Arc 3 Chapter 15
It was over 2 years ago. Deep in Octo Valley, a group of octolings had gathered deep inside the base of the octarians in secrecy. They were standing around inside a large chamber surrounded by machinery and pipes being feed inside the base. The ceiling was lined with lights that were half-way lit. "Is everyone accounted for?" asked one octoling. The rest of the octolings and troopers nodded in response. "Good," she said. She turned toward an octostriker without its gear who was guarding the main doorway and gave it the signal to lock the door. It closed it and blocked the doorway before watching the group.
"We all know why we're here," said the elite who then took her goggles off. "We cannot stand for Octavio to rule over the octarian empire anymore. His actions have cost us many lives and not mention a retaliation from the inklings for taking the great zapfish. We have but only two options," said the elite with frustration.
The octolings and octarians looked at her with anticipation. "We keep fighting for Octavio knowing we may get killed in the process...or two...we attempt to stop Octavio and surrender knowing that we may get killed in the process as well...either way the odds are stacked against us," said the elite in defeat.
"Lieutenant Octillia if I may interject," replied an octoling in the group as she raised her hand.
"I'm listening sergeant Indigo," said the lieutenant.
"Yes ma'am...This may sound crazy but look at our options. I mean there has to be a third and I say there is. I believe we should make our way to the surface before it's too late or at least leave the valley. We can't fight the squidbeak agent or Octavio. I know it's desertion but what choice do we really have...getting killed!" shouted the sergeant.
"Sergeant Luna! I think you've been down in the lab for too long, what are we to do once we reach the surface? Do you honestly think the inklings will forget everything about what we've done. How will we survive? How I see it, that isn't even an option. Turning tentacle and running away from our problems and also abandoned our fellow octo kin. I will not," said the elite crossing her arms.
"Getting killed isn't much better! I'd rather take my chances!" shouted the sergeant.
"You'd best stand down sergeant! I'm the one who is leading this meeting and I say your option is out of the question. We need to vote on what should be done with our dire situation," said the lieutenant.
"Well, I won't! I say who's in favor of leaving the valley, raise their hand," said Indigo.
"I'm with you Luna. I'm not staying to get killed. I've watched enough of my brethren get splatted by that inkling already," said Sergeant Luna.
I majority of the troopers walked over toward Sergeants Indigo and Luna. Even the octostriker without its gear jumped behind the two octolings with a gargle. "If you're willing to pull such a cowardly move and take your chances topside then be my guest but I will not leave the rest of my people behind," said Octillia. She turned back to the rest of the group. "Who's in favor of fighting alongside Octavio?" asked the elite. No one put their hand up. "Very well, who's in favor of stopping Octavio and surrendering to the inklings?" asked the elite again. The octolings hesitantly raised their hands with the troopers hopping up and down to signal they were in favor.
"Very well...we've come to a decision, now let's think of a plan to do it," said the elite. After a moment an octoling regular burst through the door. "Lieutenant Octillia!" shouted the octoling.
"What the!" shouted the surprised elite. The group was frozen by the outburst of the octoling that ran through the door. "Wait...what's going on?" asked the regular who ran in.
"Explain yourself sergeant Maxie!" shouted the elite glaring back at the octoling.
"The...The squidbeak agent is in the base, she's already taken out the first line of defense. Octavio is calling on all reinforcements to stop the inkling," exclaimed the sergeant.
"We're out of time, looks like stopping Octavio may be off the table, damn it," said the elite quietly to herself.
"Stop...Octavio?" responded Maxie after hearing what Octillia had said.
"Nevermind, all soldiers to your battle stations!" commanded the lieutenant.
"We won't comply! troops! Let's get out of here! We're headed for the surface!" shouted Sergeant Indigo. Luna and the others followed her outside the chamber.
"What! That's mutiny! You'll be splatted before you reach..." shouted Maxie as she aimed her octoshot at the group but Octillia lowered her octoshot and shook her head. "Let them go," said the elite.
"What! But their traitors they should..." said Maxie as she was cut off. "Let...them...go, that's an order," said Octillia. The group of deserters left the chamber and vanished.
"What's going on?" asked Maxie.
