Arc 2 Chapter 24
The major and the octo rebels had made it back to Octo Valley to regroup and continue with the next phase of their operations. They were at their base deep under the canyon. The major was standing in front of a giant screen answering to a dark silhouette that was hiding their identity. The figure was displeased with the major and the rebels not being able to have the human in their possession.
"I'm sorry my queen, but the squidbeak agents and that pesky sergeant..." explained the major but was cut off by the figure.
"Enough! No excuses! You and the rebels have failed me! You were supposed to retrieve the human from those inkstains!" shouted the darkened figure.
"Forgive me, your excellency," apologized the major as she bowed.
"To hear Plan B initiated is unacceptable, but I guess we have no choice, Major, gather up the troops and prepare to retrieve your new target," said the silhouette on the screen.
"Yes, My queen!" said the major as she gave another bow.
"Good, don't fail me again, For your sake...Red Queen out!" said the silhouette as the screen turned off.
"Black Knight out!" responded the major. She turned around and faced the two octolings that escorted her. "What are your orders," asked one of the octolings.
"We'll assemble a team together to retrieve the new target. Let's hope we have enough resources for the mission," said the major.
"Ma'am if you don't me asking what is the new target?" asked the octoling.
The major turned and gave her a stern look. The new target is DJ Octavio himself. He was captured and was being held outside of Octo Valley for retrieval by the Octarians for trial. As far I know, he is still there awaiting pick up. The octarians have been too occupied with heeding our operations and have prioritized us and the human. We need to free him and bring him back here before the octarians get him," explain the major.
"Why do we need Octavio?" asked the octoling.
"He's still our leader! But initially a fallback to the Red Queen. I'm not sure what her intentions are but I won't question them. She won't tell me what she wanted with the human and why she feels Octavio needs to be taken out of the loop," said the major with a displeasing attitude.
"Who exactly is the Red Queen? She's been a little too helpful if you ask me, she won't even let us know her identity," said the octoling.
"I won't question her leadership and neither will you. Now let's gather up the troops and go and get ready for our next mission," said the major as they left for the barracks.
Callie and Marie were talking with Marie's folks and going over their time at Inkopolis like with Callie's parents. Marie was also asked if she was seeing anyone and if she was getting married and provide them with grandsquids. Marie turned red-faced and flustered much like Callie. Callie laughed at the sight of her cousin with Marie giving her a frustrated glare. After their conversation, Marie's parents turned back to the two girls. Marie's dad was wearing formal dark colored kimono. He had grey tentacles with a ponytail style wrapped in a ribbon. Her mother had pale light green tentacles pinned up in a bun. She was wearing a white and green decorative long kimono with gold and black colored designs.
"So where is this friend of yours?" asked Marie's father.
"He had to go see a friend of his before he came here," explained Marie with her embarrassment resolving.
"So who is he?" asked Marie's mother.
"He's a good friend of ours, we met in the city," said Callie.
"Could he be your boyfriend, Marie?" asked her mother again.
"No! He's not my boyfriend!" exclaimed a blushing Marie.
"How about Callie?" asked Marie's mother turning toward Callie.
"He's...just a friend," said Callie meekly.
After a moment the door opened and Blake in his disguise walked in. "Hey, guys," he said waving at them.
"Hey Blake," said Callie and Marie in unison.
"So this is him?" asked Marie's father.
"Yeah, dad this is Blake," said Marie. "Blake, these are my parents," said Marie trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Nice to meet you," said Blake bowing to Marie's parents.
"It's nice to meet you too, we were hoping that our little Hotori would've been engaged to someone by now," said Marie's mother as her daughter was covering her face.
"Well, let's show them their rooms and I'll get a room ready for Blake. Sorry but I don't allow opposite genders to stay in the same rooms," explained Marie's father.
"That's understandable I don't mind," said Blake.
Marie's father guided the group to their rooms. Callie and Marie were on the executive wing of the Inn. They walked into their room and were amazed by it. "Only the best for my Little Hotori," said Marie's father. Callie and Marie's room was a large decorative Japanese style suite. The large room was made up of a den and a small kitchen. The bathroom and bedroom were on the side of the suite.
"Well you two get situated and I'll take Blake to his room," said Marie's father as he headed out the door.
Blake and Marie's father headed to another wing of the inn. This was were the causal suites were and Blake was guided to his room. "Well, here we are," said Marie's father.
