Arc 3 Chapter 1
It was black and cold. There was nothing but fear and uncertainty running through the mind of a figure that had just witnessed the events that had just transpired in front of them. The figure was gasping for breath, struggling to stay alive wondering if this was their last moments. Then a noise could be heard and everything seemed to stop. The fluid they were fighting in drew down and emptied out of the container they were thrown in. As the fluid had emptied out of their containment they gasped for breath and slowly opened their eyes.
They slowly opened their eyes and looked around. Their vision was still blurred and the figure grabbed their head wondering what had happened. It could make out figures staring through the glass containment at them.
"What? What's going? Why do I feel funny?" The figure asked itself.
They raised their hands and examined them. The figure was shocked and confused about what had happened. They looked over to three more glass containers that were holding figures in them. Their expression became even more fearful as they studied the figures.
"Lisa? Amy? Brandon?" asked the figure.
"So...you still remember them?" said a figure in a black suit as he approached the glass. "Do you remember me too James?" asked the man in the suit.
"Irons, this is incredible, I never would've thought the serum would have this much of effect on them but I never expected these results," said a man in a lab coat.
"Incredible? This is a disaster! This is not the result I wanted! I want the serum to be modified! Please tell me this is not the outcome of mankind once we land back down on earth!" shouted the man in the suit angrily.
We followed the formula just as you asked! Something must've gone wrong," said the man in the lab coat.
"It must have been Tartar. We should've never trusted that AI program to concoct the serum into the cryostasis support systems. We should shut it down while we can before the serum is released to the rest of the populace on this ship!" shouted another man in a lab coat.
"Don't start pointing fingers! Tartar is not to blame for this! I just want another serum made now! Time is of the essence!" shouted back Director Irons.
"Y...Yes sir!" the men said.
Director Irons turned back to the unrecognized figure that was once Doctor James Carter. James was still in absolute shock of what had happened to him and his family and Brandon.
"Irons, what do we do with them?" asked the professor.
"Dispose of them," said Irons coldly.
As all the events had come to an end. Everything started to fade to black. Nothing but silence for a moment.
Blake jarred awake from the dream he just witnessed. He had seen through the eyes of what appeared to be his dad. He was trying to figure out what had happened and what the dream meant. The dream was hazy and unclear as he could barely make out the figures as it seemed the vision of the dream was losing its clarity. Blake shook his head and cleared his mind. He began to remember the events from yesterday and slowly got up. It was still dark and very early in the morning. He decided to check on Marie as the two of them stayed the night at the studio the day prior. Marie was very saddened at seeing Callie taken away by Octavio and just stayed to herself as she and Blake headed back to the plaza after leaving Cuttlefish's.
Blake walked into her and Callie's room. Marie wasn't in the bed so Blake walked into the main studio and didn't see her there either. He heard sobbing coming from the roof and headed toward the ladder. He climbed up and saw Marie looking over the ledge of the studio overlooking the plaza.
"I remember all the good times we had Cal, Now they're gone...like you," said Marie to herself as another tear ran down her cheek.
Blake felt deep remorse wishing he could've saved Callie. He decided that maybe he should console Marie during this bleak time of losing her beloved cousin.
"Marie?" asked Blake meekly.
Marie jerked and turned around to see Blake staring at her. "Blake? What are you...doing here?" she asked slightly stunned.
"I couldn't sleep...I thought that...maybe I should check on you," said Blake as he walked toward her.
"You too huh...I'm fine but thanks for checking on me. This is hard, me and Callie have always been together since we were hatchlings back in Calamari County," said Marie wiping her eye trying to keep her composure.
"Marie...it's not your fault, I should've done something, I failed you guys as a former squidbeak agent, I..." said Blake as he was waved off by Marie.
"Blake, it's not your fault either, any of us could've done something, so don't go blaming yourself. If anything Callie saved gramps and followed the example of what a true squidbeak agent does to protect their family and friends. If I remember right, you've done the same thing back during the great turf war," said Marie with a slight smile.
