Splatoon: Number's Game

Chapter 11

"Hey, Marina! Where you at, girl? We got company." Pearl called out as she led Alex and 8 into the Off The Hook hangout space. Alex closed the door behind them, looking around curiously.

"I've never been on the inside of this room before. It feels like a recording space." Alex observed as he looked around.

"Well, it does double as one," Marina said, standing up as they entered the room and smiling politely. "I'm Marina. And who might you be?" She asked.

"Marina, this is the dude that I told you about. The one that kept splatting me at the splatfest!" Marina said, pointing at Alex before opening up a mini-fridge to grab drinks.

"You get splatted a lot, Pearl, that doesn't help me a whole lot." Marina said, mildly teasing her.

"The splatfest guy, Splatocalypse, remember?" Pearl specified, passing soda cans out to everyone.

"Mm, vaguely?" Marina hummed, trying to remember the story.

"I'm Alex," Alex interrupted finally, reaching out to shake hands with Marina. "Big fan of you guys. I'm a friend of 8. I've been taking care of her these past few days."

"Oh wow! Well, glad to hear that she's being taken care of. Ever since we met her, I've taken to 8 like a little sister. It's nice to meet you, Alex. Pearl's apparently told me a lot about you." Marina said with a giggle.

"Yeah, I did, but you don't listen." Pearl scoffed, hopping back in her chair and kicking her legs up over the armrest.

"Pearl told me that, um, the both of you- Actually, all three of you had a hand in the appearance of the statue thing that appeared off the coast?" Alex inquired. Marina nodded.

"Yes, we did. You know about that?"

"I do. Could we, uh, sit down and talk about it for a bit? It could be important." Alex requested, pulling a chair up for himself. Marina did the same, and 8 sat down in Pearl's regular chair.

"This guy was saying he saw octolings crawling all over the wreckage." Pearl said before sipping her drink.

"What kind of octolings? Like me and 8 or…the other kind?" Marina asked slowly.

"The other kind, unfortunately. I saw it myself, it looked like they were-they were taking pieces off of it, looking for things to salvage." Alex explained what he saw.

"Well, of course, octolings are always looking for ways to get a leg up on inkling-kind. Artifacts and weapons from generations ago were actually far more deadly than what we use now." Marina said matter-of-factly.

"Right, yes, and…you would know that because…?" Alex asked slowly, finding himself at a loss for words. He didn't expect Marina to be so knowledgeable about this.

"Well, I have…history with the rogue octolings and their protocols. I used to be one before…" Marina admitted but trailed off at the end.

"I see. I didn't know. But it makes sense why you'd understand the gravity of what it is that I'm telling you. Is there anything else you can tell me?" Alex asked.

"Well, I would need more information. I-I'd have to take a look at the wreckage, see what they could even think of taking. Then I could put together possibilities." Marina thought.

"Woah, Marina, your tone is really scaring me right now. Is this really that serious?" Pearl asked, sitting up and taking another sip of her soda.

"It very well could be. Tell me, Alex, what were you doing out off the coast watching octolings?" Marina inquired.

"I'm part of a team that keeps watch over Inkopolis, evaluating threats and keeping an eye on them. When things get heavier, we step in. The last time DJ Octavio reared his ugly head, I was the guy that put him down." Alex explained.

"Woah, it's like that, huh?" Pearl's eyes widened a bit. Similarly, 8 looked at him with astonishment. Marina swallowed and nodded.

"I see. Well, if that's the case, then you're probably the guy I should share my information with when I gather it." Marina decided.

"Yes, well, my team and I can help get you out there soon as you can, and we can take it from there. Sound good?" Alex offered.

"Yeah. Can I get your number? We can stay in touch." Marina requested.

"Is it alright if I come along with ya'll? Seems like it should be all hands on deck." Pearl asked.

"Yeah, I suppose that's fine. I'll make some calls, we'll get things in the work. I really appreciate the both of you helping out. We've been really stumped on what we should do next." Alex admitted.

"Well, hopefully we can find something soon. For the sake of all the inklings and free octolings here." Marina said seriously. Alex's gaze drifted to 8.

"What about you, 8? Are you comfortable helping out too? If not, I can talk to 3, and you can stay with her until everything blows over." Alex offered.

8 thought over this offer for a little bit, looking down at the ground. She rubbed her hands together for a few seconds then looked at Alex and shook her head with a determined expression.

"No? You wanna help out?" Alex asked.

8 nodded her head. Alex nodded in return and took in a breath.

"Okay. Well, I'm going to make some calls, I'll get your number, and we'll see what we can do." Alex said, beginning to stand up and exit the room.

"Got it. Thank you, Alex, for taking care of 8 and for bringing us in. It's, uh, as you can imagine, pretty personal for me that I get to be more help." Marina said sincerely.

"Yeah man, this is for the city. We got your back." Pearl added.

Alex nodded and managed a quick smile, not saying anything as he ducked out of the room to make a phone call to Marie. 8 rubbed her hands together again anxiously, looking at Pearl and Marina. She could only hope that things didn't turn out as serious as they were sounding…