"I'll explain everything sergeant," said the lieutenant as she gave her the details of the meeting and what should be done about the current situation. Maxie was stunned and uncertain about the lieutenant's actions but decided to listen with reason. She understood that her people were suffering and something needed to be done. She joined the lieutenant's entourage and they left the chamber to contemplate a plan to surrender to the inklings and hopefully form a peace treaty among the inklings before things got out of hand.
Meanwhile, the deserters watched the base from the ledge of a cliff overlooking their once home and lair of their ruler. "(sigh) so where do we go now?" asked Luna to Indigo.
"I don't really know, the words of Octillia is running through my head right now. She's...right. Going to the surface may be suicide but where else can we go?" asked Indigo.
"What about Octo canyon it was abandoned," said Luna.
"Without power, I don't know how we'll survive," replied Indigo.
"We'll think of something, we can't stay here," said Luna.
"You're right. We'll...head for the canyon then," said Indigo.
"What about your friend Marina?" asked Luna. "She was supposed to be at the meeting wasn't she?" asked Luna.
"I don't know why she didn't show up, maybe she didn't want to draw attention or risk us getting caught," said Indigo.
"I wonder...I hope she didn't back out," said Luna.
"She wouldn't! Something must've happened," said Indigo in defense.
"Well, I'm sorry she didn't make it, C'mon let's go," said Luna.
The troopers followed Luna away as Indigo continued to stare at the base. She pulled out a photo of her and Marina. "I hope you make to the surface Marina. You've always said that you wanted to. I wish you the best of luck old friend," said Indigo as she put the photo away and caught up to the rest of the group. They headed for Octo Canyon where they would form the Octo Outcasts and a community that would take in and house any octarians that abandoned the army or couldn't make it to the surface. Over time, the village would grow and thrive from the octarians that would come together and create their own power source left behind by the evacuations of the canyon from the great power outage from years ago.
Blake had made it back to Octo Canyon, still not fully recovered and without Marie's consent. He wasn't sure where to start or how to find Tentacle Towers where the sergeant was being held. He was back in the first dome that held three tea kettles. He would not go into the first tea kettle he had been shot through and took his chances to head over to the kettle on the far right. Izzy had gone through the other kettle so he assumed the last kettle was his best option. He opened the lid and jeered from the pain of his wounds as he did and shot through once he got inside it.
Once he made it to the next kettle he jumped out feeling nauseated as he stumbled getting his footing. The ride also irritated his wounds as he felt sorer than before. "I'll never get over that," he said regaining his composure. Blake walked toward the ledge of a platform the kettle was sitting on. He looked down and saw a large empty city sitting on the bottom of the dome. "What is this place?" he said to himself as he gawked at the abandoned city.
He saw more platforms ahead floating in the air leading toward the city. He followed the hovering platforms onward remembering he had no weapon to combat the octo rebels. He had to be mindful of his surroundings and try to avoid any threats he came across. It would be nearly an hour before he got to the city and he did his best to avoid any attention.
Meanwhile, Marie was rushing to get her hero suit on and grabbed a tank and her charger. She pressed her headset to get in contact with Sheldon.
"Sheldon!, this is Agent 2, I'm going after Blake before he gets killed, He left sometime this morning back to Octo Canyon," she said.
"What! But you're supposed to stay on Mt. Nantai, what about Izzy...I mean agent 4?" exclaimed Sheldon.
"right now, I'm concerned about Blake. Going on ahead without a weapon, he should have known better, that...that...," said a flustered Marie.
"Marie, I haven't heard you get this worked up in a while. Did you and Blake have words last night or something?" asked Sheldon.
"Now's not the time, Sheldon. Just get that drone thing in the air and keep an eye on Blake. I'm going to see if I can catch up to him," said Marie.
"Marie, what happened? Did you let know Blake how you felt towards him?" asked Sheldon.
Marie went silent for a moment before Sheldon called her name again. "Marie?" he asked.
"(sigh) yeah...I did," responded Marie.
"And..." responded back Sheldon.
"He...didn't feel mutual is all I can say," said Marie. "But he did consider me and Cal family and I guess that's all that matters, I still love him though," she continued.
