Arc 3 Chapter 13
It was quiet at the Deepsea Metro as Cassie, Cleo and Cuttlefish eagerly waited for the subway to reach their station. Cleo was trying to nap with her head against her arms behind her head as she sat on the bench while Cassie was hunched over twiddling her fingers. Cuttlefish was moving around examining the large station as he never knew such a subway would run underneath the city.
"You said humans built this place," said Cuttlefish.
"As far as I know," said Cleo with her eyes still closed.
"Hmm...fascinating," replied Cuttlefish.
"What exactly is this place?" asked Cassie.
"The Deepsea Metro is like a maze of tunnels and different stations but what I understand they all connect to these testing facilities, I'm not sure what for but all I know is that it's run by Kamabo Company and I don't know that much about them," explained Cleo as she turned and looked at Cassie.
"If you don't know much about them, then why work for them?" asked Cassie.
"(sigh) You don't understand what me and my sister went through. We were homeless once were evicted from our home because we couldn't keep up with the bills. The turf war games weren't enough and neither was my sister's job. I was a rookie back then and Inkopolis can be cruel at times. I and my sister felt like bottom dwellers just trying to make ends meet until we got in contact with C.Q. Cumber and he offered us a job we couldn't pass up," said Cleo as she hunched over looking at Cassie.
"What about your folks? They couldn't help you out or go move back in with them?" asked Cassie.
"Me... and Megan, didn't want to prove we couldn't handle it and our parents have enough problems as it is. Our family wasn't exactly living high off the sea pig neither," said Cleo.
"I'm sorry to hear that... but still, you don't know who this Kamabo company is, I mean they've been around since the humans went extinct. that's pretty strange and not to mention Blake came out of that pod that was built by the same company, who knows what they're capable of," said Cassie.
"Look, I really had no other option, ok, so get off my tentacle. I did what I had to do, try being homeless and looking for scraps for nearly a month," said Cleo as she was angered by Cassie's judgment.
"Ok, I'm sorry, let's just focus on the mission, it wasn't right for me to question your actions, I guess I can't say I blame you," said Cassie.
"Think nothing of it," said Cleo as her frustration resolved.
"By the way, I did have another question," said Cassie.
"Shoot," replied Cleo.
"I heard something about you were dating an octoling guy and that's why you helped out the octarians," said a slightly stunned Cassie.
"I...am, he left Octo Valley to start a new life. he reminded of me when I first came to Inkopolis. He left the army for the surface and we eventually ran into each other and started talking. I was critical of him being an octoling but the more I listened to his reason the more I started getting interested in him, and we eventually became friends then soon we got into a relationship," explained Cleo.
"I never would have thought an inkling and an octoling would ever hook up," said Cassie who was stunned by what Cleo had said.
"We're not that different as a matter of fact," said Cleo.
"Huh... I guess I wouldn't have thought about that," said Cassie.
"An inkling and an octoling, that is odd, I would never think such a thing would happen. Even before the war, it seemed strange back then," said Cuttlefish cutting into the conversation.
"Does he know you're working for this company?" asked Cassie.
"Yeah, he works with them too, but in secrecy kinda like me and Megan. As a matter of fact, I haven't heard from him in a while. Since I've been unable to get in contact with him since I Infiltrated Camper's gang and got put in the hospital. He must be worried sick," said Cleo.
"Well why don't you call him now?" asked Cassie.
"There's no cell service down here and besides we gotta job to do. I don't want to worry him any more than he already might be," said Cleo.
"That's understandable I guess," said Cassie.
"Hey, Lass, when's that subway gonna get here?" said Cuttlefish getting impatient.
"relax old squid, I couldn't really tell you, so don't get your tentacles in a twist," said Cleo.
"Old squid! listen here, you need to mind your manners and show some respect to your elders," said Cuttlefish stomping his foot.
"Relax, I'm sure it'll be here anytime now," said Cleo as Cuttlefish glared at her while crossing his arms.
"geez what's his problem," said Cleo to herself.