Blake walked into his room with his luggage and looked around. He turned back to Marie's father and thanked him with a bow. "We hope you enjoy your stay," said Marie's father. "Oh, and also, I'm sure my daughter and niece told you about our hot springs here at the inn. Just to let you know we also don't permit opposite genders to sit in the springs together but don't worry there is a divider running across the spring. Just to let you know and no funny business, I know you're my daughter's friend but I would advise you not to try anything," said Marie's father giving Blake fair warning.
"Don't worry sir I'm not that kind of...squid, we're just friends," said Blake.
"Good, I expect you and my daughter will enjoy yourselves, I'll let you unpack then," said Marie's father as he closed the door and left.
Back at the girl's room, Callie and Marie had just got finished unpacking and decided to get ready to head to the hot springs. Callie stayed quiet and was stuck in thought thinking about Blake and Mimi. Marie looked over to Callie who had sat on the bed. "What is it, Cal?" asked Marie.
"Nothing, I wonder how Blake's visit with Mimi was?" Callie asked herself.
"Cal, you gotta remember that she was Blake's old crush and besides she's probably gramps age. She was probably speechless and overcome with joy like gramps when she saw him. They probably just caught up on time. Blake seemed his normal self, I'm sure they enjoyed each other's visit," said Marie.
"Yeah Blake did seem calm, I'm just also thinking about what yours and my parents said. It won't be long until we do get old enough that we oughta be married," said Callie turning toward her cousin.
"Is that what that's all about, C'mon Cal, I don't care what my folks think and neither should you, the time will come," said Marie as she sat next to Callie.
"(sigh) I know, but..." started Callie. "Cal, look at me, I'm not going to rush into a relationship or marriage, just enjoy life," said Marie looking at her cousin.
Callie turned her head away and remained silent. She got up off the bed and crossed her arms. "Marie, I know you're trying to make me feel better but, I just don't have the same outlook as you do. I still love Blake and I just wish we could..." said Callie as Marie got up and walked over to her.
"Cal, I'm not going to tell you what to do but you can't expect Blake to be your prince charming if he doesn't feel like dating, as he's said. He values us like a family and I'm happy with that and so should you," said Marie putting her hand on Callie's shoulder.
After a moment Marie removed her hand and Callie turned back to her. She looked at cousin and gave her a hug. "Blake...is family, I just hope...things may change," said Callie as she pulled off Marie.
"Cal, don't dwell on it, let's just enjoy our time here, let's head to the hot springs and get our mind off things," said Marie giving Callie a smile.
"Alright Marie, let's go ask Blake if he wants to go," said Callie as the two of them left and headed to Blake's room.
Back In Octo Valley, the lieutenant was heading down to the labs. She was waiting for the results of the blood drawn from Blake when he was treated on the octozeppelin. She walked through the lab doors and looked around. She saw all the octoling scientists walk around examining ancient human artifacts and taking notes. After a moment the lieutenant was approached by an octoling in a lab coat. "Lieutenant, what brings you here?" she asked.
"I'm still waiting for the results of the blood drawn from that human," she replied.
"Oh, yes the results, come with me," she directed to the lieutenant.
The octoling and the lieutenant walked to another section of the lab. Inside were tables with fossilized remains of humans being studied and cleaned by more octolings in lab coats. Further into the large room was lab equipment such as beakers and test tubes with fluid running down plastic tubes to other containers.
The two stopped in front of a large table with a computer and more lab equipment. "So, what's the verdict?" asked the lieutenant.
"well, yes, we concluded that the blood is a match for human DNA and we've detected nothing out of the ordinary, but you did say the subject's name was Blake?" asked the octoling with curiosity.
"Yes that's what the sergeant said, what about it," responded the lieutenant.
"Well, our human culture and language expert had deciphered something on the old human computers that were connected to the domes. He found a list of habitants that were supposed to occupy this dome over 2000 years ago. He uncovered the names and Blake Carter had come up with three other individuals having the same last name as him. Could this be the same Blake?" asked the octoling.
"I'm not sure? We could've asked him if the sergeant would not have let him go back with the inklings," replied the lieutenant.
"What! But we need him, he's the only human alive so far and he's in serious danger being exposed to the outside world," said the octoling in the lab coat.
"You don't think I know that! (Sigh) Just keeping looking for anything else that could tie that human with that inaccessible area of the dome," the lieutenant ordered the octoling.