"Well, if he sees you two as family then I wouldn't be saddened over it. Consider this your the only family he has right now," said Sheldon.
"You're right Sheldon, I shouldn't get bent over backward over it. He's been there for us and we've been there for him. I guess we really are family," said Marie.
"That's the spirit, now I guess you better get going. I'm sending the drone out to his last location and I'll see if I can send him a weapon. I've been working on a new one that I'd love for him to try out," said Sheldon.
"Well, let's hope he's not too far out before any of those octopi run into him. I'm heading to the kettle now, wish me luck, Sheldon," said Marie as she headed over to the kettle Blake jumped in and shot through.
Back in Octo Canyon, Blake managed to get inside the city. The streets were vacant as not a soul was in sight. He headed up the street still on guard, hoping he wouldn't run into any octarians on his way to save the octoling sergeant. Walking through block after block he saw a lot of anti-inkling posters taped to the walls of the surrounding buildings and blowing across the street from the breeze that was pushing between the buildings.
He was starting to feel lost and stopped to take a breather as he leaned up against the wall of a building. After several seconds he heard an approaching noise, it hummed and as it got closer it started to sound like a vacuum cleaner. He spotted a dumpster and jumped in it before he was spotted by whatever was approaching. The noise got louder as Blake peeked out of the dumpster lifting the lid and saw what looked like a giant metal fish crawling on the street. It was sucking up any ink and trash that lying on the ground. It scurred past the dumpster Blake was in and kept going down the street.
"What was that thing?" he asked himself as he stared at the giant metal fish. It turned around the corner and was out of sight. He hopped out of the dumpster and brushed himself and continued in the direction it came from. After a few more later he spotted a patrol of octotroopers and octolings walking down the street. "Crap, how do I get past them without a weapon," said Blake quietly. He turned and decided to head down an alley near him to avoid detection hoping to get around them. He ran down the alleyway and knocked a trash can over. One of the octolings heard it and spotted a figure running around the corner at the bend of the alley.
"What was that?" she said. She turned to another octoling. "I saw something head down that alleyway we need to check it out," said the first octoling. The other nodded and the two octo formed and followed after Blake.
Blake saw the other end of the alleyway but was blocked off by a chained gate. "Shoot, what now," he said. He ran up to the gate and attempted to climb but had no luck. "I need something to stand on," he said to himself. He grabbed an overturned trash can and set it down near the gate hoping it would boost him up but soon the octolings made it around the corned and formed back. They spotted Blake climbing on the trash can. "Look! A squidbeak agent! Get him!" shouted the octoling.
Blake turned and saw the octolings but he was shot in the back by their octoshot. He yelped and fell back as the octolings rushed toward him with their guns drawn on him. "Don't move you..." shouted the octoling but froze at Blake's appearance. "What the shell...what are you, you're not an inkling!" shouted the stunned octoling who still had here weapon on Blake.
"No...I'm not," jeered Blake in pain as he gritted his teeth from the pain. He attempted to get up but was hit with the octoshot from the other octoling. He was knocked back and laid on the ground as the two octolings loomed over him. "This must the human, I've been hearing about...we're in luck, we need to get a hold of the major right away," said the octoling.
"Wait a minute," said the other as she held her hand out. "How about we hold on for a moment, I have an idea," she continued. The other octoling gave her a suspicious look wondering what she was up to.
"What kind of idea?" asked the octoling.
"Well, we've both been under a lot of stress with all this patrolling and junk. I say we have some fun before we hand him over to the major," said the octoling.
"Fun? What are you...you can't be serious!" shouted the appalled octoling as she saw a grin come across the other's face. "(deep sigh) fiiinnne... I have been out of it lately, shoot lets do it," said the octoling. Blake gulped fearing what the octolings had in mind for him before he was dragged by the two octolings. Blake was hemmed against the wall in the small courtyard by one of the octolings while the other aimed her weapon at him.
"Me first, since it was my idea," said the first octoling who was bracing Blake against the wall. She whipped out her knife and placed it against Bake's neck. "Hold still human, this will be all over soon," she said.
"W...W...What are going to do to me?" asked a scarred Blake.
