Author's Note: The purple they use here is sourced from OE, the default color Agent 8 has in the trailer, and the primary color you use when taking on the tests. I dunno exactly how an inside of a hotel like New Albacore works, other than the general stuff, so far expect guesstimates. And with that, enjoy.
The ferry, named "Ink & Oceans", approached the harbor soon enough, after hours traversing West Leviathan Sea. All of the NSS were preparing themselves for the raid, while Sheldon assisted Jelio. Soon, Albacore Port was in sight, signalling the near-end of the cruise. Jelio called out to his passengers as soon as he started the docking.
"We are now docking up laddies! Better get a move on!", the jelly captain called out. All moved to the port side of the ferry, Agent 3 on the furthest side, followed by Marie and Callie, with Agent 4 & 5 rounding off the line. All Agents were already holding on to their respective weapons, Marie with the Hero Charger 1, Callie with her modified Hero Roller 1, Agent 3 with the Hero Charger 2, Agent 4 with the Hero Shot 2, and Agent 5 is on Hero Roller 2. Soon, the craft weighed anchor, indicating the end of their cruise. Sheldon then set up a Respawn Pad in the rear part of the deck, before carrying the other ones and following the Agents, who were already making their way to the port.
One by one, the Agents set foot on the estuary of Albacore Port, a modest port, showing signs of development over the recent times, with the advent of New Albacore Hotel, which made the port busier than ever. Shannon & Evan were first off the boat, followed by Marie & Callie, while Jesse & Sheldon bringing up the rear, heaving some equipment.
"May I help, weaponsmith?", politely asked the Octoling Agent.
"No thank you, Agent!" squeaked Sheldon.
"How about mine instead Five?", said Jesse in her usual dead tone.
"I would be honored, Three.", she said, carrying a respawn pad.
Meanwhile, as expected, Callie & Evan were having a moment to themselves, with Marie watching closely, sniggering a little as she watched.
"Were you hurt, Evan?", Callie asked, inspecting Evan's cyan bruises on his face.
"I'm fine Cal, I promise.", Evan responded. "I suffered worse, trying to get to you, remember?", he added.
"Don't remind me.", she replied. "Also just because you can take it, doesn't mean you have to all the time, Evan.", she said, clasping his hand in hers. Shannon was a little befuddled, but soon got a drift of what was going on, and elected to say nothing.
The party trundled on off the estuary and straight into the port premises. Jelio & Sheldon were having a talk behind the party, discussing his services.
"Not another soul, I assume, Sheldon?", said Jelio with a serious face.
"Definitely, Jelio.", Sheldon replied. "Not a word of what you saw, Jelio." he urged.
"Don't worry, I don't get to that much.", Jelio said dismissively. "Maybe I should formally get in on your little Splatoon eh, Sheldon?", he asked in half-jest.
"I would consult that with the Cap.", he replied, as they walked on.
"So, this is where we separate ways, yes?", he asked Sheldon, as they approached the port exits.
"I'm afraid it is, Jelio. Once again, I greatly thank you for the assistance!", he said, doing a salute. After the NSS group left the exits, he then headed back to his ship, where he would be no doubt waiting for Sheldon's return. The group then walked up into a side alley to discuss the battle plan over before they attack New Albacore Hotel.
"Alright team, one more go over." she beckoned her co-Agents. "Callie & Shannon on front-line duty, Evan on general fire support, me & Jesse on long range." she enumerated.
"Sounds about it, Two." said Callie.
"How do we get part the guards though...", Jesse asked. "The cops that is.", she added.
"INKPD only barricades the main entrances. There are other ways to get inside.", Marie smiled, a good sign for the planning process. "Let's see... Up this alley here, right past this building...there, right on the employee openings.", Marie said.
"Probably just a short walk then.", Jesse surmised. "Come on, much innocents await us.", she beckoned the Splatoon. They walked along a network of side streets, where a few people at best would notice them, and probably dismiss them as replicas. Soon, they were near the employee entry/exit, which were manned by a quartet of Sanitized on Octo Shots.
"Alright, time to say hello.", said Marie, lining up a shot, aiming for the Sanitized on the outer left.
"Revenge.", said Jesse, also lining up a shot. Both let loose at the same time, splatting the targets, and their companions soon after. The team then rushed inside, Sheldon then setting down a Respawn Pad right near the lobby. Sheldon then heaved up his laptop bag, finally free of his burden.
"We can't risk a vulnerable mission control, so here's some taxi money.", Callie gave the crab some bills. "Hang out on Ink & Oceans. And keep an eye on the sitrep.", she instructed. "Don't forget the canned specials!" she called out.
"Aye-aye, Agent One!", he saluted, and soon was off. Now, only the five Agents were left, and they began the sweep of the immediate area, searching for captives & looking out for Sanitized. Marie was accompanied by Callie, with both weapons at the ready. Evan was in the middle, looking out for sideswipes, while Jesse & Shannon took up the rear, distributing the weapons evenly.