After a couple of minutes a roaring noise could be heard echoing down the tunnel in front of them. A pair of lights illuminated the tracks as it got closer and stopped in front of the three inklings. The subway slowed down and came to a halt as the three eagerly waited for the occupants to come out. Suspense filled the air as the three stared at the subway unsure what would happen next. After a minute or so the doors slid open but no one was there until they looked down and spotted a little blue sea pig crawling out of the doorway wearing a conductor's hat.
"I see you've made it," said the sea pig looking up at the inklings. "And you've brought friends," it continued.
"Who are you exactly?" asked Cassie as she stared at the creature.
"young lady, my name's C.Q. Cumber and it's a pleasure to meet you," said the sea pig as it tipped its hat with one of its antennae.
"Wait, you're C.Q. Cumber?" said a baffled Cassie.
"I don't know who else I would be," replied the sea pig.
"C.Q. Cumber, I hope this doesn't void my employment with Kamabo bringing these two down here with me, they were eager to meet you and find answers about our employer," said a nervous Cleo.
The sea pig looked over Cassie and Cuttlefish who looked back at the conductor with question. "I don't see why not unless they are willing to do some tasks for the company as well. I see no harm," said the sea pig as Cassie and Cuttlefish look at each other.
"Well let's go then," said the sea pig as it crawled onboard the subway. The three inklings just walked past the very slow sea pig and found their seats while C.Q. Cumber still hadn't made through the doorway yet. The three of them found a seat while C.Q. Cumber finally made it in and headed toward the inklings.
"So where are you needing to go?" asked C.Q. Cumber
"Just take us to the hub," said Cleo.
"Very well, you will need to get suited up while you're there anyway," said the sea pig. C.Q. Cumber looked back at Cassie and Cuttlefish. "And go ahead and fill them in on what to do on our way there," said the sea pig she crawled away.
"What's the hub?" asked Cassie.
"It's where I got initiated for the company and where I first met C.Q. Cumber, don't worry you guys will be fine," said Cleo as she sat back in her seat to take a short nap.
"I hope she's right, but I feel she's not telling us everything. I think she's hiding something," said Cassie to Cuttlefish.
"Let's stay on our toes lass, I feel the same," sad Cuttlefish.
The subway took the three of them toward the first station where Cleo was employed with the mysterious company as Cassie and Cuttlefish stayed leery of their situation while Cleo just fell asleep during the trip there.
Flash was hanging out at Musselforge Fitness looking at the turf war stage that he and Izzy first played in. He was looking down off one of the ramps and recanted the match the two played in and remembering when he snapped at her for his team losing the match. "(sigh) Oh, Izzy...I was such an ink head. I shouldn't have yelled at you, it's just suki...seeing her I just got frustrated. I couldn't stand losing to her...I hope you can forgive me, I just wanna see you again," said Flash feeling deep remorse for his actions over Izzy.
Flash laid his head against his legs, deep in regret over his actions. "Flash," said a voice. Flash turned and looked toward the source of the voice. It was Jazz, his friend, and teammate.
"Jazz, (sniffle) what are you doing here?"
"I came here to check on you. We swung by your place but your mom said you came here. Me and Ben were getting really worried about you," said Jazz.
"Well, don't be, I'm fine," said Flash with attitude.
"Flash, I'm your friend," said Jazz with an annoyed glare crossing her arms. "And so am I," said another voice. It was Ben who walked up from behind Jazz.
"Dude, you need to quit beating yourself up over this and let it go. If you feel so bad then tell Izzy and let her know how you feel," said Ben.
"Yeah, I know how you feel about her," said Jazz with a smirk.
Flash blushed at Jazz's remark and turned toward her. "I...don't know what you're talking about!" shouted the embarrassed Flash.
"Ben, it's ok if you do, don't feel sorry for it," said Ben.
Flash's embarrassment started to resolve and he looked back at his friends. "You guys are right but I saw her with that tall inkling go into Ammo Knights. I was mean to her that day during the match. I don't even know where she even is," exclaimed Flash.
"We've asked around, but no one's seen Izzy," said Jazz.
"I'm not sure where they could be, ever since the great zapfish went missing, Izzy went missing," said Ben.