"Oh, nothing, just a little fun, but if you try anything don't think we won't hurt you," said the octoling. She ran the knife down Blake's torso and downward toward his crouch. Blake feared what was about to happen and could only pray something would stop this. "Please don't do this!" pleaded Blake.
"quiet fossil! I need a little stress relief," she sneered. She holstered her knife and started unzipping Blake's black cargo shorts as the other octoling still had her octoshot on the human. "Don't try anything!" she commanded. The other octoling stopped and something popped in her mind. She stared back at Blake as grin came across her face. "You know what...I like the other position better!" she said as she grabbed Blake and threw him to the ground behind her. Blake yelped feeling the pain from the wound and knew what the octoling was about to do what make matters much worse.
"Make your mind up already! I'm getting tired of waiting and holding this weapon!" shouted the second octoling before growling at the other.
"Keep your tentacles on! I just wanna savor this moment. you'll get your turn," said the first octoling.
Blake looked at the octoling with displeasure before she pounced on him. She yanked down on Blake's shorts as he struggled with her to keep them on. She got irritated and punched Blake right in the face temporarily dazing him. She then continued before she took her belt off and started slipping her shorts off. Blake blinked and squinted toward a flash of light emitting from on top of a building across from where the gate was.
"Hurry up!" shouted the octoling with the octoshot on Blake.
"Shut it and let me have my fun!" jeered the octoling on top of Blake.
Blake didn't have the strength to shove the octoling off him as she pinned him down. She gave him a devious grin before committing the heinous act but all of a sudden a shot could be heard and the octoling's eyes rolled back and her head went limp before bursting into ink. The other octoling's jaw dropped and her eyes widened behind the googles she was wearing. She turned toward the direction of the shot but it was too late. Another beam of ink flew toward the octoling hitting her right in the face. She fell back and burst into ink once she hit the ground.
Blake gave a deep breath of relief before he pulled his shorts back up and slowly got off the ground. A loud splash could be heard and a squid landed in front of Blake in a splash of lime-green ink. The figure changed back and it was none other than Marie. "Marie! W...What are doing here!? Was that you that shot those two?" asked Blake in great relief as he zipped up his pants.
Marie had a displeased look on her face from what those octolings were about to do to him and the simple fact he took off without a weapon. "I wouldn't stand by and allow those two... octopi just have their way with you, I can't believe they would stoop that low, how degrading. I'm glad I came in time like I did and as for you!" said Marie in an angered tone as she glared at Blake.
Blake was not looking forward to the ass chewing he was about to get from Marie. She held her arm out and slapped Blake as hard as he could almost knocking him over. He yelped from the hit and rubbed his cheek which left a red handprint. "That's for running off like you did. That was a stupid move to just leave without me briefing you, not resting from your wounds, and especially not having a weapon! You could've been killed! If I hadn't decided to go after you those two would've or worse!" shouted Marie still displeased with Blake's actions.
Blake had tears forming in his eyes and Marie's anger started to recede. "(sigh) Blake...I'm sorry I unloaded on you like that but I don't what me and Cal would do if you lost you. How gramps would react especially with you being my responsibility. Rash decision making could get you killed out in the field. You should've stayed behind back at Mt. Nantai, I..." said Marie as she cut herself off with conflicting emotions starting to stew in her mind.
"I'm...sorry Marie, you're right...I shouldn't have run off like that. It was a foolish thing that I did and if you hadn't come along..." said Blake as he was cut off by Marie.
"It's ink under the bridge now, let's just continue the mission," said Marie as Blake nodded, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"I've talked with Sheldon already. He's seeing if he can get you another weapon. For right now I'll provide overwatch ahead of you so you don't get caught. I believe I saw Tentacle Towers further down the street a ways. We'll rescue that octoling and see if she can get us to the octo rebel base and rescue Callie. I'll see where Izzy's at too and hopefully we can meet one another before we get there. It's going to take all of us to get Cal back as well as the great zapfish from Octavio's clutches," said Marie.
Marie was about to squid jump back onto the buildings when Blake cried out for her. "Marie! Thanks for saving me back there," he said.