The most opposition so far was sparse, a singular shot from either Marie or Jesse silenced them. Without much opposition, they made their way to the kitchens, where disarranged cookware & ingredients were strewn over, most definitely when the Sanitized struck. The stoves were turned off, oddly enough. As they approached the fridge, triplets of Sanitized popped up from the strange ink that was all over the place that covered parts of the containers.
Shannon & Callie both hoisted their Rollers, readying a vertical attack. Evan was busy gunning down some opposition, which was a little hard to do in a confined space such as a kitchen. Ink sprayed on the kitchen grounds, on the appliances, on the counter. A battle was being waged in the kitchen.
Marie took the stove complex as her spot, while Jesse opted for the nearest exit to block, putting her in a position to block enemy reinforcements. Callie & Shannon made short work of the Sanitized ambush, which were armed with Octo-Shots & Octobrushes. Evan was on distraction duty, picking off anyone who would try to double team either Callie or Shannon.
They then clear the kitchen of hostiles, proceeding onto the dining area, where the cooking staff & some patrons are held hostage by Sanitized. They immediately sprung to action upon sighting the Squidbeak, Jesse opening up with a snipe.
"Remember me, ya squits!?", Jesse loudly called them out.
"Squidbeak, attack! And take care of the hostages!", Marie beckoned the Splatoon. Evan was playing some run & gun with some Dualie & Octo-Shot users, while Callie & Shannon ambushed them. Jesse & Marie were engaging some Octo-Snipers, but proved no match, making short work of them. Suddenly, Sanitized Octo-troopers flooded the room, which pre-occupied the Agents. Four then hurled a Splat Bomb at his "dance partner" before he shifted attention to the tentacle mooks, splatting the Octoling.
Twintacles were the order of the day for this invasion, being more tougher than the usual Octo-troopers. Marie & Jesse picked off the troopers from the sides, while Callie & Shannon engaged the bulk of them with the Rollers. Evan meanwhile, was demonstrating his speed, rolling into good positions to gun down the troopers attempting to flank either Callie or Shannon.
"Heh, damn I'm good.", said Evan, gun in one hand after performing another trick.
"Showboat.", scoffed Jesse. Suddenly, something went "blam" behind Evan. "You're welcome.", she said to Evan, who chuckled. Evan then parkoured onto the counters where an Octo-Sniper was training it's sights on the female Inkling. Evan gunned it down, suddenly emerging off the purple ink. The surprised Octarian was completely caught off-guard, and was duly put down.
Callie meanwhile, was sloshing ink all over the tables, electing to use now her horizontal flick to crush the Sanitized Octarians. Shannon meanwhile, was alternating between her vertical flick and tossing a Splat Bomb, making her an unpredictable target for the troopers.
"Easy peasy! Hew!", said Callie. "Maybe I should take up an action movie!", she joked.
"Behind you, Agent One! ", said Shannon, as she readied a vertical flick to knock out the Dualie user that just rolled within range, receiving the full brunt of Shannon's wrath.
"Oof, thanks Five.", Callie said sheepishly, as she rolled off to search for more enemies. Octoling Chargers entered the scene, as well as six Octo-shot wielders. This time, Evan gunned for the snipers, while Jesse and Marie took care of flankers for Callie & Shannon, who was once again front-line duty, being the Rollers. Everything flew furiously: shots, bombs, and even some disturbed chairs, seeing as they were in the buffet area.
"Gyaaaah!", Five yelled as she prepared another vertical flick aimed at an Octoling, who barely dodged. "Be splat, constructs!", she snarled, flicking horizontally this time, splashing the enemy in the face. She then swam up behind her enemy and swung her Roller to her opponent's torso, instantly splatting them.
"Major prejudice there, Five." Callie remarked.
"They, were the instruments of my torment." Shannon said, as she moved on to defend a gaggle of hostages, who were guarded by two Blasters. The explosive globs didn't faze the Octoling, anger driving her to deal with them. "Be free of the suffering, my former brethren.", she gritted out, as she tossed a surprise Splat Bomb, catching them unawares, and exploding in point blank range, splatting the enemy rather violently.
"Talk about going with a bang.", Jesse remarked, as she splatted another Octo-sniper.
Evan meanwhile, was dancing gracefully between the two hostile laser sights set on him, dodging the lethal steam of Sanitized ink. He sprayed ink an ample distance before him, squidding down when the shot releases. Marie finished off the last of the shooter enemies, which was engaging Shannon.
"That was a warm welcome that for sure.", remarked Marie.
"That should be it for this area.", Evan scanned, as he splatted the last of the Octoling opposition on the chargers. "I have dealt with that squirt all the damn time in Ranked.", he grumbled, as set loose the hostages.