"Well, I'm not giving up, Izzy's out there somewhere and we gotta keep looking," said Flash as he sat up.
"Dude, what else can we do? We don't know where she even is and plus I heard Inkopolis was going to put under curfew if the great zapfish doesn't return," said Ben.
"Curfew, what for?" asked Flash.
"Without power from the zapfish, Inkopolis is dead in the water, nothing can run, dude. I've been hearing rumors that the inkopolis defense force might go to war with octarians because they were the ones that stole it from us," said Ben.
"But what about that treaty? I thought we were all supposed to get along," said Flash.
"Well it doesn't look like it, I was eager for the octarians to come and visit our city, I guess that won't happen," said Jazz.
"Surely their just rumors," said Flash. "I hope we don't go to war with them," he continued. Just then alarms went off all over the city. After a couple of moments, the alarms stopped and was followed by a public service announcement. "Inkopolis, this is the IDF. By orders of the inkling council, we hereby place the city under full curfew and urge a shelter-in-place with the absence of the great zapfish. Anyone outside their home during curfew will be subject to arrest and questioning, this is for your own safety, if you have any questions then to inform our liaison," said the intercom.
"Are they serious?" said a shocked Jazz.
"They can't be," said Ben.
"We urge everyone to make their way to their homes and until the curfew had been lifted. The IDF and police will be patrolling the streets of Inkopolis to ensure that the shelter-in-place orders are not violated. This is for your own safety. That is all," ended the intercom announcement.
The three looked at each other then soon all their phones rang. It was their parents. "Yes, mom I'm coming home now, ok, bye," said Jazz to her parents as she hung up.
"Alright, I know, yes, I'm coming home right now," said Flash to his mom.
"Yeah dad, I heard the public service announcement, I'm going home right away," said Ben to his dad on the phone.
The three looked at each other again. "I guess we better head home then," said Jazz.
"Yeah, I guess so," said Flash.
"That was my dad, he seemed pretty concerned. Something must be up," said Ben.
"Isn't your dad in the IDF?" asked Flash.
"Yeah, he's a strategist for the IDF. It can't be good from how he acted. I better get home before he gets even more worried," said Ben.
The three leave Musselforge Fitness and walk back to their homes. Down the streets, they could see inkling propaganda that was smearing and criticizing the octarians and their government. War posters could also be seen with an inkling soldier pointing at the reader saying we need you. IDF draft and recruit ads were also taped to poles and walls and some were littering the streets and sidewalks.
"So I guess...we are going to war, this isn't good," said Flash.
"Look, let's just take a deep breath, we'll get through this, ok you guys," said Jazz.
"I don't know how you expect us to be calm in a time like this," said Ben staring at Jazz.
Flash felt an Inkopolis Defense Force draft poster hit his foot and he looked down and picked it up. He studied it and an idea popped in his head while Jazz and Ben were bickering.
"You guys, I think...I'm going to join the Inkopolis Defense Force," exclaimed Flash.
"WHAT!" they shouted in unison.
"Dude are you crazy! You're too young and besides if you can lose in a turf war battle what's to say you'll make it in a war with the octarians!" said a flabbergasted Ben at utter surprise his friend would even think of an idea like that.
"He's right Flash! Why would you even consider that!?" shouted a stunned Jazz.
"I'm serious! Maybe... I can find Izzy if I joined the IDF, not to mention...maybe she'll be impressed with me being in the army," said Flash.
"Bro! You're not thinking clearly! Is this what it's all about, over her!?" shouted Ben who was started to get agitated with Flash's remarks.
"I'm doing this and you guys aren't stopping me!" shouted Flash.
"You're willing to put your life on the line for that chick, you don't even know her, you were mad at her for losing the match, now this!" said Ben in anger.
"I don't care what you think, besides, if the octarians did steal the great zapfish then joining the IDF may be the best, then I can fight for everyone, including Izzy," said Flash.
"You know what, I don't care neither. You're willing to leave everything, your turf war status, your family, your friends for her...Fine then! Go get splatted then! Who cares if your best friends and family worry sick about you!" shouted Ben.
