Arc 2 Chapter 14
The Arc Polaris was slowly descending back to earth as the crew of the large ship was frantically putting out the fires and members in the cockpit were trying to keep the ship on its orbit. "Sir! It's no use! The Ark is veering off course and the earth's gravitational pull is dragging us down back into the atmosphere. The engines don't have enough power and much of the fuel has been depleted!" shouted a crew member to Director Irons as they were running down a corridor to the command center of the ship.
"I don't care what it takes! We can't allow the ship to crash back down on earth! I want all thrusters at full power and I want the Ark back on its orbit! Do you understand!" yelled the director as he grabbed the collar of the crew member.
The crew member was shoved away and he rushed ahead toward the cockpit. The director and his guards finally made to the command center where they faced the AI tartar. "Tartar! Direct the ship back on its course right away!" shouted the Director.
"I can't do that," replied Tartar.
"What! Why not!" shouted the director.
"I'm commencing resettlement of the earth. The occupants of the Ark Polaris will soon reestablish civilization of the planet in 24 hours," said Tartar.
"Abort you stupid AI! Don't you understand that the earth is still covered in water!" explained the director.
"I have already released the serum into the occupants' cryostasis pods during our descent. I have determined that the crew will not sustain aboard the Ark Polaris before the projected time of resettlement and that the risk of pod malfunction is moderate to high, This is the best course of action if mankind is to survive," said Tartar.
"I order you to abort! Someone shut that AI down right away before it's too late!" shouted the director.
"It is too late for all of you, human knowledge will be passed down to the next race of inhabitants once civilization is rebuilt and restored. It is the will of the professor. I'm sorry you fail to see that," said Tartar.
The guards took their weapons and shot at the computer systems and screen thinking they shut Tartar down but the AI had already infected everyone with the serum and soon it would permanently change humanity for years to come. The Ark shook violently and everyone scrambled to get to there pods. "Everyone get in your assigned Cryostasis pods now!" ordered director Irons.
The guard headed to their pods while Director Irons was on his way to his. "I'm glad my pod was not connected to the system. That doctor Carter designed a handful of self-sustaining pods for me and one of the rescue shuttles for just an emergency," said the director to himself. He hopped inside the specially designed pod and closed it. "I'll soon be the ruler of our new world and lead mankind to a new future," said the director as the pod commenced the cryostasis stage.
The ship descended back to the earth as it engulfed into flames from the atmosphere. The ship was slowly coming apart and landed on a small exposed island surrounded by the oceans in a fiery crash.
For years the ship laid on the island before the occupants would be released from their pods and mankind would be forever changed.
1000 years later, on another large island miles away, the rescue shuttle doctor Carter and his family escaped on was half-buried in the ground it was covered with foliage growing around it. The shuttle was decrepit and was starting to blend in with its surroundings. Inside dust and moss covered the walls and floors as well as the pods the humans were laying inside. One of the pods lit up and hissed as the hatch on it opened. Inside was a thawed figure that hadn't woke up yet.
The figure blinked to refocus their sight. They sat up and crawled out of the pod, trying to get their bearings. "Ohhh...what happened? How long has it been?" asked the nauseated figure holding their head. They turned looked to the other three pods in the shuttle and remembered what had happened. "My wife, Amy, Brandon, I remember but how long have we been in those pods?" exclaimed James.
He stumbled over to the pods and tried to open them. He banged on the pods until they finally opened up. "Hon, hon!" shouted James.
"J...James, what's...going on? Where are we?" asked his wife weakly. He pulled her out as she looked around. "It's ok, honey, we're safe now," said James pulling her into a hug.
"Wait, where's Amy? where's Brandon?" she asked.
"We're in here," said Amy as she and Brandon slowly climbed out of the pods they were in.
"Amy...Brandon, you're ok," exclaimed the mother. As she ran over to hug her daughter. James headed over to Brandon. "Glad you two made it," said James.
"Uhh, my head, I don't wanna do that again, where the heck are we?" asked Brandon, feeling like he needed to vomit.