"I'm not sure what else we can do, You must be referring to "The Vault" that we couldn't get into. We've never been able to gain access inside that place even when we were under Octavio's rule. You really believe that human, I mean Blake has any connection to it?" said the octoling.
"I don't know, the domes were constructed by humans long ago so I can only assume yes," said the lieutenant.
"I'm not so sure," said the octoling researcher.
"I'm not so sure myself, that's why we need to get that human back here soon, for now, I'm focused on the octo rebels, they still pose a threat to us and the inklings," said the lieutenant placing her arms behind her back.
"I understand, Lieutenant, I know peace is of the most importance, we will keep looking for anything we can do," said the octoling.
"Continue on," said the lieutenant as she left out of the lab. The lieutenant was eager to get Blake back to Octo Valley and figure out the truth of what the octarians had uncovered.
Marina and Pearl were at the studio getting ready to announce the upcoming turf matches. Pearl had walked in and plopped down in her chair. Marina got behind her turntable checking her equipment. "Well, Rina, looks like the rookies are getting their squid butts kicked in these turf matches, I'd show um' a thing or two if we weren't busy," said Pearl.
Marina chuckled and looked back at Pearl. "I'm sure you would, but you gotta remember Pearly, they are new, in time they'll get better," said Marina with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah, well where's the upcoming turf matches going to take place at?" asked Pearl as she stretched.
"Looks like Musselforge fitness, it's the new fitness center they opened up," said Marina.
"Musselforge Fitness, I've been there, I've been having to lift weights and stuff so I stay in shape. You know those dualies I just got aren't the only guns I pack, any squid that looks at me funny will get a ticket to fist city," said Pearl punching the air.
"Oh, Pearly, what I'm I gonna do with you," said Marina as she covered her mouth to hide her chuckle.
The cameras turned on and they appeared on the giant screen in the square.
"Y'all know what time it is!" said Pearl with a hand gesture.
"It's off the hook, coming at you LIVE at Inkopolis Square!" followed by Marina.
"Check it! Here are the current Regular Battle Stages!" said Pearl.
"Looks like Musselforge Fitness is the first," said Marina.
"As I was telling Marina here, this is where I come and get pumped. The fitness center has been converted over with ramps and other obstacles found on a turf war stage, so you squids better stay fit if you wanna make it through this stage. So good luck," said Pearl giving another hand gesture as Marina scratched her record.
Outside the turf players were watching the news and new stage announcements as the two of them were still going over the new turf stage. Izzy and Flash were in the square watching the screen. Flash just rolled his eyes and looked at Izzy. "Well, you ready Izzy?" asked Flash twirling his dualies.
"I'm ready Flash!" shouted Izzy with confidence.
"Alright! Well let's head to the lobby then," said Flash as he and Izzy headed to the tower.
Cassie was running through the crowd searching for Izzy. She wanted to apologize and reason with her about playing in the turf match. "Izzy!" she shouted.
She looked around and spotted her and Flash heading toward the lobby. "Izzy wait!" she shouted and rushed over toward the tower but she was blocked by the crowd of inklings.
At the tower, Flash met up with two more of his team members. "Izzy this is my team, meet Ben and Jazz," said Flash.
"Yo!" greeted Ben. He was brown-colored inkling with orange spikey tentacles. He welded a .96 Gal that resembled a grenade launcher.
"Hey, there!" greeted Jazz. She was fair-skinned inkling with purple banger style tentacles. She had an inkbrush propped over her shoulder.
"You guys this is Izzy, she's a rookie but I'm going to let her join our team," said Flash.
"It's nice to meet you guys," said Izzy as she waved at the two inklings.
"First timer huh, Don't worry you'll get the hang of things," said Ben.
"Well if you get splatted, you'll be transported back to the spawn pad," said Jazz.
"I've never played, so I hope you guys help me out," said Izzy.
"No prob, we got your back, Izzy " said Flash putting his hand on her shoulder.
Izzy looked over and gave Flash a smile. The team smiled back at her as the lobby opened behind them. "Well let's go," said Ben.
The four of them walked into the lobby ready for their match. Cassie spotted the group going inside and she shoved and pushed trying to catch up with them but it was too late. "Izzy!" she yelled. She made it to the front of the tower. She looked up and got frustrated that she didn't stop Izzy in time.
