Hey guys! This is the second installment of my Octo Integration fanfic. There are slight trauma flashbacks in this section, so if you're easily triggered, proceed with caution. Please review! Thanks for reading!
Ali turns and aims the charger, lining up the mutant salmonoids she squints and pulls the trigger. Four chums turn to goo before her eyes. From her left she hears Keaton let out a "Booyah!" Their other two teammates ring out, joining in the cheers. Smiling sheepishly she quietly whispers "Booyah..." Keaton smiles widely and Ali realizes that his smile puts one on her own face. They had exchanged numbers before starting their shift.
Looking behind him she raises her charger and lets out a powerful stream of ink, stopping a scrapper just feet behind Keaton. He turns around, surprised, and rubs the back of his head, embarrassed. He twirls his dualies in his hand and runs to destroy the scrapper. Shaking her head she calls out to her teammates "This way!" From two different directions comes backup. Ali scans the area, and takes a moment to look at the strange getup she's dressed in. The work uniform consists of rubber overalls, boots, gloves and a protective cap. It's nothing like the work uniforms back in Octo Valley. Ali sinks into deep thought, remembering lap dances and dark smokey nights. Work for female octolings was limited. "AH-!"
A chum slams a pan into her knees and she swims back a few feet to recover. Aiming and splatting the chum she realizes her teammates have moved forward a few yards and are tackling a steelhead. Bringing the gun up she aims and steadies herself. Counting down to herself she pulls the trigger. The steelhead splats and her team members look back, confused and then smile gratefully. Thinking about how great it is to be a tank she walks over to them. Ali grabs one of the golden eggs and swims it back to the egg basket.
Wave three is about to start, and off the bat they get a boss salmonoid alert. Looking around, Ali searches for the signs of the mutants. She'd aced the training sessions, all the while Keaton had watched from the boat, making sure she didn't get into trouble (or so he'd said.) Ali catches sight of a bobbing red beacon coming straight at her. "This way! This way!" She beckons as she swims frantically.
There's something about Maws that freak her out. The thought of being swallowed just makes her skin crawl. Ink sprays from three different directions as her team pelts the salmonoid. The beast sinks back into the murky green ink and heads towards her again. Panicking, Ali swims towards the shoreline. The maws jumps up just behind her and her team members fire at it again, finally turning the slimy fish into goo. They scramble for the eggs, and rush back to the basket. Keaton, with a golden egg on his back walks over to her and gives her a look that asks "Are you okay?" Ali just nods her head. Keaton's eyes widen and he whips up his dualies, shooting behind her with precision.
He splats a whole school of salmonoids before they even reach land. Ali watches wit awe as he takes out cohocks and chum with ease. He spins one of the hand guns in his hand and blows on it comically. She giggles, and walks past him to rejoin the group. They're shooting at the back of a steel eel, and holding their own. The egg quota is already met, so all that's left is to survive the time limit. Ali looks back at the golden eggs, and then raises her eyes to the shimmering sunset. Keaton waves at her "This way!" His skin looks like milk chocolate under the sun's waning rays. She blinks away her stare and runs towards the action.
"THAT'S THE LAST OF THEM, BACK TO THE BOAT!"
Back on the boat, the crew is shedding their uniforms and donning their fresh threads. Ali leans on the ledge at the back of the ship, watching the stars as they head back to shore. They look like cigarettes against a backdrop, she thinks to herself. A dying light streaks across the night sky and she gasps as it fades out. "Make a wish." Comes a voice from behind her. She turns around quickly and sees Keaton looking at her shyly with his hands in his pockets. "Make... a wish? On a dying star?" He walks up next to her and folds his arms on the ledge, looking up. "You've never heard of that? My mom told me that when I was just a little squid." Ali looks away "I was bred for the army. I never knew my mother or father." Keaton looks over, shame written across his face "Oh, I'm sorry-" "Don't be. You wouldn't have known." She looks into the moving water, fighting the urge to jump in from embarrassment.
Keaton reaches over and takes her hand "With skills like yours, it doesn't surprise me that you've seen your share of war." She looks up and meets his gaze. "I think you're the most kickass girl I've ever met. It doesn't matter how you came to be, I'm just glad you're here." He leans in and Ali blinks in shock and pulls back, almost falling over the side of the boat. "Woah, um, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-" "No, no I just, I don't know." Ali covers her face with her hands and runs across the boat, thankful that they had just hit land.
Face planting on her bed Ali lets out a muffled scream. Why did she do that? She was having so much fun with him. He's strong, and cute and so nice. She hadn't been kissed since... since she worked back in Octo Valley. Flashes of memory flit through her brain and she grits her teeth. Biting the pillow the lets the memories roll. Smoke filled rooms full of Octo girls dancing for various octarian creatures, nights spent in stranger's beds, and meaningless kisses. Ali sits up and wipes at the tears that had appeared on her cheeks. Her octo phone buzzes on her nightstand and she reaches for it. Only Pearl, Marina, Cap'n and Keaton had her number so far.
It was Keaton. The text reads "Hey, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. I really hope we can still battle together." Ali sniffs and types back "I'm sorry too, I overreacted. I'd really like it if we could keep working together." She sends the message and lays back on the soft bed. Her thumbs hover over the keyboard as she debates on whether or not to send the next message. Her fingers fly and she sends the message. She tosses her phone on the bed and waits.
There's a knocking on the door and Ali jumps up. Crossing the dark room she smooths her skirt and walks slowly to the door. Taking a deep breath she opens it and looks into Keaton's eyes, "Hey."
Why'd Ali call Keaton over so late at night? Hmm? Tune in next time to see. I appreciate all reviews! Thank you for reading!