Flash please don't do this, we don't wanna lose you knowing we might go to war," said Jazz trying to reason with her friend.
"I'm sorry Jazz but my decision is made and I'm joining even if I have to lie about my age," said Flash.
"Ben! say something!" demanded Jazz. Ben just looked at her with indignation and turn away.
"Bye you guys," said Flash as he squid formed and slithered away.
"FLASH!" shouted Jazz as she reached her hand out and fell to her knees.
"Let him go!" sneered Ben.
"But Ben..." started Jazz.
"If he wants to join the IDF and find Izzy then let him, we gotta get home before it gets too late," said Ben with indifference as he started to walk away.
Jazz looked at Ben then turned toward the direction of where Flash headed off to. She stood up and slowly followed Ben feeling saddened by Flash's decision and the end of their friendship.
The dome walls projected a cloudy night sky and a cool breeze that blew threw the unfinished building of Tentacle Towers through it's exposed walls. A figure could be lying on the floor of a cell they were placed in hours ago. The sergeant woke up and rubbed her head from the blow she was given by the octoling rebel. She looked around and remembered the events that transpired before being placed in the cage around her.
"(sigh) Well, I went from one cage to another, awesome job Maxie," said the sergeant in defeat.
She got up and looked around. She noticed it was night time and saw no guards around. "I hope Blake rescues me soon, I need to get a hold HQ ASAP and inform them on the octo rebels's plans," said the sergeant.
She downed her head as she grabbed the bars of the cage. "Oh, Maxie, you never learn," said a voice in the cage with her.
The sergeant jumped and turned around but saw no one. She then turned back around and looked outside the cage and still didn't see a soul. "Over here," said the voice again.
She looked toward the direction of the voice and saw a figure on the bed of the cell. It was the entity from before, back when she was locked up at the rebel base. An octoling sporting a white veiled dress that looked just like her. Maxie rubbed her eyes to see if she was seeing things and gave the entity a glare. "What do you want?" said Maxie harshly.
"Just keeping you company, so lighten up," said the octoling entity.
"Why are you here?" asked Maxie.
"I'm here to talk some sense into you," said the entity.
"Talk some sense into me, what could you possibly want to say to me. I'm in the same predicament I was in before. I don't want to hear what you have to say," said Maxie crossing her arms and turning away from the octoling entity.
"Headstrong as usual," said the entity as she gave a sigh. "You like dealing with your problems head-on, unfortunately, it will cost you in the end. Look at what's happened to you so far. You're so eager to deal with that major, that you've lost your train of thought. Acting before thinking, your instincts and stubbornness have proven to be a bigger threat to yourself than those rebels, you're not reliant on others for support but rather facing your problems by yourself, I come to you for reason not intrusion," said the entity.
Maxie's mood lightened up and she started listening to the entity as she turned around to look at her. "(sigh) I guess... you're right, but how can I find peace while we are at war?" asked the sergeant.
"Blake may be the key," said the entity
"Blake?" asked a confused Maxie.
"Yes, the human, he may be the bridge to peace between the two races," said the entity. "And he may bring peace inside of you, Maxie," continued the entity with a smile.
"Bring peace? Between the inklings and octolings? Bring peace inside me?" asked a still baffled Maxie.
"You still haven't let go of your parent's deaths and your distrust toward the inklings. You keep fighting your feelings for Blake, why not accept you love him. You've been having dreams of the promised land...and Blake," said the entity. "I know you Maxie...and I know what the future can hold for you," the entity continued.
"Just tell me if me and Blake will ever... be together?" asked Maxie impatiently.
"That's for you to find out. As for Blake, He's still determined to find his family. Another had revealed her love him but..." said the entity.
"But what..." responded Maxie with anxiety.
"Let's just say that he has accepted them as a family in this new world that he's awoken into but that doesn't mean that things could change in the future," said the entity.
Maxie had much running through her mind and couldn't see clearly what the entity was telling her. Conflicted with what the entity had said to her the ghostly octoling walked over and placed her finger on Maxie's forehead and a bright white light surrounded the two of them.
