February 14th, 2020 -
Sunlight engulfs the city streets. The snow has finally melted, and the temperature is steadily rising. Inkopolis Square emits a serene atmosphere.
Was it all a bad dream? Was any of that nightmare real, or was it another forged simulation? At this point, you couldn't tell the difference between what was real and what was fake.
Callie enters your frame of vision, "What's wrong, you look a little under the weather." She caresses your forehead, attempting to determine your temperature. "You seem warm. You could be coming down with a fever," She evaluates.
The truth is, you had a horrible gut feeling about today. You overheard a plan for a revolution. On Friday at 12 pm, the world will suffer the wrath of the Sharks.
You timidly check your phone. It's 11:59, one minute left.
"Why are you so fidgety too, are you nervous about something," Callie queries.
You remain silent, unable to formulate a proper sentence. Callie takes a moment to reflect, "Agent 4, these past couple months have been the greatest time of my life, and...
I just wanted you to know that."
Suddenly, a massive explosion rings throughout the city, shattering glass and decimating buildings. The monsoon of smoke engulfs Callie in one fell swoop.
You shoot out of the hospital bed and grasp onto the support beams. You feel limp and numb like your stomach is tied in multiple knots. You clench your throat and release a monstrous cough. At this moment, one conclusion is made apparent. The fact that you felt your throat. The fact that you could even feel the pain bellowing from your esophagus proves an undeniable truth. This world wasn't a dream; this is the reality you live in. You live in the apocalypse.
You lift yourself off of the mattress and shuffle your body towards the cabinet. You frantically rummage through the contents of each compartment. A hefty orange handbook lies behind latex gloves and prescription bottles. You proceed to examine the manual's cover.
Grizzco Employee Handbook. Written by Captain Cuttlefish.
You flip to the first page.
In memory of a good friend, James B Cooper.
What? That doesn't make any sense. Who the hell is C then? You furiously scour the pages of the paperback. However, your investigation is interrupted when a striking title catches your attention.
Chapter 12 VR -
VR is making headway in the technological scene. VR offers limitless possibilities and extraordinary potential for the future. Our cognition is our greatest weapon in the fight for humanity; we must use it to its full ability. Scientific breakthroughs long-forgotten could be excavated and repurposed for new usage.
You skip a couple of wordy paragraphs, searching for the symptoms and treatment section.
Any staff members must recognize the caveats to the VR system. In the event the machine is mistreated, or abused a subject can develop a whole slew of problems. Common side-effects may include hallucinations, Insomnia, and schizophrenic tendencies.
Also, participants in the project must sign a health and safety document to join the mission. However, we've noticed that most testers don't read the fine print. The ability to read has become quite a hot commodity in the apocalypse, and some can be easily persuaded by their loved ones to comply with their duties.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
If, at any point, the subject is bombarded by a surge of static noise, please postpone the procedure. The vassal is in grave danger of losing their-
Suddenly you hear the patter of footsteps rounding the hallway. You rip the remaining pages out and scurry to the bed.
Pearl opens the door and turns on the lights. "Hey, you're awake. You've been out for a while; how was your rest...
Did that sound professional enough? Marina's been scolding me about exercising proper etiquette. Ugh, It's such a drag. I can't wait for a spot in the nursery department to open up. I'm sick of-"
Pearl notices a teared up book in the corner of the room. Judging by her expression, you can see her brain fitting the puzzle pieces together. Her mind rotates like a pair of gears as she assembles the truth. Pearl grins; she realizes you were looking for answers too.
"I heard you mention something about a confidential Shark organization," Pearl notes. "I'd be willing to entertain your claim if you accept my request," She comments.
• You raise an eyebrow at her intriguing proposition.
"All you have to do is follow me," She says as she extends her palm.
You take a second to respond, calculating your next move...
If you had any hope of uncovering the truth, you had to take any opportunities offered to you.
You turn to Pearl and grasp her hand firmly. "Okay, let's go then," She says, hoisting you out of the hospital bed. She then directs you down a dark hallway, illuminated by blue LED lights.
You draw the parchments from your pocket. It's too dark to read the captain's message.
Pearl unveils a walkie-talkie from her skirt, "Marina, report to the exit door immediately. Agent 4 is ready." She hangs up the receiver and continues dashing through the hall.
Pearl detects a heavy trotting of footsteps. "Wait stop," She says, halting your progression. The two of you hide in a small alcove connected to the neon passageway. The guards patrolling the corridor pass you, oblivious to your presence. Once the coast is clear, you follow Pearl around the bend. Marina waits idly by a giant pair of steel doors. Pearl swipes a stolen authentication card by the card reader. A robotic voice chimes in, "Fingerprint verification required." Peal tries inputting her own. "Incorrect, ID unauthorized," The voice buzzes. "Damn, I knew she would do this," Pearl groans.
"What are we going to do now," Marina worries.