"I'll guide the hostages out!", called out Shannon.
"Stay safe Five, ya hear?", called up Marie. She nodded, then beckoned the captives to follow her the same way they came in. She ran with them, making sure to keep pace while keeping an eye on anyone who can go after the freed captives.
Callie then spent the downtime waiting for Five rolling ink around the buffet hall, occasionally squid flopping when refilling ink. Marie meanwhile was inspecting her Hero Charger 1, while Jesse was on lookout for more ambushes. Evan meanwhile, was resting on a table in squid form, lazily spinning around. They had taken position at the outer parts of the hall, while waiting for Five to escort the civilians out.
Their rest was cut short when a quartet of Elites dropped a few foot in front of them. This squad had two Blasters with them, a Slosher, and another on Dualies.
"Alright, pick your dance partner now!", called out Marie, as another fight ensued. Both she & Jesse have their sights already trained on the two Blasters, Jesse letting out an Autobomb to engage. Evan & Callie meanwhile, were more than a match for the Dualie & Slosher Elite, using their techniques to outmaneuver their foes. The Blasters slightly threatened the Charger users Marie & Jesse, but it was naught, as the range favored the Inklings.
A few more missed snipes and both Blasters exploded in a burst of purple. Callie meanwhile, ambushed a Dualie user, slamming her Roller across the startled Octoling's face. Evan meanwhile, finished off his opponent with a Splat Bomb where she was moving to, changing direction a moment too late. Calm set in once again as they dispatched of the ambush party.
Soon, Shannon came back to the party rolling her Roller full tilt, stopping behind the table where Callie sat, lifting up her Roller.
"The civilians are safe now, Agents.", she reported. "I have instructed them to take themselves to the local police or hospital in case of injuries.", Shannon added. "I also instructed them not to publicise any of what they saw.", she finished.
"Excellent work, Five.", said Callie cheerily. "For a cephalopod who had to fight her way out of the subway alone AND in heels, you are doing alright, Five.", she applauded the Octoling.
"Where to next?", asked Evan. "There's a lot more ways to go till we get to the top part of this building where my friends are held up.", he reminded his teammates, worry slightly crossing his face.
"We shall sweep every area of this Hotel for hostiles. Never do a job halfway, Four.", Marie reminded him.
"We'll get to your friends Four. We promise.", Callie said, approaching Evan to pat him, assuagiassuaging his worries which were justified. "We will splat everyone who dare get in the way.", she said to him, determination in her golden eyes.
"Alright Squidbeak, let's move!", said Marie. Callie was in the front rolling the path for the five of them, the others following in squid & octopus form for faster travel. Passing Sanitized were nastily surprised when another Inkling emerged behind the seemingly lone Callie. The group trudged out of the buffet, and into the alleyways outside the coffee shop, where they were "greeted" by several Octo-troopers, including even an Octo-bomber, which the group made short work of, Evan and Shannon taking down the moons while Jesse took down the fat mook that threw bombs.
"Candy-ass squitch.", muttered Evan, after taking down the last trooper with ease.
"No more, friends of TARTAR!", Shannon bellowed.
"Hold it, Five.", warned Jesse. "Aw squit, your 'friends' heard ya, rookie.", said Jesse, hearing battle cries from undoubtedly Sanitized Octolings. Two fireteams had been sent to deal with them, each having a charger, two Octo-shots, and a Slosher. The erstwhile silent lounge came alive with yells & ink flung along the corridor, hitting every surface it can land on furiously.
The battle was a bottleneck; one of the chargers was hiding nicely in the back of the opened coffee shop door, while the shooters & dualies took the frontline. Another was hiding in the stair landing, right on the opposite end. Callie, Shannon and Evan took up a shell formation to protect their snipers, Marie and Jesse.
Jesse was desperately gunning down the Dualie user that was harassing her, resorting to quick shots to avoid getting hit. Evan was quickly getting swarmed by the enemy, opting finally to toss a Splat Bomb which downed two. Callie & Marie were trying to cover for each other, developing a tactic that involved Marie tossing an Autobomb to lure the enemy into Callie, working too well for the enemy. Callie was getting annoyed by the Charger aiming for Marie, so she made an unusual move: she inked the wall diagonally beside the stairs. While Marie was busy aiming at the other enemies on Evan & Jesse's side, the Sanitized Charger user lined up the shot to splat Marie, but was rudely upstaged by Callie's surprise. The ribbon-haired Inkling jumped from squid form from the stairwell wall, emerging with her Roller poised to strike.
"Nobody! Splats my cousin but me!", Callie yelled, as she swung down her Roller swiftly on the hapless Charger's head, knocking her out of commission, her ghost floating out the window. "Such poor excuse for a charger user.", she smirked, as she rolled down the stairway to join Evan & Jesse, who already had dealt with the other charger.