The sergeant opened her eyes and found herself sitting up against a large oak tree near a stream. She was wearing a white veiled dress like the entity and woke up from a nap. "Ohhh...what...happened, where am I?" asked the sergeant.
"Maxie!...Maxie!" shouted a voice. She looked around and saw a figure looking around shouting her name until they spotted her. "Maxie? There you are," said the figure as they ran toward her under the tree. It was Blake as Maxie looked at him with confusion. "Maxie, what's wrong? I've been looking all over the place for you," said Blake.
"You...have," said Maxie meekly.
"Yeah, it's dinnertime and we need to get back to the house," said Blake.
"Dinnertime...house?" said the sergeant as she stood up still unsure what was going on.
"Maxie, are you feeling alright?" asked Blake.
She soon remembered what was going on with dreams she had been having and looked back up at Blake who was concerned. "yeah, I'm fine, I just woke up, lead the way," said Maxie as she rubbed her head.
"Ok, as long as you're fine," said Blake as he signaled her to follow.
As the two of them walked Maxie got beside Blake and grabbed his hand. Blake looked at Maxie as she gave him a smile and he smiled back. The two of them reached a white wooden family house that you would see out in the country with a porch and swing. Maxie was absolutely stunned and was taking in the sight of the house and the surroundings. The two of them walk on the porch and go inside.
Maxie was perplexed, she had never been inside such a nice and comforting place. The floors were a dark laminated wood lined with white trimmed walls. She tried taking in the sight of the interior and was mesmerized. Where on earth was she the octoling thought herself. "C'mon Maxie before the food gets cold," said Blake as Maxie froze from examining the home's interior. She was still trying to take in the surroundings. The interior was average but for the octoling it was absolutely amazing seeing what a human lived in, instead of residing in a cold dark dome never seeing the sun or the sky.
As Maxie got closer to the kitchen, the smell of food drew her in. She had never smelt something so good in her life. She stepped in and saw Blake at the dining table with the food she smelled set up on top of the table. She stared at her meal and it looked satisfying. The octoling stared at it as she started to drool at the sight. "Maxie, you gonna sit down and eat?" asked Blake.
The octoling shook her head and snapped back into reality. "Oh, yeah...thanks Blake, it looks really good. You...prepared this?" she asked him.
"Yeah...I thought this would be a good idea. Gotta be better than kelp," said Blake as he started eating.
Maxie picked up a fork and started digging into her meal. It was chicken with mash potatoes and green beans. The taste of the food was like pleasure for her mouth. She slowly took in every bite never eating something so good. Blake smiled seeing how Maxie was acting toward the food he cooked for her.
After Maxie got done eating she looked across the table at Blake. "Blake...I...can't thank you enough for all of this...I" started the sergeant as she wanted to cry.
"Maxie it's okay, like I said before, you wanted to come here so I made a promise I would bring you her, I know how much you talked about this place and...," said Blake.
"No...I wanna make it up to you," said the sergeant sternly as she got up off the table.
"Maxie it's fine, look, let me clean the table and do the dishes. Just go sit in the living room and relax," said Blake.
"No, let me clean the table and do the dishes," said Maxie as she grabbed her plate and Blake's. Blake was unsure why Maxie was acting like this, so he decided to head into the living room not wanting to argue with the octoling.
A few minutes passed and she dropped one of the plates on the floor as she was washing them. "Dammit Maxie!" she jeered at herself.
"Maxie are you ok?" asked Blake hearing the plate bust.
"It's fine! Just an accident," said Maxie as she swept and threw the plate away. "All finished, Blake," she said. The octoling walked into the living room where Blake was and sat beside him on the couch. He hugged her and the two embraced each other for a few minutes. "Blake... I love you," said Maxie as she looked up at Blake.
"I love you too Maxie," said Blake. "You know I do..." he continued as he looked at the octoling.
Maxie then locked eyes with the human and her affection for him reached its peak. "Then... show me," said Maxie.
"Huh?" said a confused Blake.
"I wanna make it up to, for everything you've done for me," said Maxie looking hard at the human.