She turned and smiled at him. "Don't expect to save your butt every time, like a said, stay out of sight if you can," said Marie as she squid jumped on top of a building with her charger.
Blake recomposed himself with thoughts about Marie's actions running through his head wondering if he really saved him because of her feelings for him. he focused back on climbing over the gate and getting back to the street hoping to not get in another predicament like he did. The two continued on toward Tentacle Towers with Marie sneaking on top of the buildings and with Blake on the street level as avoiding detection.
Octavio was in the center of a large arena surrounded by stands and a pool of purple ink down below. He was towering over a similar figure that was in a revealing spandex outfit wearing what looked like shades over their eyes. She had black and Magenta tentacles tied up on her head and she had a magenta-colored octopus tattoo on the side of her stomach. Two other octolings were standing on each side of her as they looked at Octavio.
"How have the test been?" asked Octavio.
"We're seeing improvements, sir, she is starting to follow every command we've given her," replied one of the octolings.
"Well done squirts, once the attack on Inkopolis commences I will use her voice to hypnotize the inklings and they will soon follow my commands as well. The irony that a squid sister the inkstains cherish so much will bring their downfall. Let's see how much of a performance they will enjoy once we get into places and bring an utter end to those hipsters and their glorious city. No one will stop us and the octarians will finally rule the surface!" sneered Octavio.
"Y...You're...wrong..." mumbled Callie.
"What was that?" asked Octavio as he glared at the squid sister.
"B...Blake will stop you..." she tried getting her statement out.
"You think so, huh? Well I have something planned for that bonehead and you're going to help me," sneered Octavio.
"I...I...I'll...NEVER HELP YOU!" yelled Callie.
"Oh really," responded Octavio as he pushed a button on his DJ booth. The hypnoshades shocked Callie as she cried in pain and kneeled down. "I won't stand for any insubordination! Get her out of here and make sure she will be obedient and follow every command!" ordered Octavio.
The octolings nodded and restrained her. They took her out of the arena area and placed her back into the secured room and sedated her on the bed.
"Looks like she needs more work," said the octoling.
"We'll turn up the frequency on the hypnoshades before the attack commences, more sedation may help her lose her will, we'll see," said the second octoling as they both left the room.
Callie started crying as she slowly fell asleep from the drug. She began to drift off and wanted to go back to her cousin and friends. Everything blurred and faded for a moment until all she could see was a bright white light that surrounded her. She could hear footsteps followed by the sound of a door opening. Her vision cleared and she saw multiple inklings sitting in benches dressed for a ceremony. She looked around as the crowd of inklings turned and looked at her with Marie beside her as they walked down an aisle. Further towards the large hall was Cuttlefish and Blake standing beside what appeared to be a jellyfish in a suit between them.
Cuttlefish was still wearing his old uniform but Blake was wearing a groom's black suit with a magenta-colored rose clipped on it. He had his arms down to his waist and seemed like he was hiding his nervousness as he twiddled his thumbs. "Well, Callie this your big day, and I think you'll make your folks proud," said Marie as they were at the rear of the aisle. The inklings started clapping as Callie nodded and slowly made her way to the front.
"Well, Bucko, you nervous," asked Cuttlefish to Blake.
"Just a little, Are you sure you're ok with this captain," asked Blake.
"I'm honored you would marry my grandsquid, lad, you've been by my side since before the great turf war Bucko and you've been like family to me and my grandsquids ever since," said Cuttlefish as he placed his hand on Blake's shoulder.
"Thanks, captain, I love Callie and I just wanna see her happy," said Blake as he bent down and hugged Cuttlefish. As Calle and Marie neared the front. Blake and Cuttlefish pulled away and faced the two squid sisters. The jellyfish in the suit cleared his throat as Cuttlefish and Blake got into their positions.
Callie stepped forward with Marie standing behind her. "Callie, you look great," said Blake. Callie blushed and smiled at him. "You too, Blake, I love you and I've never been happier," said Callie.
"Will the groom and bride please step forward," asked the jellyfish.
The two of them stood by one another facing the jellyfish justice-of-the-peace.