"Last I remember was the shuttle crashing back down to the earth. By the look of things, we must've crashed on land but I'm not sure where," explained James. "We need to get out of here and check our surroundings," suggested James.
He climbed up a hatch on top of the shuttle and looked around and saw nothing but a lush jungle. "What do you see?" asked his wife.
"Nothing but dense forest, I can't tell where we are," replied James.
The three other humans climbed up and got on top of the shuttle and looked around. "Where are we?" asked Amy.
The four of them scanned the area and soon spotted smoke coming from somewhere further away out of the forest. "Look, smoke, maybe it's people, dear," said the wife as she pointed to the direction of the smoke.
"I'm not sure, but let's be careful, ok is everyone ready?" asked James. They all nodded and jumped down off the shuttle and headed to the direction of the smoke to see if they could get some help. The humans would soon find out they were not alone on the island and that the inhabitants would change their lives forever as they trekked through the jungle.
Blake had woken up from the vision and looked around. He saw he was back in Marie's shack with a figure lying on top of his body. It was Marie with her head laid on Blake's chest fast asleep. He kimono was halfway down her back with her exposed chest on his. He blushed at the sight and pulled the kimono back up to her shoulders as to not see anything he didn't want to see out of respect and seeing her as family. She moved around as he pulled up her kimono and afterward he moved her over to the side and sat up.
He looked at the sleeping squid sister and gave a deep sigh. "I guess she needed some comfort, I can't blame her though," said Blake. He walked out of the shack and covered his face from the morning sunlight. He sat on the ledge and stared at Inkopolis in the distance. "Home...I don't know what home is anymore," said Blake as he had conflicting thoughts running through his mind. He turned back to the shack and gave a deep breath. "I need to finish the mission, I need to rescue the sergeant and find Callie...then I can focus on finding my family," said Blake.
He turned back to Inkopolis and then looked down at Octo Canyon. "don't worry sarge I'm coming," said Blake. He got up and walked trough the octopus archway above the shack. He went through the training area and finally reached the tea kettle. He popped the lid off the kettle and looked inside. "(sigh) well, here I go," said Blake as he jumped in. The kettle steamed and shot him to the next location.
Meantime, Marie rolled over, reaching her arm out but she didn't feel Blake beside her. She opened her eyes and saw Blake was gone. "Blake? Blake!" she shouted as she sat up holding up her kimono. She got up and walked around still shouting his name. "Where could he have gone?" she asked herself.
She then headed over to the training area and saw the kettle was still active. "Oh no, Blake, I need to get a hold of Sheldon. He wasn't done repairing his headset plus he doesn't have a weapon," exclaimed Marie as she rushed over to the radio at the shack.
"Sheldon! Sheldon! Come in!" shouted Marie. "Please answer me you crab," she said to herself in irritation.
"Marie? (yawn) do you know what time it is? " asked the half-asleep horseshoe crab.
"Nevermind that Sheldon, Blake left and headed back into Octo Canyon without his headset and weapon!" shouted Marie.
"What! don't worry Marie, I'll see if I can do something," said Sheldon.
"Well hurry," said Marie as she got off the radio. She gave a deep sigh and shook her head. "Blake why did you leave like that," she said to herself.
Izzy made it to the next dome through the tea kettle she was shot through. She looked around and saw the dome was simulating a night sky. It was the night prior and Izzy was getting sleepy. Before she progressed any further she found a place to lay down, under some trees on the floating landmass she was on. She stretched and laid under the trees and started to nod off.
"I didn't realize being an agent was so overwhelming. I feel bad for Cass, I thought being in the squidbeak would be cool," said Izzy as she rolled over. After a moment, her thoughts were running around in her head. "I...miss home...I miss Flash and Cassie..." said Izzy sadly. Tears started to develop in her eyes. "I don't wanna be a squidbeak agent anymore...I wanna go home," whimpered Izzy as she kept herself from crying.