Pearl removes a piece of tape from her pouch and presses it against the scanner.
"How and when did you get that?" Marina scolds.
"Let's just say, someone touches their coffee too much," Pearl jokingly replies.
"That doesn't answer my questi-"
"Just open the friggin door," Pearl blurts out.
A green light flashes, and the door is unlocked. They both spin both the vault handle and force open the gate.
Beyond the metallic door, your worst nightmare is fully realized — Inkopolis Square is no longer a harmonious and tranquil environment. Instead, it takes the shape of a decayed and decrepit habitat. The sky is clouded in thick brown smog, and the streets mimic a barren wasteland. The world you were sheltered from is finally shown in all its putrid glory.
Marina leads you through the shopping district. Graffiti and trash bags cover every square inch of the road. Marina stops at a broken phone booth tucked in the alley. Two wanted posters are attached to the sides of the glass.
"If you're wondering why we're here, allow me to provide insight on the situation," Marina addresses. "Pearl and I gather data from the missing persons reports, mostly phone numbers, and dial them up here. Unfortunately, Grizzco cell service doesn't extend beyond the walls of the building. If we have any chance of finding the others, it has to be out here," Marina clarifies.
• You ask if Marie knew about this.
"No, this is just between Pearl and me. I guess that makes you third to know."
• You're intrigued if they've received any word back from the captured victims.
"We haven't gotten any bites so far, but I feel like we're getting close," Marina illustrates.
As pearl dials the numbers from the list, you analyze the wanted posters plastered on the box. The signs publicize two photographs, one of a brownish monster and the other of a massive shadowy figure. Marina notifies you of the details, "They're called the SHARKS -
Shifty
Harpoon-wielding
Absolutely
Repulsive
Kriminals
Yeah, they're not the brightest fish in the sea. However, they make up for their lack of intellect in their sheer numbers. Their skillful soldiers, paired with their incredible artillery, could combat any adversary they come across.
Those barbarians kidnapped some of our closest comrades and companions. They're the reason why we're here. They're the cause of all of this madness." Marina dolefully reveals.
Pearl leaves the glass container with a defeated look. "Nothing again," Marina questions.
"Yep, nothing," Pearl repeats dejectedly.
"What were you guys talking about?" Pearl inquires.
"He wanted to know the specifics of the fiendish Shark gang," Marina states.
"You see that brown creature with the hammer-shaped skull Agent 4. Yeah, he goes by the name: Fang. He's the toughest crook on the street and oversees an entire gang of ugly mobsters," Pearl informs.
• You ask about the shadowy figure presented in the adjacent image.
"That's Great White. You don't want to know he's done. I've had so many nightmares hearing about the terrible crimes he's committed," Marina vocalizes.
"Legend has it, he paralyzes his victims with his bloodshot eyes and proceeds to shred them to bits with his razor blade teeth," Pearl scarily narrates.
"Stop Pearl. I want to be able to sleep tonight. We have plenty of appointments scheduled for tomorrow, and I can't be bogged down by your silly ghost stories," Marina scrutinizes.
"Ugh, you sound just like Marie. She was so annoying today. I'm happy we got out of there when we did," Pearl sighs in relief.
"Honestly, what do you expect when you push her buttons," Marina fires back.
"I wasn't trying to push her buttons; I wanted to get to the bottom of the truth. Don't her actions seem at all suspicious to you?" Pearl debates.
"You have to be less hard on her Pearl. She's going through the loss of a close family member and friend. She's understandably is upset about the whole ordeal. What if you lost me, Pearl? I'm sure you be going through precisely what Marie's experiencing." Marina conveys.
"Hmph, I guess I see your point, but that doesn't clear her of suspicion. I'm not trying to belittle her situation, but she has to stop concealing information from us. In fact, I'm switching my theory, Marie is now candidate number one for C," Pearl speculates.
Marina scratches her head, "Hmmm, I still can't decide between Cooper or Cuttlefish."
"C is totally Marie... or Callie... or perhaps both?" Pearl theorizes.
• You can't help but release a little chuckle after hearing Pearl's latest hypothesis.
"Wow, Marie's right, you do have a thick brim tinfoil hat," Marina replies after seeing you laugh.
"Well, I wouldn't want the Aliens to melt my brains," Pearl thoughtfully responds to you and Marina.
"Oh Cod, she's serious," Marina gasps.
"Okay, jokes aside. You seriously can't deny Marie's questionable attitude," Pearl mutters.
"Hmmm, I guess you could say Marie's not off the hook," Marina remarks.
• You and Pearl stare at Marina with a blank expression.
"Oh, come on guys, I'm just trying to lighten the mood."
——————————————————
"Oh, just look at them. Having a rousing old time, aren't they? I'll give them a rousing old time when I tear their limbs apart."
"Boss calm down. We need to keep a low profile, remember."
"I don't remember taking orders from the likes of you. I'm in charge here, and those three
are lookin mighty tasty."