Marie got beside Callie while Cuttlefish got beside Blake. They handed the two their rings in a small box for the wedding ceremony. The two of them took the rings out and presented them to each other. They both held one another's hands and gave each other a smile. "If we are ready to proceed then let's begin you two," said the jellyfish.
The wedding ceremonial music started and everyone quieted down to watch the wedding between the squid sister and the human.
"We're here to today to marry these two lovers that they may both live happily, through the best of times and worst of times. May their bond with one another fast for the rest of their lives and cherish the memories they will make with one another. Does anyone object to these young lovers from marrying?" asked the jellyfish.
"Very well then, (clearing throat) let's begin the ceremony then," said the jellyfish. Callie and Blake turned and looked toward the Jellyfish as Marie and Cuttlefish moved toward the front away from the two.
"Do you Callie take Blake to be your lawfully wedded husband?" asked the Jellyfish. "I do," said Callie as she turned back to Blake holding his hands.
"Do you Blake take Callie to be your lawfully wedded wife?" asked the Jellyfish. "I do," said Blake still looking at Callie.
"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride," said the jellyfish as Blake uncovered the veil off Callie's face and kissed her on the lips for several seconds. The inklings cheered as Cuttlefish wiped a tear from his eye and Marie started to cry. "I'm the happiest squid in the world, oh Blake I love you," said Callie with tears in her eyes.
"Me too, Cal," said Blake as he hugged Callie. Callie had her head rested on Blake's shoulder for a moment until the room started to turn dark. The inklings stopped cheering and clapping. The room turned ominous as Cuttlefish scanned around and Marie's expression turned from joyous to deep concern. Something was wrong as Callie and Blake pulled off from one another. "What's going on?" asked Callie in distress. Soon a black puddle of ink appeared underneath Blake.
"W...What's going, Callie," asked a distressed Blake.
"Blake!" shouted Callie.
Soon black octopus tentacles popped out of the ink puddle and grabbed Blake as they pulled him down. "Callie!" he shouted.
"Blake hold on!" she shouted back as she grabbed his hands.
The inklings were frozen in fear and didn't know what to do as Cuttlefish and Marie rushed over to help Callie pull on Blake. "Bucko! Don't let go!" shouted Cuttlefish as he and Marie had a hold of Callie.
Blake saw he was halfway down inside the ink puddle and feared the there of them would get pulled down with him. "Callie," said Blake. Callie looked back at Blake with fear of losing him. "I love you...but you have to let go! I don't you getting dragged down either!" said Blake.
"No! I won't let go of you!" shouted Callie.
"I'm sorry Cal, but if you don't then I will," said Blake as he was nearly consumed by the puddle as the tentacles steadily pulled him down.
"Blake No!" shouted Callie as tears formed.
Blake broke his grasp with Callie and finally got pulled into the black ink. "BLAAAKKKE!" cried Callie. The black puddle shrunk and disappeared with the inklings still looking in horror and despair. Callie fell over with Cuttlefish and Marie where the puddle was. Callie rose up and pounded on the floor. "Blake! BLAAAKKKE!" she shouted.
NOOOO! BLAKE!" she cried again as she wept over losing her human lover to the black tentacles that grabbed him. She cried on the floor with Marie and Cuttlefish rushing over to console her. They hugged her as the crowd of inklings surrounded them with deep empathy for what had happened. The dream ended and Callie's will over the hypnoshades was broken. The squid sister was under the total influence of the hypnoshades and forgot about Blake, Marie, Cuttlefish, and her friends.
Cassie, Cuttlefish, and Cleo were still riding the subway to the hub, the first station they would get off at. Cleo had her headsets in listening to music and sleeping at the same time. Cuttlefish had soon dozed off not too long after she did. Cassie was looking around and then toward Cuttlefish. She gave a sigh and decided to wake up Cleo. The inkling agent had many questions she wanted to ask Cleo before they got to the hub and walked over and tapped Cleo on the shoulder. Cleo stirred and gave a yawn. She saw Cassie standing in front of her and took off her headset.
"We there already?" asked Cleo rubbing her eyes.
"Um, no...I...had some questions before we get there," replied Cassie.
"Yeah what is it?" she asked.
