The five of them sat there staring at one another for a bit before Pat had enough gawking.
"Seriously, what are you doing?" Patton asked.
"Well, we were saving you, but it seems like you're already helping yourself." Marie observed.
"It was going fine having to keep track of two instead of five, but it's nice to know you care." Pat paused. "How did you find us?"
"We were investigating the second dome on our list when... wait, us?" Callie Bergen before she went off track. Looking over at Loorea she realized what he meant by us. "Oh."
"Hi." Loorea squeaked, shifting uncontrollably under the newfound attention that was given to her. "I'm L-Loorea."
"You're a funny looking Inkling." Agent 3 stated. "I've never seen tentacles like that."
"She's not an Inkling." Patton and Marie responded. Both stopped and looked at the other. Patton turned to observe the building they had taken shelter in.
"Is this a bar?" He asked, taking in the tables, stools, the wall full of alcoholic beverages, and wall decorations that littered the pub. A hint of an idea had begun to form in his brain until he noticed the blank stares he was receiving. "Sorry, I'm getting off track."
"I'm a Vinkling." She began to explain to the agents. "I am different than your kind."
Callie and Agent 3 sat there trying to comprehend. "Is that a new species?" The third agent asked.
"Actually, no." Marie began. "They've been around for awhile."
"How do you know?" Callie asked.
"Believe it or not, I actually was the one who paid attention to my history classes along with biology and science." She began to recite all she could remember of the species. "The precursors to Vinklings are believed to have followed our kind onto land give or take a hundred or so years. Some say they learned how to shoot ink and some other stuff from the decently evolved Inklings or Octarians, some others say it just happened. There are supposedly some who appear here and there in Inkopolis."
"So they aren't bloodsuckers or anything?" Pat mused. Looking over the selection of drinks offered. At worst, he received a mixed expression from Loorea. "I'm kidding, but you were saying."
"I don't know much beyond that. They don't show up in most writings about the Great Turf War at all. I assume they just stayed out of it." Marie concluded. "It's an honor to see one in person."
"Oh, thanks." Loorea responded, not really enjoying this spotlight she was given.
"Smart, your two races could learn from that." Pat muttered.
"Come on, cut us a break, did you even have a recent to compete with?" Callie shot back.
"We had ourselves to fight." Patton retorted. "I can give a history lesson later, but you didn't explain how you got here."
"Oh right, we were searching for you in the other domes we have on this list." Callie resumed her explanation. "We can tell you more when we get out."
"So I assumed you have this grand plan to get out." The human muttered.
"No, what are you doing?" The four turned over to Pat, who was picking up and inspecting drinks that decorated the one wall. Slung over his shoulder was several rags and cloths he pulled off the tables. He turned back with an innocent look on his face, acting like he was doing nothing wrong.
"What? It's not like I'm gonna have a shot or something." He said as he set several glass bottles down on to the table next to him. "I'm just gonna start a party."
"You realize how strong they say this stuff is?" Marie said. "I am not dealing with drunk you on top of how you are."
"Didn't you listen to me?" Pat responded. "I say drinks are on me, but I never said I was offering the drinks to you..."
I * I * I * I
Meanwhile, while Patton was formulating his crazy idea several Octarians were discussing the current state of their man (and squid) hunt. Several of the Salmonids were called up to join the search. Watching over them was a very disappointed Octoling.
"All the entrances and exits are guarded and under watch. Salmonids are patrolling the lower levels with reinforcements coming in. We will find those two ma'am." One Octotrooper reported.
The Elite shrugged him off. "Find them or we're all going to get fried." She held back her rage back from her fellow soldiers.
"Poly-8, the Director wishes to speak with you." One Octoling came to the Elite. "Seems awful urgent too."
The Elite grumbled. The day had already been going badly for her as it is. The only times the director wanted to a talk with anyone was for orders or dealing out punishments for failure. Knowing how well her day has been she knew the probable reason why.
"I'll get there in a moment."
"But the Director is on the line now." The octopus held a communicator in her hand. "And it is urgent."
She sighed, taking the communicator. "I have all the exits and floors-"
"I am already aware of the security measures you are taking, I am asking about your progress with searching for the ancient. It is supposed to be under YOUR watch." The distorted voice came out in a very impatient manner.
"I already have forces going through all areas of this dome and buildings. I will find him."
"I hope you can keep that promise, I will come back into contact if you complete your task." The Director ended the conversation there. She sighed, knowing what failure would most likely mean for her.
An Octocopter flew up to her. "We've found something over by the southern checkpoint."
"Is it anything related to the human's whereabouts?" She snapped.
"No m-ma'am, but I think that yellow ink appearing isn't just a coincidence."
I * I * I * I
Patton, Callie, Marie, Loorea, and Agent 3 all waited in a side ally that had just been swept by Octavian forces. They were watching a group inspect a puddle of ink that they had put down in hopes of causing a long enough distraction to make a run without any contact. The problem with the plan was that they had not expected more soldiers to join in. Effectively, every exit was equally guarded despite their efforts.
"I guess there is no way out of my part trick then." Patton frowned.
"I still think this idea of yours is crazy." Marie frowned. "This is impossible."
"If someone came up to me claiming that the future world would be dominated by cephalopods who evolved to resemble us in the way you do. While on top of that are capable of changing back into a squid, shoot ink with toy guns, and fight over electrical catfish, I'd tell you you're nuts." Patton turned to the group with a wink. "But this is probably not my best idea..."
