Arc 1 Chapter 8
NOTE: Went back and added some paragraphs. Did some grammar corrections too. Seems the inklings lost their home to the octarians, the squidbeak platoon was wiped out for say Cuttlefish who barely got aware. Things aren't looking good and Blake is still brooding over the visions he's been having and that the great turf war has started. Witnessing the destruction of the inkling's village and their lives has taken a toll on Blake even though he agreed to the lead the inklings to safety, he's keeping his composure praying for any glimmer of hope through this dark time.
Three figures were in a confined room. An older man, an older woman, and a young girl. The man was standing and the woman and girl were sitting on a bed. The man had a distressed look on his face facing the two females.
"Dad?" asked the young girl. "what's going on and where's Blake?" she asked again.
"I... don't know Amy...I hope your brother managed to escape and got help," said the man as he downed his head.
The girl got up off the bed and walked over to the man and hugged him.
"Dad, me and mom are here for you, I know we'll get out of this," said Amy comforting him.
"I'm...sorry I got you both into this mess, " the man said and turned towards Amy and his wife.
"It's ok, dear," said his wife. She got up and walked over hugging her husband.
for a moment as the three were hugging one another the doorknob turned and the door opened to the small room.
A man in a lab coat appeared and waved the family to come out.
"Dr. Brians?" exclaimed the man with his family.
"Dr. Carter, I'm here to get you and your family out, follow me to the cryostasis pod control room," led Dr. Brians.
They soon reached the pod control room with Dr. Brians explaining the situation. Dr. Brians tells Dr. Carter about the serum being released and that an emergency self-sustaining pod launching from the ship and back down to earth.
"No, don't tell me that..." Dr. Carter said as he was cut off by Dr. Brians.
"Yes, I'm afraid so, the crew managed to get a camera feed of who was inside before the pod got out of range. It...was your son," exclaimed Dr. Brians depressingly
"My son!" said a saddened Dr. Carter with family hugging him.
"I'm...sorry Dr. Carter," said Dr. Brians.
"Is there anything we could do?" asked Dr. Carter desperately.
"I'm afraid not Dr. Carter...wait! there might be a way. There are some rescue shuttles on this ship for emergencies, but," said Dr. Brians as he was cut off and grabbed by Dr. Carter.
"Dr. Brian, We have no time, get us to one of the rescue shuttles," asked Dr. Carter frantically.
Dr. Brians gives Dr. Carter an estranged look and sighs. "Alright, I'll take you to the rescue shuttles," said Dr. Brians as him Dr. Carter and his family rush towards the holding bay of the shuttles.
They finally get to the rescue shuttle and climb aboard. Dr. Carter looks back at Dr. Brians and waves, "thank you for everything and inform everyone on what's been going on, we'll be back shortly," shouted Dr. Carter on the rescue shuttle.
The bay door opens and the rescue shuttle takes off towards the earth to retrieve the pod that Blake was in.
The shuttle descends with no pod in sight, but as they descended, the heat from the atmosphere causes some damage to the shuttle and they slowly lose control. Controls on the shuttle frantically flash and beep. The shuttle soon dives further down.
Dr. Carter attempts to regain control as his family is panicking. he levels out the shuttle as they crash into the ocean. The shuttle sinks but a giant life preserver is deployed under the craft allowing to float back up to the surface.
The family opens the hatch looking around when the shuttle finally emerges out of the water.
"what do we do now? asked Amy. "I'm not sure, I hope your brother made the landing," said Dr. Carter. "It looks like we won't be making it back to the Ark," said Dr. Carter looking up at the sky.
They soon spot an island in the distance. "we'll make our way to that island, I'll get the life raft ready and gather up some supplies," he told his family.
They make their way to the island hoping that Blake's pod might have washed ashore.
The image like the ones before fades to black.
Blake finally woke up slowly opening his eyes from the dream he had. Seeing everything that transpired, He was convinced that they were his family and that he needed to find them. He soon noticed an arm around him as he turned over, it was Mimi sleeping beside him. He remembered the night before how she wanted to lay with him for comfort. Everything that had been happening had worked her nerves and she was scared.
Blake sighed and lifted Mimi's arm up and laid it beside her. He quietly got up out of the tent and looked around. They made it to the ruins the night prior to seeking shelter. Ammoses told them about the ancient human ruins and said that it may be the safest place for the inklings to reside for the time being. The ruins comprised of old buildings short and tall, some completely collapsed and others were partially intact. They were covered in foliage as well as old rusted out cars that were laying around the ruins.
He started to walk over to a large tent where Ammoses and a few other inklings were treating the wounded. Blake made his way inside and saw Ammoses looking over a figure lying on a bed. He made his way over to Ammoses and looked at the recuperating figure.
"How is he Ammoses," asked Blake.
