on, I decided to head to the lounge again. This time when I went in, I could see Cassandra at the bar, getting herself drunk. Surprisingly, Elise was there talking to her about…well, I don't really understand half of the medical terminology that comes out of her mouth, but I could see Cass…likes her…? Tolerates her…? I'm not really certain…

I decided to play piano again for a bit before going up for a drink myself.

"Um…hello, Cassandra." I said as I got my drink.

"Go away…" She groaned. "I'm not in the mood…"

"What happened?" I asked her.

"Bad shit." She bluntly said. "Now, go before my day somehow gets worse."

"Worse how?" A ghostly pale Octoling with zebra-striped tentacles leaned over.

"SON OF A MOTHERFUCKER!" Cassandra shouted.

"Heya, Cappy!" He grinned. "Been too long."

"I hate you…" She told him. "You're an annoying bastard and I wish your tube cracked…"

He then…changed his appearance?! He looked a lot like Cassandra and flipped his tentacles around for effect. I just stared there in disbelief.

"I just wanna say hiiiii…" He…sounded just like Cassandra… "You're much too fun to stay away from…"

Cass stared at him. He…she…? It just stared back.

"…You're lucky I don't feel like punching myself today." Cass said. "Just try to keep your word count to a minimum."

"I'll try, but no promises." He said as he turned back.

"Um…who are you?" I asked. "And how can you do…that?"

He looked at me, and sighed before smiling. "Right…I'm the reason you are here."

"…Huh?" I stared at him.

"Right…let me make this simpler." He then flipped his tentacles as they turned light blue and he turned a darker shade…wait…

"You're that annoying simpleton from the Tournament!" I realized.

"Yeah, sorry. Name's Eye, though I also go by Ivan. I'm a-" He didn't get to finish as I punched him in the nose.

He reeled back and held his nose as his colors changed back. "Wow…you hit almost as hard as Beth…"

I just glared at him.

"…Right…" He sat down and leaned back. "Anyway, I'm only right here because my cover got blown and Elise is here. Hi, Elise!"

"Hello!" She waved.

"Are you two…good friends?" I asked.

"And squadmates." He added.

"Right…" I took a sip of my drink. "I'm just going to play more piano."

"Have fun." He waved as I headed off.

I played piano for another while. The three over there at the bar seemed to have an okay time. Cassandra just kind of got drunk and sulked a bit while the other two conversed with each other.

Soon enough, I finished playing for the evening and headed back to my pod for the night.

The Next Day…

It was some more working and soon enough, I was in Sieg's office. I decided to sketch him again. Rather easy to do so since he just stays focused on his work, barely moving, and never changing his expression. It's amazing how most of the time he's practically a robot…

Overall, it's fairly unentertaining in here. Suppose I could ask a few questions.

"Hey, Sieg." I turned towards him. "Do you have a moment?"

"I really don't, but what is it?"

"What exactly is-um…Eye?

He sighed and rubbed the side of his head. "He's more talkative than he should be…how much do you know?"

"He's the one who squidnapped me. He somehow changed his voice and appearance to look like Cassandra."

"…He's an experiment of Elise's father. Apparently given traits found in some of our distant ancestors. He was sent to be a spy in Inkopolis, though he'll probably have to assume a new identity if he wishes to continue."

"You're just willing to tell me this?"

"He loves to flaunt it around when he's here, so I'm not surprised he already told you more than he should have. It wouldn't harm too much in elaborating more since you're so curious. Besides, he served his purpose enough, so it won't matter that his cover got blown by Salmonlings living in the city."

"They exist there too?"

"Apparently there are at least two. I don't know how adjusted to the city they are."

This…is all news to me…has this happened after the tournament, or do I need to get out more...? Hard to say, but it's worth checking whenever I am back home.

"Anything else?" He asked.

"Are there...any others like him?" I wondered.

"I will not disclose that." He simply stated.

"Okay...that'll be all for questions, I suppose..." I shrugged.

He nodded and went back to his work.

I just ended up doing what I could to not be too bored before I ended up doing more work. I feel like I'm just bound to wait here until something happens.

Another POV…

She headed out again, leaving me to myself. I looked at my pen for approximately thirty seconds before turning on the intercom.

"Eye, I need you in my office."

About two minutes and thirty six seconds later, he showed up in in his usual demeanor.

"You need me, boss?"

"Indeed I do. I need you to make a delivery to 9943 Mariana Lane."

"What kind of delivery?"

"The sending a message kind. I think Mr. Notodarus needs some more convincing."

He saluted. "I got what you mean, boss man."

"Good. Now, pick up storage package number 12-1-1. I want it delivered as soon as possible. Dismissed."

He nodded and headed out. He may be borderline insufferable at times, but he's also reliable. If the initial squidnapping won't work, perhaps it's time for something more…