Agent 5 switched out of squid form mid super-jump and landed perfectly yet again behind Agent 4. The team had arrived at the centre of Cephalon HQ, leaving Marie at the Cuttlefish Cabin to mess with the tech. Neon-coloured floating platforms were scattered around the surrounding area, providing transport to the various sections of the sector. The large hole holding the boss kettle where Agent 4 defeated DJ Octavio lay in front of them, existing within the ocean of fushia ink.

Upon entering the area, the Agents' tentacles became green. After a little static, Marie's voice projected from each of the three Hero Headphones.

"Alright, that should keep you guys from splatting each other. Can you hear me?"

"Yep," Agent 4 said, loosening the bronze, upgraded suspensions on her Hero Slosher.

"Crystal clear!" Agent A said, loading her Hero Splatling's bronze tank with green ink.

"Sure can," Agent 5 said, starting up the engine on his Dynamo Roller. He had remodeled his weapon to have the same style as the Hero Roller, with a little help from Agent 4 and Sheldon. He even replaced the engine with a shiny bronze one using the Ammo Knights Enhancifier, giving him a faster fling and roll speed while keeping the power.

"Great," Marie said, tapping some keys on a keyboard. "Are you all ready to infiltrate?"

"Yep, we're ready," Agent 4 said.

"Alright. Take it away."

"Agent 5, you still got the fake squid I gave you?"

"Uh yeah…" he said, pulling out a green squid plushie. "What do you want me to do with it?"

He followed Agents 4 and A onto a turquoise platform, which took them to the boss kettle. Agent 4 walked up to it, resting a foot on the edge.

"As soon as you enter this thing, it starts spiraling downwards and enters a doorway. Beneath us is the battlefield where I fought Octavio, and around that, is the Octarian hideout."

"Normally the tunnel downward would be inaccessible, since you're inside the kettle," Agent A said, moving in closer. "However, I helped build this thing, and I remember that there's one humanoid-sized panel I forgot to place in. Nobody noticed, so I left it. That opening leads to a tunnel above the hideout.

"Agent 5, I want you to shove that fake squid in the kettle. I made it using materials that can pass through grates with enough force. Normally Octavio would be waiting for you down there, but I stole the hypnoshades Callie puts on so she can't help him, and he can't be there." She pulled out the shades and snapped them in half. "As soon as this platform starts spinning, we jump. I'll throw a Grapplink into the opening, and we'll all shoot it to get to the vent."

Agent 4 held a large Grapplink in her left hand, her Slosher in the other. She stood back with Agent A, while Agent 5 approached the kettle.

"There are motion sensors near the bottom, so if any inkling-shaped object passes through, it'll trigger the alarms," Agent 4 warned." That squid will dissolve halfway down, preventing the alarms going off, but the platform will continue down, revealing the sensors. That means we only have one shot at this. Are you ready?"

Agent 5 nodded and stood in front of the boss kettle. He raised his arms with the plushie held between his hands. Agent A put on her Classic Octoling Goggles and charged her Hero Splatling, ready to fire. The squad bent their knees in anticipation.

"Go."

Agent 5 slammed the squid through the grates and stepped back. The circular platform began to spin wildly, carrying the squad with it. Luckily, their boots were made to create massive amounts of friction, so they stayed put on their places on the platform. Their tentacle hair got in the way of their eyes as the platform lowered. After a few seconds of descent and wild spinning later, the panel Agent A spoke of revealed itself.

Agent 4 jumped off the platform, aimed and threw the Grapplink into the inkling-sized opening. It rose to the roof, ready for use. She sloshed once, the ink hitting the device and transporting her beneath it in squid form. Agent A released the ink charged up in her barrel and inked the Grapplink as well, being pulled to Agent 4's position.

Agent 5 launched himself from the platform as it fell below him. He threw his Hero Dynamo Roller over his shoulder and aimed for a vertical flick…but missed. The wall to the right of the opening was coated in green ink and he began to fall to the ground.

"SHIT!" He yelled, tumbling down towards the platform. He was approaching the halfway mark, where the alarms sat. He shut his eyes and prepared to have his ears blasted by sound… but he felt someone grab onto him.

When he opened his eyes in shock, he saw Agent 4 latched onto him with her left arm, a fully charged Hero Charger in her other. She grit her teeth while flipping around and taking aim. She let off a shot, hitting the Grapplink and switching to squid form to zoom towards it. Agent 5 grabbed her tentacle with his free hand, getting pulled with her.

A moment of airtime later, Agent 4 landed on her feet in kid form, while Agent 5 face planted into the floor, catching his breath.

"You're lucky we're still in Octo Canyon, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to switch weapons," Agent 4 said, equipping her Slosher once again. She extended her hand to Agent 5 on the floor. "Rule #1 of the battlefield: don't miss."

"Alright, I get it. Sorry," Agent 5 said, taking her hand. She pulled him up and the team prepared to infiltrate. Agent 5 switched his motor to silent. Agent 4 oiled her suspensions. Agent A switched to a Hero Shot, a much quieter weapon. The sound of scraping metal was heard from outside, signalling that the large, circular doors had closed. The squad advanced forwards, avoiding any creaky spots on the walkway.

"Wow, there's a whole tunnel here," Agent 4 whispered. "Why is this here?"

"We slept in these tunnels while building," Agent A whispered back. "We covered them up at the end, but I left mine open."

"Huh."

They soon came to the end of the tunnel, where a panel lay sealing off the tunnel. With one swift movement, Agent A removed the panel silently and set it aside. Bright fuschia light lit up their faces from the other side. They got on the ground and peered over the edge, side by side. Agent A wasn't shocked at what they saw, but the other two were wide eyed.

"This… this is pure Inkling torture."