Okay, I have to point it out: The Coronavirus. It's just that. A virus. Not the bloody apocalypse. Seriously, people, calm down. It could be a hell of a lot worse.

Chapter Seven

Defending the Reactor

(Octo Canyon, Commander Traeger's office)

Julia Traeger sat at her desk, and looked through the reports of their encounter with the mechanized suits. Thus far, they'd encountered two of them, and Julia had no doubt that there were more. The first suit had been armed with flamethrowers, making it very dangerous. The second one had weapons that Julia had never heard of before. They seemed to fire beams of energy that knocked a soldier's weapon out of her hands. As she thought this over, a knock came at her door. "Come in."

Rosaline entered. "Commander, we've found what appears to be a ship about half a kilometer from Octo Canyon on the western border." Julia faced her, shocked. "Inkling?" Rosaline shook her head. "I don't think so, ma'am. We scanned it and didn't detect any Zapfish aboard." The Commander contemplated, and said, "Prepare a boarding party. We'll search the ship for anything we can use." Rosaline saluted. "Yes, ma'am." She left to carry out her orders.

(Kalos Facility)

Shawn peeked out from under the air carrier in the launch bay. Getting out from under it, he said, "That should do it. Try it." Matrix engaged the air carrier's lift engines, and the carrier slowly rose into the air, and Shawn grinned. "That takes care of that. What's the power status?" Matrix replied, "Power levels are now at 60%, sir." Shawn nodded. "How soon until we can use the long-range sensors?" The robot replied, "We must reach 80% before we will be able to use them, sir." Shawn nodded in understanding.

Just then, the proximity alert went off. "Sir, three small vessels are approaching the Kalos Facility. The life signs aboard are consistent with Octolings." Shawn sighed. "Probably detected the Matrix Reactor." He drew a plasma pistol, and set it to stun. "Have a plasma rifle ready in the reactor room." Matrix replied, "Yes, sir." With his pistol, Shawn ran to the reactor room, and took position between the door and the reactor. The rifle was lowered down to him, and he strapped it to his back, setting up a charging stand for his weapon charges, and waited.

(Octarian boarding ships, inbound to unidentified ship)

Julia faced her troops. "We're going to board the ship, and find anything we can use." Rosaline spoke up. "Ma'am, we're detecting a massive power reading. Much higher than any Zapfish." Julia thought that over. "Where is the source?" Rosaline showed her. "On one of the decks under the ocean level." Julia grimaced. "Well placed. If this ship has sustained any damage, we may not be able to get to it." Facing her troops, she said, "We'll search as far as we can, but if we can't get to the power source, we'll leave the ship, and monitor it, making sure that Inklings cannot board it.

The three boarding ships docked on the starboard side, and Julia noticed writing on the side of the ship, in a language she had only seen once before. "It's a human ship. That explains it." They climbed onto the deck, and made their way to the nearest door, weapons ready. Opening the door, Julia motioned, and two troops moved forward, and peeked in, aiming their weapons. "Ma'am, it doesn't look like the lights are active on this deck. We'll have to use searchlights." Julia nodded. "Proceed." Turning on their lights, they entered, beginning their search.

(Reactor room)

Shawn looked down the sights of his plasma pistol, watching the door, the only way into the reactor room. He remained silent for a moment, before asking, "Matrix, did they board?" Matrix replied, "Yes, sir. They're currently on Deck 4, which has no active lights." Shawn sighed. "How soon until they reach the door for the reactor room?" The robot replied, "At their current pace, I estimate ten minutes at the most." Shawn nodded. "Keep me posted." Wednesday spoke up. "Boss, there are thirteen Octolings." Shawn simply smirked. "They use ink weapons, Wednesday. I can take them."

(Octarian boarding party)

Julia aimed her Octo Shot forward, and nodded to Rosaline. Rosaline gestured forward, and took her squad forward, taking a peek ahead. "Ma'am, we've found what looks like a lift." Julia nodded. "We'll use it. Which deck is the power source on?" Rosaline faced her. "Deck 14, ma'am." Julia nodded. "Once we're all inside the lift, hit the button." Rosaline nodded. "Yes, ma'am." Once they were in the lift, Rosaline jumped as a voice said in their language, "Level, please." Rosaline, surprised, said, "Um, Deck 14?" The lift began to move, and Rosaline sighed in relief.

(Reactor room)

Matrix spoke up. "Sir, they've accessed a lift." Shawn sighed. "Well, that changes my plans." He faced the door again, and aimed his pistol. "How soon?" Matrix replied, "Two minutes." He aimed at the door, and waited. "Matrix, arm a force wall behind me. If I do go down, however unlikely, they cannot be allowed to access the reactor." Matrix replied, "Yes, sir." Refocusing at the door, Shawn waited, his weapon armed and ready. "Come at me. I'm ready." The door opened, and an Octoling soldier peeked in. Shawn fired a warning shot. The Octoling backed off.

(Octarian boarding party)

The soldier faced Julia. "There's someone in there, armed." Julia faced her. "What type of weapon?" The soldier replied, "I don't know. It didn't shoot ink." Julia sighed. "Did you at least see what it looks like?" She shook her head. "They fired before I could see." Julia grimaced. "We have to get in there. Everyone, run in there as fast as you can. Some of us at least might make it." They ran through, dodging several shots, and taking cover. Three Octolings had been hit, and lay on the deck, unconscious. Julia had determined that they were in no danger of dying.

Shawn activated his translator and said, "You've boarded this vessel without prior approval, an act of aggression. Leave now, and I will not pursue." Julia replied, "That power source can be used by my people." He replied, "I will not allow the technology of this Facility to be used to harm innocent people." Julia replied, "Among Inklings, there are no innocents." The young captain replied, "That's where you're wrong. I've been analyzing them. They're just kids playing around. They don't even know about your people. Therefore, they cannot be held responsible for the actions of the past."

Julia sighed. "Perhaps we can reach an arrangement." The human replied, "There will be no arrangement. You're trying to take something that doesn't belong to you. Get out of this Facility, or I'll stun all of you and leave you on the beach near the settlement. Either way, I win." Julia sighed. The human had made up his mind, clearly. She faced her troops, and said, "Return to the boats. Take the others with you. I'll join you shortly." They nodded, picked up their unconscious comrades, and left. Julia faced the human. "It was you, wasn't it?" Shawn nodded.

Julia continued. "Your concern is understandable. But I swear that we are only doing what is best for our people." Shawn's reply caught her by surprise. "Are you sure about that? Fighting a meaningless war?" She faced him, shocked. "You know of the Great Turf War?" He nodded. "Your computer firewalls could use some upgrading. I was able to access your files easily. Before I teach you how to use power without Zapfish, you must call off all of your attacks, and pursue peace with Inkopolis. The same goes for them. This fighting must end." Juila left, very concerned.

A/N

And this is now updated after months.