Blake blushed a little and looked back at Marie. "I just wish I could've done more. I just feel more guilty about it because Callie wanted to start a relationship. I was just uneasy about it because of you and gramps and anyone else. Being she's an inkling and I'm a human. I just see her more like family because of Cuttlefish. I wouldn't feel right about," said Blake.
"Blake, It wouldn't bother me at all or gramps that you would go out with Callie or even start a family together," said Marie reassuring Blake.
"family..." said Blake sadly as he laid his head down.
"Blake? What's the matter?" asked Marie with concern.
"oh it's nothing, I'll talk about it later," said Blake after he looked back at Marie.
"Well, I guess you better head back to bed then, you look tired, we have a lot of work to do tomorrow," said Marie as she turned back toward the ledge.
Blake walked over and looked at the plaza with her. After a moment he gave a sigh. "To think...this is where I fought that giant cube-shaped octoweapon years ago with the captain," said Blake.
Marie turned and looked at Blake with amazement. "You fought an octostomp with gramps here?" asked a stunned Marie.
"Yeah, I almost got crushed by it!" exclaimed Blake. "Luckily a fell through a crevasse in the ground though. I thought I was a goner for sure and your grandfather lost his best friend," said Blake as he turned toward Marie with a slight chuckle.
"Wow, that's pretty brave of you to protect gramps and inklings from that thing," said Marie with admiration.
A cool breeze hit the two of the roof and Marie crossed her arms and shivered from the cold air. Blake walked over and hugged her. Marie gave a slight jump and didn't resist when she felt the warmth from Blake's body. She slowly put her arms around him and gave a sigh. "Me and Cal, would always talk and hug on the roof of the studio recanting the good ole times of when the plaza was open and we when we were newscasters. Now those days are gone but I'm glad you came into my and Cal's life, Blake," said Marie.
"I'm glad I woke back up and met you guys too. I thought I would never see the light of day again," said Blake.
"Octavio took you away from gramps like he did Callie with me," said Marie as her anger was starting to surface and her fist clenching.
After a few seconds, she recomposed herself and relaxed her hands. "Let's head to bed. We have a long day ahead of us," said Marie as she walked toward the roof hatch.
Blake followed her, feeling sad yet worried for the squid sister. They were back in the main studio heading toward their rooms. "Don't worry Marie, we'll get Callie. I can promise that," said Blake as Marie turned toward him.
"Thanks, Blake. I know I can count on you to get Callie back. I know she must mean a lot to you as she does to me," said Marie giving Blake a grin.
"You guys are like sisters to me and the only family I can call right now...and family sticks together," said Blake.
Marie admiration for Blake grew, seeing his devotion to save Callie and accepting them like a family to him even though he was a human. For sometime Marie wasn't sure about Blake until he saw him fight Camper and his goons back on the saltspray rig. She was impressed with his combat skills but now has seen an affection and noble side of Blake, seeing why her cousin liked him so much.
"Marie are you ok? You looked a little zoned out," said Blake seeing the squid sister go blank for a moment, stuck in thought.
"Huh...oh, just...losing Callie and seeing Octavio escape, it's just been tough to take in," said Marie.
"Look, things will be ok. I fought alongside your grandfather during the great turf war. I wasn't able to stop Octavio back then but now I will this time," said Blake.
"I trust you will. I just don't want anything to happen to you like it did back then," said Marie.
"This it won't, I'm prepared to face Octavio. He took Callie from all of us and he's gonna get what's coming," said Blake pumping his fist in confidence.
Marie smiled again with a slight blush. "It's getting later. We better head to bed, if we're gonna have the energy to face Octavio and the rebels. Goodnight Blake," said Marie as she headed into her room.
"You too Marie and sweet dreams," said Blake as he walked into his room.
Marie stopped and looked back at Blake as he walked inside his room. Thoughts were looming in her and about getting Callie and Blake's admiration. She looked down and turned back to her room and finally went to bed preparing for the plans ahead for the next day.
The night prior, Cassie had left from Cuttlefish's after Callie was squidnapped and Cuttlefish devised a plan to get her back. Cassie was burdened with grief and concern about losing Callie, the squid sister that always supported her. She was nearly at her apartment until she looked up and saw a familiar inkling waiting near her complex. "Huh? Izzy?" said a stunned Cassie. She ran toward her and gave her a quick hug.