Minutes passed and the inkling girl finally fell asleep but on the other side of the landmass was a small fleet of Octozeppelins being manned by the octo rebels who were loading them up and preparing for the assault on Inkopolis. The Octozeppelin station was busy with octarians loading equipment onboard the octozeppleins while other octarians were training for combat.
The scar-faced Major an octoling elite and second-in-command of the rebels was overseeing the operations. "Once the inkling navy sends its fleet to form a blockade around Octo Valley, they will leave themselves vulnerable to our octozeppelins. Those stupid squids think those traitors took the great zapfish. This will play well into our plans not to mention their diplomats were intercepted and captured before they could reach the octarian government. Inkopolis will soon be ripe for the picking and we'll soon take care of those turncoats in Octo Valley once Inkopolis falls and the inklings are under our foot," sneered the major.
Soon an octoling regular headed over to the elite as she watched the rebels prepare for the attack on the inklings. "Ma'am, the octozeppelins are loaded and the troops are ready, when do we deploy?" asked the octoling.
"Octavio has informed me the attack on Inkopolis will commence in the morning as soon as the inkling naval fleet heads to Octo Valley, then the city will be left open for our octozeppelins to move in," answered the major.
"What about the squidbeak agents?" asked the octoling.
"The Octo-Samurai will deal with the inkling but the human on the other hand. That sergeant will provide the perfect bait for that fossil while we capture him at Tentacle Towers before he can reach her," said the major.
"Why do we need the human alive for anyway?" she asked again.
The major was starting to get annoyed at the octoling's questioning and bared her teeth at her. "He's our only ticket inside that vault. The red queen also informed me she had other special plans in store for that human but she won't elaborate on what they are. Now, I don't wanna hear any more questions! Now head to your quarters and get some rest for the attack tomorrow morning!" demanded the elite.
"Y...Y...Yes Ma'am!" she saluted and octo formed away.
As the octoling left the major had received a phone call. She picked up her octophone and answered it. "Yes, Ma'am," responded the major.
"I'm insuring that everything will according to plan and that we're keeping Octavio on a tight leash. He will lead the assault on Inkopolis and once we've taken control of the inklings, we will set our sights on Octo Valley. When the Octarian government is toppled with your help, Octavio will be knocked off his throne and you will take charge, Red Queen," said the Major. "The human? I've already made plans to catch him and once I do I'll inform you," she continued.
The major had a nervous look on her face as the Red Queen was displeased that Blake wasn't captured yet. "I can assure you that the human is as good as yours once we intercept him at Tentacle Towers," said the major in a distressed tone. "I know you were expecting the human in your possession already, I won't let you down my queen. Yes ma'am, Black Knight out," said the major as she was in a hurry yo get off the phone.
She placed the phone in her pocket and continued overseeing the operations before retiring to her quarters for the attack in the morning.
Meanwhile, back at the power station inside the arena was the giant roller left behind by the Octo-Samarui that was slain by the inkling agent. The motor built on to the roller hummed and steamed. A light flashed on it and the ghost of the Octo-Samarui descended back down onto the roller. After a moment the Octo-Samurai regenerated and squeezed out of the roller itself and hopped onto the floor with one knee down. He looked back and grabbed his roller clutching it in his hand.
"This isn't over insolent squid, I will avenge my honor and stop your reign of terror, mark my words," said the Octo-Samarai as he stood up.
That following day, Marina was in her lab at Pearl's mansion when all of a sudden Pearl shouted for her to come into the den. Marina left her lab and headed toward the den where Pearl was sitting on the couch pointing at the TV. "What is it, Pearly?" asked Marina in slight distress.
"Rina, look!" she pointed.