"Maxie, what's gotten into you?" asked Blake who was dumbfounded on her behavior.
Maxie got off the couch and stood in front of Blake. Her eyes still glued to the human as he stared at her wondering what she was about to do. Maxie slowly pulled up the veiled white dress she was wearing and dropped it on the floor. Blake's eyes widened and his expression turned to that of shock, not predicting what the octoling had just done. The naked octoling climbed up into Blake's lap and placed her hand under his chin, drawing his face toward her's. This was followed by a deep kiss with Blake given in to the octoling's affection as he soon placed his hand beside her face. The image soon faded to bright white light as Maxie woke up from the lucid dream.
She jumped up and shook her head. She looked around and saw that she was back in her cage at Tentacle Towers. "What! But...I...Blake..." said the octoling sergeant as she got up. "No...No...No...why did it have to end!" shouted the frustrated sergeant. She got on her knees and pounded the floor with her fist with her head lying against the floor too. Tears formed in her eyes and she fell over crying. "Why do you do this to me!" she cried. She continued to ball in the cage as she laid on the floor but a figure was watching her. It was Serena observing her old commander out of sight in the shadows.
"Maxie..." she said as a tear ran down her face behind the goggles that was controlling her.
At the octarian army base in Octo Valley the lieutenant was having a hard time sleeping. She got up and decided to walk around to get her mind off things. "I could use a kelp ale right about now, but I need to stay sober-minded, I just hope Maxie and the recon team aren't in any danger. I haven't heard from them in days, If this keeps up then I might have to send in a search party," said the lieutenant as she sighed.
It had been nearly an hour since the elite left her quarters and walked away into the night. She was leaning against a guard rail on the balcony overlooking a portion of the octarian base. Much was stewing in her mind about the reports she heard about the great zapfish's disappearance and possibly a retaliation from the inklings blaming them for its theft.
"Lieutenant! I've been looking all over for you! What are you doing up there?!" shouted a voice.
The elite looked down and saw an octoling in a lab coat. "What is it!" shouted the lieutenant with annoyance in her voice.
"I'm sorry to bother you but I need to talk to you!" the octoling researcher shouted.
The elite grumbled and octo jumped down beside her. "This better be good," said the lieutenant in irritation.
"Yes, ma'am we've come across another human skeleton sharing the same DNA as the one that was rescued from the saltspray rig that was let go with the inklings," explained the octoling in the lab coat.
"Huh, another one, look right now my concern is our relations with the inklings. So far we can't get a hold of Inkopolis or the inkling council. I guess we'll have to explain to them the situation about the octo rebels but I doubt they would believe me. The octarian government wanted to keep this contained to secure diplomatic relations with Inkopolis but I guess we have no choice if it could mean averting war if that's even likely, so right now I could care less about your fossil findings," said the irritated elite.
"But this is an interesting find, to discover the remains of humans that lived on this earth ages ago. You may not find it fascinating but I do, I had just wished that the sergeant wouldn't have allowed the human to stay with the inklings. There goes our chance of finding out more about a human especially since the fossil shares the same DNA as him, from the blood sample we received," said the researcher.
"What is done is done, as of now, it's not of importance. stopping the rebels and making sure we don't go to war with the inklings is. Now I know you and your team are fixated on human history and artifact, but I'm not concerned with things about the past I worried about things of the present," said the lieutenant.
"Well speaking of the past, what's the status of the vault. I've been hearing reports about the rebels trying break into the vault. What if they succeed? We don't know what's inside it," said the researcher.
"It's nothing worth panicking about. Our people back under Octavio's rule couldn't even get inside it and plus a task force has been assigned to go check it out. We haven't anything from the unit that was assigned to guard the vault. I'm sure the rebels are behind it," said the lieutenant.
"So the rebels are inside the valley too, what else do we have to worry about?" asked the lab-coat wearing octoling.
"Absolutely nothing, now look...I know you're concerned but I can assure you that the valley is constantly being monitored, especially at the canyon border. I don't believe the rebels would try anything inside the valley. It would be a bold move on their part unless there was something of interest that proved valuable for their operations," said the lieutenant.