"He'll be fine, he just needs a lot of rest," responded Ammoses.
Blake looked back over towards the figure. It was no other than Cuttlefish. His left arm was bandaged as well as his head while he laid on the bed in deep sleep.
"It's a good thing you went back and found him when you did," said Ammoses.
"Yeah, I'm glad I did too...I just hope he recovers soon," replied Blake.
Blake was startled when he felt someone rubbing against his leg purring. It was Judd, consoling Blake, "It's not your fault Blake, as a matter of fact, you may have saved him," said Judd telepathically.
Blake looked down at Judd petting him. "thanks, Judd" said Blake with relief.
Judd looked into Blake's eyes sensing something else was troubling him. "Blake?" asked Judd.
"yeah, Judd," answered Blake.
"You remember, don't you?" said Judd.
"huh?... what are you talking about?" questioned Blake hiding his emotions.
"How you got in that pod, where you came from...your family," said Judd.
"how...did you know?" asked Blake in utter surprise wondering if Judd was also a mind reader.
"I can sense these things...It must be difficult, but I'm glad your starting to remember, I hope things clear up" said Judd as he leaves the tent.
Blake turned back to Cuttlefish then Ammoses. "I heard the conversation who had with Judd, maybe you'll find your family soon," said Ammoses putting his hand on Blake's shoulder trying to reassure him.
"I...hope so...for now I just want Cuttlefish to recover and take care of the inklings," replied Blake.
Blake soon walked out of the tent to be confronted by Mimi. "Oh hey, Mimi," greeted Blake to Mimi.
Mimi had a concerned look on her face. "How, his he," asked Mimi with pleading eyes.
"Ammoses says he'll be fine as long as he gets some rest," replied Blake trying to relieve Mimi.
"That's good news, I'm glad you left when you did last night, even though I was trying to stop you from going back to the village," said Mimi
"well you were just looking out for me and you knew the inklings needed someone here to take care of them, but I had to go back and check on Cuttlefish and the others," replied Blake.
Mimi soon felt some relief from the situation and grabbed Blake's hand and the two walked away to check on the rest of the inklings.
The village was finally occupied by the octarians. The troops had regrouped to the center of the village and placed patrols along the streets while octobombers and octocopters flew around for any inkling stragglers.
"Sir, we have successfully captured the village and the valley, what are your next orders," asked a saluting octoling soldier.
"Those inkstains have gotten away, along with that hipster, Cuttlefish. No matter, we'll catch up to them eventually, assemble the troops and We'll discuss our next move," commanded Octavio.
"Yes, Sir!" replied the octoling as he walked away.
"Sir, what about that treacherous human, I don't think our ink is effective on him as the inklings," asked the black tentacled octoling.
"don't you worry about him, I have something in store for that bonehead, make sure all the troops are accounted for, before I have the army head out," jeered Octavio.
"yes, I will sir!" the black tentacle octoling saluted.
the black tentacled octoling soon turned and walked away. Octavio had many thoughts running through his head about Cuttlefish and inklings. He had pondered what they would do next and with Blake with them, this made things a bit more complicated with Blake being invulnerable to ink.
Hours passed and a team of octolings rushed to Octavio with urgent news. "Octavio, sir we have some news!" exclaimed a male octoling.
"That's DJ Octavio, soldier!" barked Octavio.
"M...My apologizes sir! but we have news from underground, our troops have come across these giant domes, they came across more ancient human technology, much better intact than what has ever been dug up!" exclaimed the octoling.
"Interesting, send what soldiers you can down there and report back," ordered Octavio.
"yes, sir! though the domes seem to be unhabitable we can see with we can power them up with the zapfish," suggested an octoling.
"very well, return to me when the domes are powered," said Octavio.
The octolings saluted and left for the domes.
At the ruins of the human city, Blake was walking around exploring the landscape. He was fascinated by the structures and the vehicles littering the streets. Mimi wanted to tag along but he insisted that she stay behind so she couldn't get into any danger and have time to himself, thinking about his family.
Blake entered what looked to be a plaza area with stores surrounding one side and what looks to be an old tram station on the other. Much of the buildings and the station were preserved for their age. He walked into one of the stores and looked around. It seemed to be an old department store with old merchandise laying around and old mildewed clothes hanging on racks.
Blake left out of the store and explored some more. He headed further down the street until he heard a voice behind him. "Blake! Their you are! I've been looking all over for you!" shouted Mimi running towards him.
"Mimi, what are you doing here!" asked Blake in surprise.
"I was worried, I didn't want to stay back knowing something could happen to you, we don't know anything about this place," said a concerned Mimi. "plus it's just you... haven't been yourself lately and I talked to Judd about it," said Mimi.
"It's just I wanted time to myself, Mimi. I've had a lot on my mind," said Blake.