On the TV was an emergency broadcast being put out by the Inkopolis Defense Force. Commander Armie of the IDF was relaying a message through the inkopolis news stations. "This is a public service announcement for all inklings. As you all know the great zapfish was stolen by the octarians that have violated the treaty. We have sent diplomats to talk with the Octarian government but we have not heard back from them. We can only assume they have been interned my the octarians and seek no resolution of peace between us. We are prepared for anything the Octarians may be planning. A shelter-in-place order has been established as well as a curfew. Any inklings caught out during the curfew are subject to arrest and questioning. That is all and I wish the safety for all of Inkopolis. This is a public service announcement brought to you by the Inkopolis Defense Force," The message ended with an IDF icon appearing on the screen afterward.
"Oh no, Pearl this isn't good. I can't go back to Inkopolis! I'm an octoling and they could take me in thinking I might be a spy or worse deport me," said Marie in much distress.
"Rina! That ain't gonna happen! They'll all have to go through me first!" said Pearl as she stood off the couch in a fighting posture.
"Pearly, I don't want you going down for me, what do we do?" she asked frantically.
"We'll just stay here and out of sight," suggested Pearl.
"Pearly we have to think of something better than that," said Marina.
"Well I don't know what else we can do!" exclaimed Pearl as she stuck her hand in a jar of mayo.
"I'm heading back to the lab, let me know if anything else comes up," asked Marina as she walked off.
"You and that dumb lab of yours, we hardly get to hang out like we used to," said a frustrated Pearl.
"Now's not the time Pearl. With the great zapfish gone and the inklings on the verge of going to war with the octolings. hanging out and doing girl things is the last thing on my mind. (sigh) Right now I'm concerned about Inkopolis," said Marina.
"Rina, everything will be fine, you're getting your tentacles in a wad over nothing, just relax and chill yo," said Pearl as she plopped back down with her jar of mayo.
Marina shook her head and continued back to her lab. Pearl just moaned and went back to eating her mayo and laying on the couch.
Marina got back on her laptop and saw a message that had appeared on her screen. She clicked on it read the message that was sent. It was from Indigo_Agent and it read:
This is an urgent message from Indigo_Agent.
DJ_Hyperfresh I've heard sources that Octarians plan on defending Octo Valley and if the inklings do place a blockade around the octarian territory they will take action. I fear war could start if things escalate. Me and the outcasts are going to keep our heads down for a while. I'll try and stay in touch if I can. Also, I'm hearing that the Octo rebels may attack Inkopolis soon with Octavio leading them. Please stay safe.
Indigo_Agent out.
Marina finished reading the message and slowly closed the laptop. "You too, Indigo, Said Marina as she downed her head worrying over the outcome and whether or not the inklings and Octarians would ever establish peace again.
Meantime at a disclosed area in Octarian territory, a purple tentacled octoling could be seen sitting at a table inside a small structure. She had momentarily put away a laptop of her own hooked up to a small satellite dish. "I was hoping we would eventually visit and catch up on things old friend but with things the way they are right now, it may be unlikely," said the octoling.
She got up and walked out of the shack she was in. She wasn't wearing any goggles or armor like an octoling normally would but instead just her tank top and shorts with her stomach exposed. Outside were other small dwellings with more armorless octolings walking around as well as the walking tentacles all with purple color instead of red like normal.
"Indigo!" shouted a voice. The octoling stopped and looked. She saw another purple-headed octoling with a flower on her tentacle run toward her. "Luna?" she responded.
"You've been cooped up in that shack for a while now," said Luna with her hands on her hips.
"Sorry, I've been talking to an old friend and informing her of what's been going on in the valley, I finally managed to catch a signal on the octarian network since I don't have to go back," said Indigo.
"Indigo, you know we're trying to stay out of the affairs between the inklings and octarians, why are you still getting involved in that," said Luna with slight irritation.
"I'm sorry Luna but you know as well as I do that I just want peace to stay among the two races, I'm not getting directly involved," said Indigo.
"I don't want us getting discovered, we are outcasts, after all, deserters, throwaways, expendables. We've worked hard to establish a place we can call home," said Luna.
"I assure you I won't get us caught, believe me, Luna. I was hoping we would settle in Inkopolis before anything could happen," said Indigo.