"Well, their's another reason I brought up the vault. The fossil had an ID card with a symbol on it, If memory stands, I believe it is the same symbol on the vault doors. There must be a connection and with the fossil sharing the same DNA as Blake, I'd assume kin. Then that's why the octo rebels were so eager to apprehend him.
"The vault was here like the domes before we were banished down here. We concluded that they must have been built by humans. So yes, I believe that the human played a vital role of the rebels plans to get inside. Not sure how though and why the vault is of great interest to them anyway. I know it can't be good though, unless they know something we don't," said the lieutenant as she downed her head gave a sigh. She turned away from the octoling who waved her on. "Just continue your research and let me worry about the rebels," said the elite.
"Yes, ma'am," replied the octoling.
The lieutenant headed back to her quarters while the researcher headed back to the lab.
In the shadows watching the lieutenant and octoling researcher talk, a figure looked at the two of them and overheard their conversation. After they left, the figure kneeled down and pressed the side of their goggles. "Black Knight we're in position," said the figure into their headset.
"Good, now start sabotaging their equipment and make your way to their research lab and wait for further commands," ordered Black Knight.
The octoling waved at more figures that approached from behind. "Alright, our orders are clear, once we've disabled the equipment and place ink charges around the base we move to our primary target...their lab," said the octoling rebel.
Meantime, the octoling researcher returned to the lab where she was met with another octoling in a lab coat. "Ruby, you're back, we have done gathered more samples and discovered something extraordinary in the DNA of the human remains," said the octoling researcher.
"What is it?" asked Ruby.
"Look here, take a look at the DNA," said the octoling.
Ruby walked over to the microscope and then to a computer behind them with a display of the DNA. "Wait a minute, the DNA changed its code, but how," said Ruby who was slightly stunned.
"Not only that, look at the strands, does it look familiar?" asked the researching pointing at the display.
"That...can't be, Eva we need to save this data. I didn't believe it was possible. This is proof that debunks what we've known about our origins. This means the sunken sea scrolls are lying. This changes everything and possibly could end the war. This is remarkable," said Ruby.
"You really think this will bring permanent peace among the octarians and inklings for good," asked Eva.
"Possibly, we need to inform both governments about this before a war does start," said Ruby.
"I'll get all this data saved right away, ma'am," said Eva as she headed over to the computer.
"This is astounding, just wait until everyone finds out about this," said Ruby.
The octo rebel recon team had just got done planting charges around the loading docks of the octozeppelins. They set their sights on the research facility on the other side of the base. They octo jumped on the rooftops and behind cover on the way to the labs without getting noticed. Patrols of the octarian army were limited and minuscule at that time of the night. The rebel team finally made to the research facility and slowly made their way in with guns drawn.
"Black Knight come in, we've made it inside the research facility. What are your next orders?" asked the team leader.
"Gather up any data that would be essential to the operation. Find out if the octarian army has found out a way to get inside the vault," said Black Knight.
They walked down an unguarded corridor and finally inside the labs. As they stormed in they aimed their weapons on the octoling researchers. "Alright! Hands up and nobody move!" shouted the lead rebel.
"What's the meaning of this!" shouted Ruby the head researcher.
"Shut up and do what we say or we'll splat you all one by one!" commanded the lead rebel.
"Everyone! do as they say!" shouted Ruby to her research team. Eva and the others nodded as she took the opportunity to cut on a microphone to the comm network so the base could hear what was going.
"We're the octo rebel saboteur team and we demand you hand over any data related to the vault!" ordered the team leader.
"Look! We don't know what your intentions are but we have no data on the vault here. We don't know how to get in it!" shouted a frustrated Ruby.
"Then what have you been researching in here?! Tell us!" demanded the rebel.
"Just human artifacts and fossils!" shouted Eva.
"What's on the computer beside you?!" shouted the rebel as she pointed at the computer behind Eva.
"It's nothing! Just data on the fossils!" explained Eva.
"Let me see and keep your hands where I can see them!" ordered the rebel as she moved over to Eva. She shoved Eva out of the way and examined the diagram on the screen. "What is this?" asked the rebel.