"You call yourself a Charger? Please.", Jesse said, scoffing at the opponent she downed. The two fire teams were dealt with, allowing them to move on. Shannon this time rolled to turf their path, taking the stairs the Callie recently splatted an enemy in. When they both reached the 2nd floor, Jesse and Marie took to inspect both sides for enemies, and so far, the coast was clear.
"I wonder if the elevator still works...", Marie said. "It's gonna be shell if they didn't." she groaned, as the group trudged along the guest rooms, terror audible through every door.
"They must be afraid of the invaders.", Shannon noted. "I can hear their cowering through the doors, fellow Agents." she told them.
"Damn sure they are.", said Evan, looking left & right for a waiting ambush. "Hey, floor directory!", he said, eyeing a brass tablet. "Let's see... Turf War area is all the way at the top floor...at 50." he said, squinting through the directory.
"The elevator be better working.", Jesse mumbled. "Although, someone may attempt a Captain Inkopolis on us there...", she mused, darting left & right for ambushes.
"Floor's real quiet.", Callie observed. "Best bet the squitches are huddled up on the elevators... Not to mention they probably have commanded the CCTV to look for us.", she added.
"You only say this now?", Marie, a little exasperated, told her cousin. She then adjusted some dials on her tank, then aimed her charger at said cameras, leaving a purple obstruction in the lenses. Jesse meanwhile sent out an Autobomb to lure out lurkers.
"All this stuff and they haven't attacked..." , Jesse observed, suspicion apparent in her voice.
Suddenly, a cyan steam whizzed by Jesse, confirming her suspicion.
"Ha.", she commented, readying her Charger. Suddenly, Octo-pods" came charging at the group, making the team tense up.
"Aw squit.", she sighed. "I go after the Charger, you take down these things!" she called out.
"I shall assist you, venerable Agent.", said Shannon.
"This shall be a cinch, kid. Go help Callie & the others." she advised Shannon. "Careful, they blow up when they die!", she called out.
"Will do, Agent Three.", she nodded, proceeding to slam her roller on a group of Octo-torpedos. All of them were taking care not to get too close to the blast the suicide mooks have when splatted, which was difficult given the place.
Evan was using the wall as his evacuation place, jumping to there then squidding as soon as he contacted the wall. Marie was sniping down the stray ones, while Callie took care of the front line, defending Marie.
"Two can play this game!", shouted Evan, as he tossed a Splat Bomb in midair, twirling into squid after he tossed the bomb and inked the other wall, to dodge the snipe from the still-hidden charger. The pods exploded with Evan's bomb, scattering Callie & Marie, dodging the ink blast.
"The pods are gone, but the sniper remains.", Marie commented.
"I'll catch that squitch.", Jesse said, determination lacing her voice, scanning the place for unusual sights, like a red light or something blue. "Perhaps this should do it.", Jesse said, as she tossed an Autobomb. Jesse listened carefully for movement, as the Autobomb exploded.
Unfortunately, dodging the Autobomb revealed the charger user, leaving Jesse to swoop in for the kill with her Charger. She quickly loaded up a shot and let go, faster than the Sanitized could.
"Found you, sneaky.", Jesse smirked.
"You're actually...smiling now?", said Marie.
"Rare event ain't it.", Jesse lampshaded. "But hey, we still on mission.", she reminded.
"Yes. Elevator.", Marie replied, as they all sauntered on to where the elevator was, after defeating the poor excuse of two guards for security. Even the elevator switches wasn't spared apparently, as the top floor, and a few others, were either pulled out, or too gunked with Sanitized ink.
"No unwelcome guests so far...", Callie observed.
"Probably waiting for us when we arrive to whatever level this takes us.", Marie sassed.
"That'll be more likely." Evan said, holding his Hero Shot in one hand. "You an Three should probably be pointing towards the door...", he said.
The elevator ride was tense, despite there no enemies occupying the lift with them. They all expected an ambush when they arrived at the 26th floor, which was the maximum the elevator can go. Their weapons weren't exactly space-savers, thus cramping them. The positions didn't help the matter, but was needed.
When the elevator dinged for their destination, everyone tensed up. As the elevator doors open, a welcoming commitee of Sanitized troops greeted them. Among the army are several Elites heading the "welcoming".
"We are expecting you, New Squidbeak Splatoon.", the Elite said in her digital tone. The five Agents fanned out, ready to meet the heavy firepower they were leveling at them. Both sides tensed to attack, then...
"Attack!", the Elite ordered. Both sides clashed, another inky battle commenced.
Alright, reference time! The name of Jelio's ship is based on another Splat fic I follow, written by EcoWrites, available here on FFN.
The war to reclaim New Albacore Hotel has begun. What more nefarious schemes await our heroes? Had the RFR broadcast their message yet? Can our heroes save the innocent cephalings safely? Find out. Next chapter!