"Inkopolis? Why would we wanna go there? Those inklings would never accept us, treaty or not. This place may not be great but it's better than being in the army," said Luna.
"To think you used to love being in the army, you were a drill Sargeant after all, Luna. Now your a peace-loving octoling who just wants to just kick back and relax, you've done a complete 360," sneered Indigo.
"That was before I saw how Octavio treated his soldiers! We were all expendable and discarded once we failed to stop that squidbeak agent from getting the zapfish back. I lost many soldiers and Octavio didn't care one bit," said a fuming Luna.
"We all felt that way, Luna, It's ok but now we have to worry about war again," said Indigo.
"You mean they do, I don't think peace will ever happen between the two races," sneered Luna.
"I think their will be," said Indigo.
"How do you figure," replied Luna.
"The human," said Indigo.
"The human? But they're extinct, what are you going on about," said Luna raising an eyebrow.
"No, there's one still alive and he happens to be friends with the inklings. He came out of a metal pod that was dug up by the inklings and somehow survived all this time. This human may be able to establish peace among the races since it seems both the inklings and octolings have always been fascinated by them and their technology," said Indigo.
"You sure this human exists? I mean we used to talk about them in fairy tales and all, especially the promised land if it exists too," said Luna.
"yes, he is very real," said Indigo.
"He? It's a male," said a slightly stunned Luna.
"I'll talk more about it another time and what I've gathered his name is Blake," responded Indigo as the two of them ended the conversation and headed further in the village. The Outcast Village as it was called was founded by octolings and octarians that either were casted out or deserted the octarian army during Octavio's rule. They built the village of what resources they had and formed a community taking in more outcasts and deserters that never left for the surface when Octavio was finally stopped. They changed their color to purple as a sign of solidarity against Octavio's color which was red. Things would overtime prove that the outcasts would soon rid themselves out of warfare and into a peaceful environment coping with the idea of a coming promise land.
Far away across the ocean, two figures could be seen walking into what looked like some kind of camp established in a large city square. The figures were two armed humans by the name of Flint and Stone. The two of them walked over to a large army tent and walked inside. They saw a group of young men huddled around a table with a map in the center of it going over battle plans. "Right now, we haven't gotten attacked in nearly a week, we can assume they're up to something. The attacks have been committed by small numbered forces, I think they're trying to figure out our vulnerabilities and how we react to their skirmishes. Expect their forces to grow and utilize heavier weaponry," said one of the men.
"We can't hold them off much longer, our supplies are dwindling and it's only a matter of time until they get inside the walls," said one of the men.
"I know that. we have to think of another strategy, all we can do is prepare for any attacks and strengthen our defenses," said the first male.
"How much longer do you expect us to hold out, I say we evacuate and make our move to the east while their's no attacks right now," said another male.
"We'll just make ourselves an easy target plus I'm sure they have spies watching the walls waiting for us to vacate. We'll be vulnerable outside the wall and easy pickings, it would be suicide!" shouted the first male.
"You have a better idea!" shouted the second.
"Enough! As of now all we can do is hold them off until we can think of a better solution. Right now the walls are the only thing that's keeping them out!" exclaimed the first male.
Stone had cleared his throat as he got the attention of the men inside the tent. "Oh...it's you two, what do you want?" sneered the male.
"We're done with our shift and awaiting further orders," said Stone.
"(sigh) I guess you two are relieved from duty, go get something to eat," said Marcus.
"Awesome, I'm starving, let's go Stone," said Flint as he left the tent. Stone shook his head and followed Flint out of the tent and toward the mess hall tent.
"(deep breath) Idiots" remarked Marcus.
Flint and Stone headed over to the mess hall tent and grabbed some food. Some fruit and a bowl of stew. They sat next to a campfire and ate their dinner. As the two of them were eating a figure approached them. "Wonder how much longer Marcus is gonna keep us pinned up behind these walls," sneered the figure.
"Not sure, all I can say is they better come up with a plan soon. We've lost too many of our people," said Stone.