"It's DNA from the fossils, nothing you would want," said Ruby as the rebel turned and glared at her before turning back to the computer screen.
"What's your fascination with these fossils anyway? What's so special about an extinct race?" asked the rebel leader with indifference.
"Well if you have to know, They are..." started Eva as Ruby signaled her to keep quiet.
"Know what?...start talking..." demanded the rebel leader. Eva remained quiet as the rebel waited for her to answer. "If you won't tell, then maybe I should shoot you and ask someone else," suggested the rebel. The saboteur team gathered up the researchers and congested them together off to the side. The rebel leader aimed her weapon at Eva's head. "I'm going to count to three and if you don't start talking then you'll be cleaning your friend off the floor," sneered the rebel leader.
Ruby and the rest of her team looked at the two with horror. "No...then one," sounded off the rebel as she started to count.
"Two..." counted the rebel again.
"Please don't do this!" pleaded Ruby.
And...three..." sounded of the rebel as she slowly squeezed the trigger of her octoshot.
"ALRIGHT! We'll tell you! Please don't kill her!" shouted Ruby.
The rebel smiled at Ruby behind her goggles. "That's a good girl, now spill it," said the rebel.
Meanwhile, the Lieutenant had heard the whole confrontation between the rebels and the researchers. "I want a rescue team sent to the research facility right away!" shouted the lieutenant over the radio. "Breach and clear the lab of those scum and make sure the researchers aren't harmed!" she continued. She grabbed an octoshot from the armory and rendezvoused with the rescue team which was getting prepped outside the research facility. "Everyone, get into places! I don't want any collateral damage!" ordered the lieutenant.
"Roger!" they shouted in unison.
The rescue team hugged the wall by the doorway and got ready to breach the facility with the lieutenant standing by them ready as well.
The rebels still had the researchers herded out of the way while the leader still had her weapon up against Eva. Ruby the research lead explained about the DNA from the human fossil and what they had discovered about it. The rebel leader was frozen by what the octoling told her and couldn't sum up the outcome of their findings. "That's...impossible! That would mean that all of our historical archives and teachings would be false and inaccurate," said the rebel as she was still pondering on the matter.
"It's true, believe it or not," said Ruby.
"I...I...won't believe it, I don't care what that data proves. It doesn't matter anyway! Once we attack inkopolis and take down you traitors in Octo Valley, the octarians will rule the surface and there's not a damn thing you can do about!" shouted the rebel. "This data is worthless, which means all of you are worthless! Splat all of them!" shouted the leader to her team. They all held up their octoshots and prepared to execute the researchers until.
BOOM! The lab doors flew open and the rescue team drew their guns on the rebels. "Lower your weapons now!" shouted the lieutenant. "There's no escape!" she continued.
The saboteur team dropped their weapons while the leader still had her weapon on Eva. "Cowards!" she shouted at her team. "Stay back or I waste the octopus!" shouted the leader as she grabbed Eva from behind and pressed her weapon against her head.
"Give up! There's no way out of this!" shouted the lieutenant with her gun drawn towards the rebel and Eva.
"Ha! You think I'll give up without a fight! Traitorous dogfish!" sneered the rebel. She threw Eva down and shot at the lieutenant. The lieutenant returned fire and shot the leader down but she took a hit to the shoulder and upper chest from the rebel and jeered as she was struck.
The rebel leader was knocked out but the lieutenant was in pain as she clutched her shoulder. "Lieutenant!" shouted Ruby as she rushed toward her trying to sit her up.
"You guys...alright," said the lieutenant jeering from the wounds.
"We're fine, thank you for saving us from them. We would've been dead if it weren't for you and your team," said Ruby.
"Think...nothing of it," said the lieutenant as she started to cough up ink.
"Lieutenant, stay with me!" exclaimed Ruby who was getting deeply concerned.
"I'll...be al...right," said the lieutenant as she passed out.
"Lieutenant, LIEUTENANT! I NEED A MEDIC OVER HERE!" shouted Ruby as the rescue team accessed the elite and treated her before getting her to the infirmary.