"Izzy! I'm sorry!" she shouted at the door. She turned and walked away feeling remorse for her actions. Cassie sat down at a bench nearby and watched the large screen for the upcoming match. She had hoped that Izzy and her team would do well on her first match.
Back in Calamari County, the group got ready to head to the hot springs. They went to separate gender-oriented changing rooms next to the springs. Callie and Marie went to the female side while Blake went to the male side. There was a divider like Marie's father had said that split the springs into two sections. Callie and Marie wore their towels until the got into the warm water. Even though inklings had an instinctive fear of water and couldn't swim. The two girls took their time getting in and stayed on the shallow part of the spring. Blake on the other side laid his towel aside and slowly made his way to the far side of the spring where it was a little deeper, deep enough he could sit down in the water and enjoy the soothing heat.
Callie and Marie were laying back enjoying themselves when all of a sudden they heard someone get in the spring with them. When Marie peeked she saw the same inkling girl that was hitting on Blake on the tram. She had sat down across from the girls and didn't notice them. "Cal, isn't that the girl from on the tram?" asked Marie bumping Callie's shoulder.
"Yeah, I think her name was Sunny, I didn't expect to see her here though," said Callie slightly surprised.
"Well I'm not gonna let her ruin our good time," said Marie eyeing the inkling girl.
The inkling girl's attention got caught by Marie's words and she spotted the two girls. She gave a glare at the both them with a smug look. "Hmpf, didn't know you two would be here, well you might have ruined my chances of catching that cutie on the tram here, but I'm not gonna let you two ruin my chances of enjoying my vacation. By the way, where is that friend of yours?" asked Sunny with her arms crossed.
"That's none of your business," snapped Callie.
"Why? I thought you were gonna catch another fish?" asked Marie.
"I didn't see anything that caught my eye, Is he here with two?" she asked snidely.
"So what if he is, we wouldn't tell you," snapped Callie again.
"I bet he is, He's over on the male side isn't he," said Sunny with a devious look.
"Don't even think about, I'm sure you know the rules, don't make me have to report you," said Marie as she sat up giving Sunny a stern look.
"Oh, of course, I wouldn't, but I did forget my phone back in the changing room, I'll see you two later," said Sunny as she wrapped herself up and got out.
"She's up to something," said Callie.
"I agree, let's follow her," said Marie.
The two got out and covered themselves and headed to the changing rooms where Sunny was supposedly heading.
Sunny snuck down a hallway around the changing area and made her way to the male side. She walked past the changing rooms and scanned the male side of the springs. It was steamy and she soon spotted a figure on the far end. Though Blake had removed his tentacle wig and eye mask she couldn't tell he was human from where she was at. A devious grin went across her face as she approached the edge of the water. She disrobed and slowly made her way into the water. Fortunately, Blake was the only one on the male side and she was determined to woo her quarry.
Blake had his head laid back and didn't notice that another figure made their way into the springs on his side. The nude inkling girl crept closer and closer to Blake. "Now I can catch cutie without any squid girls getting in my way," she said to herself.
In the girls changing room, Marie and Callie were looking for Sunny but spotted her stuff on a bench along with her phone. "Where is she?" asked Callie starting to panic.
"I bet I know where," said Marie with a displeased look crossing her arms.
"(gasp) who don't think," said Callie as she covered her mouth?
"Yep, let's go, Cal, I know we're breaking the rules, but we can't let Blake's identity get out, C'mon," said Marie as the rushed out. Outside they heard splashing coming from the other side of the divider. "Oh no, we don't have time to go around, We gotta get over the divider, Cal I'll let you get over," said Marie as they headed over to the divider.
Meantime, Sunny was almost near Blake, when he heard someone swimming toward him. He jarred awake and placed his disguise back on before anyone saw him. He looked and saw a figure approach him. His eyes widened as he saw the inkling girl that was flirting with him on the tram. It was Sunny with a wide smile and blush across her face.
"Hey Cutie," cooed Sunny staring at him.
"S...S...Sunny, W...What are doing here! This is the men's side! If we get caught we'll..." said Blake as Sunny covered his mouth with her hand.
"Shhh, be quiet...and no one will know, now let's finish off where we were," said Sunny still covering Blake's mouth.
Blake shook his head and wasn't sure what to do. Sunny was leaning against him and he felt trapped. he could only pray that something would happen to get him out of this predicament. Blake pulled Sunny's hand off his mouth. "No! You need to leave! I'm not getting in trouble over this!" said an annoyed Blake.