"But that happened, look at us." Callie whispered.
"Fair point." He nodded. "But I don't get why they have such an interest in me."
"If what they told me is true, then they probably want someone who is impervious to ink on their side." Agent 3 stated. Pat considered what she said with a shrug.
"I think we should get started." Pulling out his lighter he lit the end of the rag sticking out of a bottle he had put in his hand. His own Molotov Cocktail wasn't meant to do much more than distract and cause enough carnage for them to get out. Hurling the glass bottle at a wall where multiple troops stood guard was one of the most satisfying things he had ever done. He admired the surprise of their faces before running after the agents that already began their run. He had several more bottles in his right satchel as he lit another at a cluster who started to run him down.
Agent 3 had already well made it halfway across the open area they were running through. She realized the secret genius of the plan: This was like no weapon ever seen before. Both races have never tried nor needed to use weapons such as what Pat had improvised.
Several Octarians and Salmonids had regrouped and were soon realizing one flaw the cocktail had. The flames didn't last too long without fuel to keep it going. On top of that, spraying their ink on it put it out almost as well as water could. They worked furiously to put out the flames as Pat dished them out.
The agents and Patton soon made it to the pipe that would take them out of the dome. As the cousins worked to pry open the grate Pat and Agent 3 worked to hold off their pursuers the best they could. They both took turns either throwing a bottle or firing off ink.
Suddenly they all stopped. The Salmonids and Octarians backed up to reveal the Elite, who had her grip on Loorea. The four froze as the Octoling dragged the terrified girl halfway across the open area. Even when she changed forms she could only struggle against her.
"We both know where this is going, so just turn yourself in." Any form of hospitality was gone from her voice. Pat could almost feel the anger radiate from her, as all the octopi and fish gave her plants of space. She had taken the business approach to this situation.
"Pat, you can't." Callie said.
"A rock and a hard place..." Pat muttered as he walked up to the Elite. "I'll consider it when you let her go."
"Drop the lighter, and step forward." She demanded.
Pat threw the lighter behind him as he was ordered. The Octoling stood there, her glare slowly eased under the mask. She let go of the Vinkling who flopped over to the agents.
Patton stood with one bottle in his hand. "You got some really strong stuff, burns well." He noted. "Here." He attempted to smash the bottle on the side of her head. The Elite expected a move like this, ducking under the bottle thrown at her.
"The hell do you think you're going to get away with?" She snarled with a kick to his knee. "Do you realize what I've sacrificed just so you can be out of that pod?" She was nearly screaming at him while signaling several others to take him away.
Patton slowly got up looking head on. Everyone failed to notice several splat bombs flying in their direction. The first of such unceremoniously bounced off of Pat's head. A second after the bombs blew taking the majority of the Octarians and Salmonids around the human. Looking around he saw several ghostly looking Octopus floating up around, one appearing very, very upset.
Agent 3 and Loorea helped up the disoriented boy to the pipe that would lead them out. Several Octarians tried to muck through the ink while they fired off, but their efforts were too little too late. Callie shut the grate behind them as they began their slide back to Inkopolis.
After a half hour of speeding down different pipes to be sure they weren't followed the fort cephalopods sprung out of a grate on the opposite side of Inkopolis. A slam came from the grate as Patton smashed into it, grunting with the impact.
"Sorry, but usually we don't have problems getting people to fit down there." Marie opened the top of the kettle. "You ok?"
"I'm fine, but where are we?"
I * I * I * I
The Elite walked down one of the hallways of the lower levels. Soon after she finished coming out of the spawn pad that was designated for the area, she received orders to go to the Director's office. Entering a secure wing she flashed her ID at one of the guards, despite her reputation she still had to abide by policy. Standing at the door she held took a breath as she went in.
The Director was seated behind her desk, reading a novel she had purchased the previous day. On her desk were papers, books, and maps situated in an orderly fashion. The walls had paintings depicting Octarian history, from the early days of the Turf War to images showing some of the more simple parts of their way of life. Behind her were more maps and a screen for catching up on the news. Unlike most, she was a manipulator, and she knew how to burn straight through anyone. Looking up from the book she watched the Elite walk to her desk.
"You wanted to speak with me, ma'am?" She asked.
"Yes Amber." The Director began. "I would like to know just how fit you still are for your duty."
The Elite froze, never having been called anything but her call sign by the Director. "Could you explain more?"
"Yes, you are one of the most capable we have here, yet you let a fossil and squids roll over you and all who were put under your command. I hope that isn't a sign of you looking your touch." She explained, walking around her desk. "You were the one who thought there was value in bringing it back. You requested to be the one who would watch over it. I just authorized what you wanted to do, and I really hope that wasn't a waste of supplies or time."
"I can get him back ma'am. Just let me go and ill have it back in time for the experiment." Amber replied.
"So I will give you one chance to prove to me you can. In twenty hours you will leave on your own expedition yourself to reclaim this human". Return empty-handed, and you will not be welcomed back to the project." The Director stood in front of the Elite. "While you are valuable, you can still be replaced."
"What do I do if I can't, if the Inklings have a hold of him then what is the possibility of me getting to him?"
The Director turned around. "If you cannot retrieve it then make sure that it cannot become a threat to us. So I recommend you use the time you have left here to get well prepared." She waved her hand to indicate Amber was dismissed. "Don't disappoint."