"Izzy! You had me worried sick! I've been trying to get a hold of you!" exclaimed Cassie who was irritated.
"I'm...sorry Cass, it's just that...I got caught up in the excitement. I wanted to play a turf war match with Flash... But we lost. It's my fault," said Izzy as she started to pout.
"Izzy, it's ok. teams win and lose. You're new at it. What did Flash snap off on you or something? Because if he did I'll..." said Izzy as she got angry.
"No! He's not mad! I...ran off and dropped my splattershot jr. I was just so... disappointed and I didn't think Flash would let me be on his team again," said Izzy sadly.
Izzy covered her face in shame. Cassie gave a sigh of remorse and started to hug Izzy again. "It's not the end of Inkopolis if you lose a match. You were being over-eager, just train more and keep competing Izzy and you'll get better ok," said Cassie with confidence.
Izzy nodded and gave a smile before the two of them headed into the apartment. Once they got to Cassie's room, Izzy told Cassie how the turf match went. They lost round 1 but barely won round 2. Izzy went descriptive with round 3.
Back at Mussselforge fitness. The pink team and green team were at a stalemate. Flash and his team managed to keep their focus up and evade any attacks Suki and her team dished out on them. Eventually, the pink team started changing their tactics. They were catching the green team by surprise and Suki went in for the kill. They had managed to cover nearly 3/4 of the stage and weren't letting up. Suki was bound to not let Flash, her ex-boyfriend, and that rookie Izzy win this match.
It was the last minute of the final round, Flash and his team frantically covered as much turf as they could, but didn't pay attention to their opponents and were soon splatted at every given chance. The match had reached the last 30 seconds and Suki jumped out of nowhere and confronted Flash. "Same old Flash, chasing things you'll never get," scoffed Suki.
"Shut up, Suki! You gonna talk or shoot!?" shouted an agitated Flash.
"Hmpf... I just wanted to make sure my last splat on you would be savory, so tell me Flash, that rookie you got, is she your new squeeze?" asked Suki with a vindictive smirk.
"What!? No! She's just a friend! And what do you care!?" asked a flustered and bitter Flash.
"She's cute, I'll give her that, well Flash let's get this over with. At least you and your team put up some kind of challenge for me. I wasn't completely bored," said Suki snidely giving a fake yawn.
Flash went to quickly throw up his dualies as he growled and glared at his ex-girlfriend but it was too late. The squiffer user on Suki's team shot and splatted him before he could shoot Suki. She squid formed and jumped to a higher vantage point searching for Izzy. "There you are," she said when she spotted Izzy.
Izzy was between the center of the stage and their spawn pad. She was focused on covering the stage with ink as much as she can and didn't notice Suki watching her. Suki jumped down and made her move on Izzy. As Izzy was still covering the floor with ink as a figure soon approached her. Izzy looked up and saw Suki flying toward her. Izzy aimed her splattershot jr. at her but it was shot out of her hand as Izzy gave a yelp.
Suki landed down and kicked Izzy backward against the wall. Izzy got up and rubbed the back of her head and looked back toward Suki. Suki gave her a devilish smile and aimed her dualies at Izzy. Izzy was frozen in fear and felt mortified by the situation.
"So what's a rookie like you doing on Flash's team? Ran out of turf players back in the square or something," sneered Suki.
"No! He invited me you stuck up squid!" shouted an irrational Izzy.
Suki moved in and put her dualies in Izzy's face. "Hmpf... Flash must be desperate or something or he's trying to bait me with you," said Suki.
"Bait me? what do you mean!?" asked an angry Izzy.
"Oh... I think you know what I mean. He's trying hard for me to get back with him, you know me and him were once a couple as I'm sure you've heard," said Suki.
"He wouldn't get back with you even if you were the last squid on earth!" exclaimed a flustered Izzy.
"Oh yeah, ask him why we broke up squid. You'll see his true colors eventually and I mean figuratively of course," said a snide Suki.