"We won't unless you shut up!" shouted Sunny as she latched on to Blake. As Blake felt the inkling girl's body rub up against his, he panicked and thrashed around trying to shake her off without any "incident".
Callie and Marie rushed over and heard a struggle and yelling on the other side of the divider. "We gotta hurry! Cal, get on my shoulders I'll boost you up," said Marie.
Callie nodded and hopped on Marie's shoulders as she raised her body up enough for Cal to peer over the wall. Cal frantically looked around and spotted Sunny and Blake. Her eyes widened and she gritted her teeth at the sight between Sunny and Blake. She balled up her fists and her face turned red.
"Callie! What's going on?!" asked Marie.
"GET OFF OF HIM! YOU SLEAZY SQUID!" roared Callie as she leaned over the wall ready to pull the inkling girl off Blake. As Callie leaned over she lost her balance and fell over to the other side with her towel falling off. "Oh no! Cal!" shouted Marie as she felt Callie fall over.
Both Sunny and Blake looked up and saw Callie falling towards them. They were flabbergasted at the sudden sight and Sunny jumped back from Callie landing on her. Blake was frozen and couldn't move. Callie fell into Blake's lap and as she did, she felt something. Her eyes went wide and her face had frozen as it turned redder and redder.
"C...Callie?" asked Blake awkwardly knowing exactly what had just happened and what Callie had felt. After a few awkward seconds Callie cried, "WWWAAAHHH!" she screamed and squid formed shooting off like a rocket and landing back on the female side of the spring.
Marie was speechless as she saw Callie shoot over the divider and landing back down. She rushed over and eyed Callie. Callie was still in squid form with swirly eyes in a stupor of what just happened. "Cal...Cal...What happened?!" asked Marie in distress. Callie just muttered in squid form as Marie picked her up and looked back at the divider trying to figure out what happened.
On the other side of the divider, Sunny rushed out grabbing her towel to avoid getting caught. She rushed back into the girls changing room and gathered her things. "That was close, pesky squid chick, I was this close to sealing the deal, oh well," said Sunny as she walked out pretending that nothing happened.
Blake, on the other hand, was in utter shock and agape with what had just transpired. His mind was racing from 90 to nothing experiencing the unthinkable. he slowly made his way out of the spring covering himself up. He made his way into the changing room and got his clothes back on. He was hunched over rubbing his head going through the moment, unsure what to do when he met up with the girls. He decided to wait until they left back to their room and then headed to his room avoiding them. Blake felt utterly horrible after the incident and was ready to head back to Cuttlefish's thinking that he ruined their relax time.
The sergeant and her recon team had just climbed out of the tea kettle that brought them deep into the canyon. The sergeant looked around as the rest of her team were coming out of the tea kettle. Melvin was the last one out bending over throwing up on the ground from the rush. "I never wanna do that again!" exclaimed Melvin with a green face still woozy from the trip.
"Melvin! Get it together!" shouted the sergeant. She turned back ahead of her and saw numerous floating platforms and structures. "Well let's keep moving," said the sergeant.
"Yes, Ma'am," said the octolings in unison. They continued on down the walkways and octo jumped across platform to platform. As the team made to a large floating platform, melvin octo formed and hopped across changing back too soon on the ledge. he was losing his balance and almost fell back off the platform only to be grabbed by the sergeant. She pulled him forward to save him from falling. He fell and kneeled forward panting heavily. "Sarge, you saved my life," said Melvin gratefully.
"Do I have to constantly keep an eye on you! I can't believe the Lieutenant would place you on my team, you klutz! Don't expect me to have to save your octo butt at every given moment! Now get back to the team!" shouted the sergeant storming off.
"What's her problem!?" exclaimed Melvin as he got up and picked up his octoshot.
The young female octoling rushed over to him. "Melvin, you gotta understand, it's nothing against you, it's just we can't fail the mission or afford any problems," said the female octoling.
"Yes, it is, ever since I met her she's had it out for me and I don't know why, even before the shower room incident," said Melvin looking down.
"Shower room incident?" asked the curious octoling girl.
"It's nothing," said Melvin with embarrassment turning his face away from the octoling.
"Hey, you two! Let's get moving!" shouted the sergeant on the next floating platform.