"did you wanna talk about, if not I...understand," said Mimi.
Blake thought about the time when they were in the garden and did not want to hurt Mimi's feelings. He gave a sigh and turned to Mimi.
"Sure, but let's find a place to sit," said Blake as they both made their way back to the ruined plaza.
They found a bench to sit on and Blake paused for a moment before telling Mimi about the dreams he had been having.
Their conversation lasted for nearly half an hour as Blake was giving her the details about the events that transpired to his family crashing back down to earth searching for him.
"I'm so sorry Blake, I'm sure they're ok, we'll see if we can help you find them," said Mimi consoling Blake.
"I...hope so, I have to find them, " said Blake sadly as tears started to form.
Mimi moved over to give blake a hug. She then pulled off and looked Blake in the eye. "I know we'll find them, Blake, you've helped us all out and it's time we help you out, well after the war of course," said Mimi reassuring Blake.
Blake wiped his eyes and looked at Mimi, "thank you, Mimi," he said gratefully.
A moment of silence passed as Mimi rubbed her arm and then turned her face to Blake with her emotions stewing. Blake turned and looked at Mimi seeing something was on her mind that she wanted to get out.
Mimi slowly slid over toward Blake accidentally placing her hand over on Blake's. Mimi continued to stare at Blake with a blush forming. Blake was catching on how Mimi felt about him but he conflicted about it, being she was an inkling. "Blake," she said as Blake turned to look back at Mimi.
Mimi then moved her face closer to his and kissed him on the lips. Blake froze from the gesture and then relaxed after a few seconds. He didn't expect Mimi to kiss him and she soon pulled her lips off him. Mimi giggled to her first kiss. "I've... always had feelings for you Blake, "said a blushing Mimi.
"Mimi I...I'm glad to have you as a friend, or should I say...girlfriend," said Blake blushing and rubbing the back of his head.
"you...mean that, Blake," said Mimi turning red-faced.
"yes, Mimi," replied Blake as he pulled her into another kiss.
The two just embraced each other for a little while. It was getting late and two of them decided that it was getting too dark to walk back to the camp. Blake spotted a ramp leading up to the second story of a building. The walk up the ramp and entered the building.
Blake looks around, it appeared to be an old news studio, some of the equipment was still laying around covered in moss. They walk through the rooms until they found one that was the most hospitable. There was an almost preserved bed inside and Blake brushed off debris that laying on it.
"well, we can sleep here for the night," said Blake.
"I don't like the dark, but being here with you, I feel safe Blake," said Mimi in relief.
The two of them climb on the bed and laid there until they fell asleep. Mimi placed her arm on Blake like she did the other night, Blake turned and kissed Mimi on the forehead. The two soon closed their eyes and finally went to sleep.
Octavio was pacing at the underground base, waiting for reports on the battle plans to catch the inklings and about the domes. Just then the black tentacled octoling walked in and gave Octavio the news about assembling the troops to catch up with the inklings.
"good, send a detachment to track the inklings and bring them back here and send the Octostomp with them," ordered Octavio.
The Octostomp was a giant metal square-shaped octoweapon powered by a zapfish. It had an ink-covered face and tiny legs under it.
"Yes, I'll inform them Octavio," saluted the octoling as she walked out.
The Octostomp had a zapfish place in it. The octostomp came alive and sat up with its eyes glowing. Once it was powered up a sentient purple tentacle popped out of the top of it as it wiggled when the octoweapon powered up. It roared and walked torward the Octarian detachment as the troops were a little nervous at the sight of the giant octo weapon.
When the black tentacled octoling made it back to the army, she directed the detachment and informed them of the mission. They saluted and moved out with the Octostomp tromping behind them roaring.
"I don't understand why we're bringing that big palooka with us, the inklings will see him coming a mile away," said one of the octoling soldiers.
"Octavio's orders, I won't question them, let's just move out and get those inkstains," replied another octoling.
The octoling detachment soon made their way out of the village and towards the foothills with the octostomp in tow.
The octolings made it up the hill and scanned for any sign of the inklings. Soon one of the octolings spotted tracks heading southwest of their position.
In the distance, the octolings spot the ruins of a human city in the direction of the tracks.
"They must've headed that way, let's move out!" ordered the octoling.
The octolings marched towards the direction of the ruins with the octostomp still behind them.
AFTERTHOUGHTS: Well hope you enjoyed the chapter. Cuttlefish seems like he's out of the fight for some time and Blake has finally accepted Mimi's feelings. Seems the war had pulled lives apart and brought lives together. It seems Octavio and the octarians won't rest until the apprehend all the inklings, it seems driving them out of their homes wasn't enough. I wonder what's with the underground domes and what Octavio plans on doing with them, wonder how they got down there what they were built for? We may soon find out, keep reading.