"I don't have to listen to you! We're gonna win this match and beat you!" shouted Izzy.
Suki crossed her arms and shook her head. "Tck...Tck...Tck... you're so delirious, like Flash. You can't see that this match is about over and we've already won," said Suki. Just then the two of them could hear the timer and the announcer call out the end of the match when all of a sudden splat. Izzy was shot by Suki and pulled into the spawn pad. Just as her ghost floated away toward her side. Suki looked up at her. "You'll find out soon enough," said Suki as she turned and walked away.
Izzy popped out of the spawn pad and returned to the lobby with Flash and the others. There, Flash was sulking with his arms crossed with a defeated expression. Ben and Jazz remained quiet recanting the match they had, not wanting to bother their team leader. Izzy slowly approached the group thinking about what Suki had said. "Umm... Flash?" asked Izzy meekly.
Flash picked his head up and faced Izzy. "(sigh) yeah?" asked Flash indifferently.
"I'm... sorry we lost the match," said Izzy.
"Izzy it's fine, I just wish things didn't go the way they did between me and Suki," said Flash as he turned his face.
"Umm, about that... what did happen between you and her? Why did you two break up?" Izzy asked.
"Look... it's complicated and I don't feel like talking about it," said Flash.
"Suki told me you were using me as bait before she... splatted me. What did she mean Flash?" asked Izzy with concern.
"She talked to you?" asked a stunned Flash. Izzy looked at Flash and nodded. "That's not true! I...wanted you to be on my team, she's just... trying to get into your head," said Flash hesitantly.
"Flash you act like your hiding something," said Izzy.
"I'm not hiding anything! Just... GO HOME!" yelled Flash as his mood changed.
"Flash!" shouted Jazz.
"What! I should've never let a rookie play this match with us!" shouted Flash as he turned toward his teammate.
Izzy gasped and was hurt by Flash's outburst. Tears were starting to form in her eyes. Ben and Jazz gave Flash a displeased look. "Flash, that was uncalled for, you need to apologize," demanded Jazz. But it was too late. Izzy dropped her splattershot jr. and ran off crying.
Flash turned feeling remorse for what he said. "Izzy! I'm sorry!" he shouted as he ran after her but she squid formed and disappeared.
Izzy explained her story to Cassie and she felt troubled about all that Izzy had gone through. Cassie approached Izzy giving her a long hug. "It's ok Izzy, I'm sorry flash was a jerk. I told you that you should've waited, some of these turf players have their minds just centered around their reputations and these stupid matches," said Cassie as she pulled off.
"Yeah...I know now, I just wanted to play. I didn't expect Flash to be like that. He seemed helpful and friendly," said Izzy.
"Not everyone is hospitable, unfortunately. People will use you sometimes and sometimes you have to get over it. It's a squid eat squid world sometimes in the turf war games. I should know," said Cassie, thinking about when she and Camper played together.
The two of them resolved their differences and turned toward the apartment. "Let's head in. I need to talk to you about something Izzy and this is going to be very uneasy for me to go over," said Cassie as they walked in.
It had turned night in Octo Canyon. The screens had projected a night sky with stars and clouds to replicate the outside. An octoling was laying in their cell just waking up from a dream they just had after getting captured by the octo rebels. The sergeant got up and looked around. She sighed in defeat and rubbed her forehead. "Not sure how I'm going to get out of this one," said Sergeant Maxie.
After a moment she plopped back down on the floor against the wall looking toward the cell door. She turned back and looked down and closed her eyes. "What a dream, It was like I was back on the saltspray rig again but the platform caught on fire. I remember falling off the ledge of the deck and landing in the water. I sank and couldn't swim back up to the top, it felt like I was getting pulled down. My vision got blurred and I saw a figure swim down and grab me and pull me back up but we weren't at the saltspray rig. It was some kind of beautiful valley with trees and fields of flowers. I remember the sunlight beaming down on me as I shielded my face and then I saw the figure kneeling down next to me. When my vision cleared it was Blake, that human, smiling at me asking me if I was ok. Then everything faded and I felt I needed to wake up but at the same time...I didn't," said the sergeant to herself recanting the dream she had.