"No offense but I don't think you've been completely truthful to me and Cuttlefish," said Cassie.
"What do you mean? I lead you down here didn't I, why the suspicion all of a sudden?" asked Cleo with an eyebrow raised.
"It's just you're being awfully helpful and just barging in back at the lighthouse with your weapon drawn on us like that. You seemed like you didn't want us here," said Cassie.
"Look I didn't want you and the old geezer getting involved. This is my problem you wouldn't understand," said Cleo.
"Oh, I understand perfectly. I hope you're not leading me and Cuttlefish into a trap, because if you are, I'll make sure you won't leave this place either," said Cassie as she glared at Cleo with her eyes narrowed.
"Is that a threat. I leave the hospital to stop you too, only to be pressured into bringing you down here and now you think I'm putting you in danger! To think I looked up to squidbeak. I'm forever grateful that you guys rescued me from Camper but don't think I'm going to let you treat me like a criminal or something because I'm working for Kamabo. Like I told you before I don't know much about them either and once we get to the hub you can find out the answers for yourself because I'm not going to help someone who thinks I'm a two-faced squid!" exclaimed an angered Cleo as she stood up and glared back at Cassie.
Cassie's suspicion resolved and she looked back at the angry Cleo. "(sigh) you're right...I'm sorry, that was wrong of me to say that," said Cassie apologizing to Cleo. Cleo crossed her arms and soon her anger was dissipating. "Do you forgive me, It's just I'm leery about all this. This subway, Kamabo, the photo and book back at the lighthouse," said Cassie.
"It's ok, I guess I don't blame you for thinking like that, look I'll help you and the old squid once we get to the hub," said Cleo. She extended her hand out to the agent and they both shook and put their differences aside. The door opened to the subway car and C. Q. Cumber crawled toward the two inkling girls. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked.
"Um, no, just having a peaceful conversation," said Cleo.
"Well, we'll be coming up on the hub soon. So prepare to get off and Cleo I want you to guide them through the hub. So they don't get lost," said the sea pig.
"No problem, that's what I planned on doing the first place," said Cleo.
"oh, then I hope you folks had enjoyed the trip then," said C. Q. Cumber as he left back to the other car.
"I guess I better wake up the old squid then," said Cassie.
"Yeah, I admit that I'm worrisome about this place myself. I've only been to the hub and nowhere else. The other stations I haven't been to; only that they're reserved for the "subjects", whatever that means," said Cleo.
"Subjects, that's odd, maybe we'll find out when we get there," said Cassie.
"I hope so," said Cleo as she sat back down.
Cassie stared at Cleo for a moment before heading over to wake up Cuttlefish. An intercom came on: now arriving at the hub, prepare to stop," it said which jarred the old squid awake. "Huh! What'd I miss?!" shouted Cuttlefish in surprise.
Cassie turned toward Cuttlefish who was wide awake from the intercom. Cleo got back up as the doors slid open. "Well we're here you two," she said as she walked out.
"Well, Cuttlefish, hopefully, we'll get to the bottom of this," said Cassie.
"I hope so, lass, I'm not liking this place at all," said Cuttlefish.
The two soon got out and looked around at the hub station. There were neon lights and signs around the wall. What looked like a large kiosk was ahead that said information on the top of it in human language which the three couldn't read. Guard rails surrounded the large area and the floor had arrows and other directing writing on it which they couldn't read either. Cleo walked over to the directory and slid the card into the reader by the doors. The light turned green and the doors unlocked.
"Well, you two coming?" she asked.
"Yeah, we're right behind you," said Cassie.
Cuttlefish grabbed Cassie's arm as she started to move forward. "Agent 3," he said.
"What is it Captain?" she asked.
"Let's be mindful, we don't know anything about this place or this Kamabo company. That gal has been a little too helpful, we don't know what she could be planning. If you remember, she didn't want us finding this place," said Cuttlefish leery.
"I know, (sigh) I just hope that's not what she's doing. I say we give her some slack...for now until we figure out what's going on," said Cassie.
The two of them soon follow Cleo into the directory as the doors closed and locked behind them unsure what they had just walked into putting their faith into the inkling that they rescued and had acted as a guide for them.