The two of them turned toward the sergeant and rushed to the next platform to catch up with the sergeant and other teammate.
After half an hour the team spotted a large factory over the ridge. The factory was sitting on a giant floating landmass with a smaller landmass below it that appeared to a town for the workers to stay in. They noticed that smoke was coming out of the smokestacks and saw movement down below in the streets of the town. "Sarge, what is this place?" asked the octoling girl.
"I think it's an octoweapons factory, by the look of things," explained the sergeant.
"An Octoweapons factory, but isn't building octoweapons against the peace treaty?" asked the octoling female.
"The rebels don't care about the peace treaty, we have to stop them, c'mon let's get closer and see what they're up to," waved the sergeant as the team continued on. They took their time getting down to avoid getting caught and jeopardizing the mission.
After 15 minutes the team snuck into the outskirts of the town. They looked around to see if the coast was clear. After seeing that no one was around they entered the town. The sergeant waved forward and they dashed from cover to cover in octo form. They soon reached a street with buildings on both sides. The street continued forward into a large open square with a statue of an octotrooper off his platform holding a sledgehammer and wearing a hard hat. "This seems to be the workers' quarters," said the sergeant looking around.
"Where do we go now?" asked the female octoling.
"Let's slowly make our way across the square without getting detected, if you see anything that's a threat, octo form and slither to the closest cover you can find," advised the sergeant.
They slow crept across the square as they scanned around making sure they didn't get caught. They were halfway to the otherside of the square when all of a sudden they heard what sounded like a rotor headed towards them. "What's that?" asked Melvin. The sergeant listened and spotted a flying object in the corner of the square coming from down another street. "Octocopter! get down!" shouted the segeant. The team octo formed and didn't move.
The octocopter moved in closer looking around. When the little flying tentacle looked away the team slithered to the closest cover the could find. The sergeant hid under a small wooden box. While the octoling that was taking to Melvin hopped into a tire. The third octoling, another male, hide behind a pile of debris and Melvin froze in fear.
"Melvin! find a place to hide!" shouted the sergeant quietly.
Melvin shivered in his octo form and didn't know where to hide. The octocopter flew closer and looked around. The octocopter was right over melvin not noticing him yet. As the octocopter flew away and continued to scan its surroundings.
"Melvin! Move your tentacles before you get caught!" shouted the sergeant again peeking from under the little wooden box.
Melvin nodded and slithered away but he bumped into a can throwing it up in the air getting the attention of the octocopter as it turned toward Melvin. "Uh oh," said Melvin as he stopped.
The octocopter stared at Melvin and knew he wasn't an octoling rebel. "INTRUDER! INTRUDER!" shouted the octocopter as the siren on its head blared.
"DAMMIT MELVIN! Make a break for it!" shouted the sergeant as she pointed for her team to head across the square. As her team fled she fired at the alarming octocopter shooting it down as it splatted into a puddle of ink.
As the team made it across the square they looked around and heard movement come from different directions and the sound of approaching octocopters. "Spread out and find a place to lay low!" ordered the sergeant.
The sergeant ran into a building with part of the wall collapsed near the street while Melvin and the female octoling rushed into a commissary near the corner of the square and the last octoling the other male ran down the street to find a building to hide in. Once they hid out of sight, numerous octarians moved in on the square and scanned the area for the whereabouts of the intruders. "Find and capture the intruders!" ordered a twintacle on a platform in a deep gargled voice. The octotroopers nodded and spread out looking for the sergeant and the recon team. The octocopters flew around over buildings and down the streets looking for any trace of the octolings.
The sergeant hugged the wall of the building she was in peering out a nearby window. Once the square was clear she sat down to catch her breath. She took her goggles off and looked around. It appeared to be a small bank for octarian workers when they got paid for their work. She got up and walked around. She placed her octoshot on the counter and contemplated what to do next. She gave a deep sigh thinking about what the lieutenant had told her about not getting caught and failing the mission. She thought about heading to the factory alone to avoid anymore bumbling from melvin or anyone else. She felt she couldn't afford another screw-up and put her goggles back on.
She walked back to the collapsed wall and looked around. She saw that the octarians were gone and decided to continue the mission without her team and link back up with them when she got done. She spotted the factory up on the giant landmass and gave a deep breath. She walked out and headed to the direction of the octoweapons factory eager to complete the mission without any flaws even if it meant leaving her team behind.