The sergeant rubbed her face and shook her head. "Ever since he saved me back at the rig, I've had these feelings. What could it mean? I can't be..." said the sergeant as she cut off when she heard footsteps outside the door.
The little window on the door opened up and a small tin ration was thrown in. "Eat up! Traitor!" shouted the voice as it closed the window.
The sergeant walked over and grabbed the ration. She opened and saw inside were some sardines. "I guess they couldn't give me something good, I guess it's better than starving," said the sergeant.
The sergeant sat back down and tried to enjoy her meal still thinking about the dream. She had also wondered where Melvin and Selena were, hoping Obi didn't try and capture them too or lead them into a trap.
meanwhile, Selena and Melvin had camped inside the commissary, seeing the area was still being patrolled by octo rebels. The two of them threw a couple of glow sticks into a pile to illuminate the rear corner of the store behind some fallen down shelves. It seemed like the activity was slowing down with the octo rebels patrolling the area and the two were deciding either or not to slip away while it was dark but decided to get some rest for a little bit.
Melvin was sitting against the wall while Selena was kneeling over the chem light pile. "Well I guess it's not all bad, at least there some food around we can eat and I think the rebels are pulling back, maybe we can get out of here in the morning," suggested Selena.
"Yeah, maybe, I'm getting tired," said Melvin as he yawned and put his hand down.
"I had a question...do you like the sergeant?" asked Serena with a smile.
"What!?" jarred Melvin in shock. "What kind of question is that!?" he asked still stunned.
"Well I heard about the shower room incident and I was just wondering why you spying on her?" asked Serena with a slight smirk.
"First off, I wasn't spying on her! Second, I was sent to go look for her! I had an urgent message from the lieutenant and the showers were the last place I looked! Third! She hates my guts! Why would I like her!" exclaimed Melvin.
"Well I guess I would be too if I had some octoling watching me in the shower," said Selena.
"I told you! I WASN"T SPYING ON HER! DAMN!" shouted Melvin as his face turned red and then crossed his arms.
"Ok, Ok, Geez! Lighten up! I'm just messing with you!" exclaimed Selena.
"(sigh) I wish you'd stop. I'm just not in the mood," said Melvin as he crossed his arms and looked at Selena with displeasure.
"I'm sorry ok, you're so uptight. Does the sergeant have it out for you that much?" asked Selena.
"It goes back to our days at boot camp. She was my drill sergeant and let's just say I've been nothing but a disappointment in front of her and I've been in plenty of wrong places at the wrong time situations with her," explained Melvin.
"oh...I'm sorry," said Selena.
"It's ok, I just wish... she'd just give me a chance to prove myself. I understand she had a hard life as well. She never wanted to join the octarian army," said Melvin.
"She seems pretty committed," said Selena.
"Well we all are, that's just how things are underground. The sergeant always wanted to go up to the surface and see how the world was like up there," explained Melvin.
"I think we all would and we can now since we formed a peace treaty with the inklings," said Selena.
"Not necessarily, the government wants all octarians to stay put in Octo Valley since the rebels objected to the peace treaty. Until they are stopped, they don't want us to risk getting caught by the inkling authorities and getting blamed for any kind of attack on the inklings should we be up at the surface when they do. Until the octo rebels are stopped we can't go up and leave for the surface. It's political mumbo jumbo," explained Melvin.
"Oh, that's too bad...I was hoping we would go to the surface soon," said a disappointed Selena.
'We will...once the octo rebels are put into custody. Well, it's getting late. We need to get some shut-eye so we can get up early enough and sneak outta here without getting caught," advised Melvin.
"ok," said Selena as she sat down next to Melvin. She leaned her head against his shoulder and slowly nodded off. Melvin blushed a little and turned his head away. "Goodnight...Melvin," said Selena before she fell asleep.
"Good...night, Selena," said Melvin nervously as he eventually fell asleep himself. The two of them stayed the night until the next morning when they would try and find a way out and search for Obi and the sergeant.