"Well, we're not gonna last much longer, I can tell you that for a fact," said the male that had approached them.
"Dude, I'm not gonna worry about it, as long as we're behind the walls, we're safe. I just wanna enjoy my dinner right now, haven't eaten all day," said Flint.
"Flint, you freakin' idiot. As you heard them say in the tent, we don't know how much longer we can hold them back. We're biding time right now and I don't know how you fail to see that," said Stone as he smacked Stone in the back of his head, almost spilling his food.
"Well, I'm gonna let you guys go. I might talk to Deacon about this of Marcus fails to see reason," said the man as he walked away.
"Glad he left, now I can eat, after someone almost spilled my food!" exclaimed Flint in irritation. Stone shook his head again and started eating.
Stone had finally finished his stew and wiped the apple he had gotten before biting into it. "So I wonder why the big pow-wow in the tent. I mean we've been at this for a while now unless there's they're not telling us," said Stone as he was chewing on the apple.
"I'm not sure, seems Marcus is pretty concerned. I know he doesn't want to leave the sanctuary but we may have no choice. It's just a matter of time at the rate we're going," replied Stone as he finished his meal.
"Seems like humanity is on the verge of extinction again, between them and the virus that's killing us off," said Flint in depression.
"I don't wanna dwell on it, I just wanna stay focused on defending the sanctuary and protecting everyone," said Stone as he bit into his apple.
After 10 minutes passed by the two of them just say near the fire having a discussion about the events of today and spotted Marcus walking out of a tent and heading off somewhere. "Isn't that Marcus?" asked Flint.
"Yeah, he's seemed down more than usual," said Stone.
"I say let's follow him," said Flint as he got up.
"What, how he feels toward us, I don't think that would be a good idea," said Stone.
"C'mon," waved Flint as Stone got up and moaned not wanting to follow Marcus.
Marcus walked over to a hospital tent where people were being treated, unknown to him, he was being followed by Flint and Stone. He walked inside and saw numerous patients being treated by nurses and doctors but on the far end, he was counting the body bags as they were being carried out. "Marcus, what brings you here?" asked one of the doctors.
"Hey, Doc, how bad is it?" he asked.
"Right now, we're doing our best but the virus is steadily mutating and we can only treat our patients. I pray that things get better, we've already lost 50 people within a week, explained the doctor.
"(sigh) I hate to hear that, I'm sorry for your troubles," said Marcus.
"It's fine, I'm...sorry we couldn't save your sister," said the doctor sadly. Marcus remained silent as both anger and sorrow filled his thoughts to the loss of his sister to the virus. "You did your best," replied Marcus.
"I know...she was the only family member you had left, it's truly saddening about what happened to your parents before you came here," said the doctor.
Marcus downed his head and turned away out of the tent. Flint and Stone hurried to find cover to stay out of sight. Marcus headed off to the graveyard behind the settlement with Flint and Stone in tow. The graveyard was littered with markers and crosses from victims of the fighting and the life-taking virus that was plaguing what was left of humanity. Marcus came across a gravestone with his sister's name etched in it. He kneeled down and prayed over her grave. Afterward, he remained over her grave and placed his hand on the stone.
"Oh, Misty how I miss you and your smile...I just wish...I could've done more, I wish I could've saved you but I..." said Marcus as he broke down crying over her gravestone.
Flint and Stone watched seeing Marcus cry over his sister's death. "I've never seen Marcus like this, I didn't know about his sister," said Stone.
"Poor bastard, I feel sorry for him, I don't blame him for acting the way that he does," said Flint.
"Let's head back to the camp. I can bear it anymore, he deserves our respect and we've just been messing around," said Stone.
"Yeah, I had no idea. C'mon let's go then," said Flint as the two of them left the graveyard. They looked back at Marcus and felt deep sympathy for him even though he was a total jerk to them all the time not realizing that he had so much on his plate. The night went by and the humans stayed on guard worrying that they might get attacked anytime by the threat that would jeopardize their survival.