Back in Octo Valley the lieutenant was patiently waiting to hear back from the recon team led by Sergeant Maxie. She began to worry and didn't want to risk calling the unit if it meant compromising their positions. After a couple of minutes, she turned away from the consoles being manned by the octolings and toward the main doorway. She gave a sigh and decided to walk out of the command room.
The lieutenant walked out, not acknowledging anyone of her departure and headed down toward her barracks. Her mind was troubled and she wanted to get away from everyone for a moment. She made it to her barracks without running into anyone and walked into her room. She pulled out a flask and took a swig of the liquid. She put it away and laid on her bed and took her goggles off.
"(sigh)...I hope the sergeant and the recon unit didn't get captured. Maybe putting that bumbling specialist in Maxie's team wasn't a good idea. I pray for their safety, I would hate to know what would happen to them if they got caught," said the lieutenant as she slowly closed her eyes.
She dozed off for nearly 10 minutes before she awoke with a knocking at her door. She got up and groaned. "I guess I can't enjoy some time to myself," said the lieutenant to herself.
She opened the door and saw the octoling in the lab coat from before. "Yes, what is it?" sternly and slightly annoyed.
"Uh... yes, Lieutenant. I was looking for you back at the command center and weren't there, I just..." said the octoling nervously.
"Out with it already!" exclaimed the aggravated Lieutenant.
"Y...Yes ma'am! I have some information regarding the blood sample from the human and more findings on our research," explained the octoling.
"This better be important!" shouted the lieutenant.
"I...It is ma'am! Come with me," said the octoling as she waved the lieutenant.
The two of them headed toward the lab. Once there they headed toward the back of the lab where there was a fossilized human skeleton on a large table. "Our excavation teams have come across this, we believe it to be a fossil of a human," said the octoling.
"This is an amazing find, but what does this have to do with Blake's blood?" asked the lieutenant.
"Well, we did a DNA sample on the fossil," said the octoling researcher.
"And?" asked the lieutenant wanting the octoling to get to the point.
"And, the DNA from the human's blood match!" exclaimed the octoling.
"What!?" replied the lieutenant unsure how to make out the revelation.
"Yes, they match. I'm utterly speechless myself," said the octoling.
"But, what does this mean?" asked the lieutenant.
"I'm not sure, There are so many questions that need to be answered. We can only conclude that this is some relative of the human. That's why we need him back," said the octoling.
"Right now, my only focus is on stopping the octo rebels before they do any more damage. This will have to be put aside for the time being, maybe your team will find more," said the lieutenant.
"We'll try ma'am, but this is still astonishing. Maybe we'll find more fossils," said the excited octoling.
"Inform me on anything if it's the most upmost importance. I'm heading back to my barracks. I just hope I don't get disturbed...again," said the lieutenant as she walked out of the lab.
The octoling in the lab coat looked back the fossilized human skeleton and studied it but something caught her eye. On the rib of the skeleton covered in dry mud was what appeared to be some kind of card. She pulled it off the ribs of the skeleton and attempted to chip off the dry mud on it. The card was very brittle and on the verge of crumbling apart. The front of the card was unreadable and the photo of the individual has faded away. She looked on the back and saw a logo on it. The logo consisted of a blue circle with white wave-shaped emblems. The card crumbled to pieces shortly after she studied it leaving a large shard with the logo still left on it.
"I wonder what this symbol could mean?" asked the octoling.
She placed the shard down and looked through her data files. It soon donned on her what the logo was. She picked the piece up again and looked at it. "It can't be," said the octoling researcher. "If I remember correctly this is the same logo on the vault doors, do the humans have something to do with vault?" she asked herself.
One of the other researchers walked over enticing that the female octoling was acting curious with the piece of plastic she had. "Ma'am, did you find something?" he asked.
"Otto, that ID, well, what's left of it, has the same symbol on it as the vault doors. I'm wondering if this human is connected somehow," said the female.
"There's a good possibility, we'll have the team analyze it," said Otto.
Go ahead, I'll go ahead and get back to examining the fossilized remains," said the female researcher. The two went to their stations and continued on investigating the fossil and it's connections with the vault.