Splatoon Afterworld

by drz1990

Explained in the intro

11. Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

"Seth...Seth..." a faint voiced echoed through a dark void. "Seth...SETH!..." they called out louder. Then the dark void had become consumed in a blinding white light. "SETH! It's time to get up,"

A figure was blinking their eyes. Their vision impaired momentarily as they sat up and turned to another figure lying beside them. "Seth it's 9 in the morning. We gotta go get groceries today. I'm running low on milk," a female voice said. Seth who was just woken up, gave a stretch and rubbed his head, still not fully awake he turned to the woman that was lying next to him. "What time is it?" he asked groggily.

"Time to get up. I already got coffee made. I would've thought you heard the alarm clock go off," she told him.

"I didn't (yawn). It was weird. I had the strangest dream, Sarah. The world ended and we got placed in these pods that froze us in time. We went through this hibernation for thousands of years. You guys were missing and when I woke up, I stumbled across this strange world inhabited by these creatures that had octopus tentacles on their head...and you got turned into a sea slug," he told the woman.

"Turned into a sea slug, that's silly hon. I think those sleeping pills you take for your PTSD are fueling that imagination of yours. Speaking of which your due for a refill and you got that VA appointment to go to for your psychological evaluation today too," she informed him, before leaning over and kissing him.

"I guess I forgot. I'll get up and start getting ready," he told her. Sarah smiled and left the bedroom and headed back into the kitchen. Seth got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom to brush his teeth. As a few minutes passed, looking at his reflection in the mirror with the toothbrush in his mouth. He took it and looked down at the sink to spit out the toothpaste and then looked back up. He spotted a figure behind him in the mirror, they were short, human-like in appearance wearing some kind of googles on their face and black tentacles of top of their head. He was startled and rubbing his eyes, surely, he was hallucinating. Freezing in place as he quickly turned around to see the creature wasn't there.

"What...the...am I losing it," he said to himself. He shrugged and looked back in the mirror before giving a deep breath. The creature he saw looked oddly familiar, a lot like the octopus-headed girls from his dream.

"Seth is everything ok?" said Sarah's voice from the end of the hall outside the bathroom.

"Um, yeah...I'm fine just seeing things is all," he replied. Seth put his toothbrush away and opened the medicine cabinet that the mirror was mounted to. He grabbed a bottle of the sleeping pills, turning it around to see if there were any side effects that included hallucinating octopus girls. "That was odd...I guess it was a good thing I scheduled an appointment with the VA. First that dream and now that hallucination. Wonder what brought that all on. If felt so real," he said.

"Seth your coffee's getting cold. How much longer are you gonna be?"

"I'm about to come out. Just gotta finish up," he told her. Grabbing some deodorant spray out of the cabinet. He sprayed himself and then stepped out. Seth walked into the kitchen and grabbed Sarah from behind and hugged her. Pulling her into a kiss as she turned around. "OK, Seth...you sure you're feeling alright you look a little out of it. You even got dark rings around your eyes like you hadn't slept in days," she told him.

"Huh, I feel fine Sarah. I guess I didn't notice...since that thing I saw in the mirror behind my back,"

"What are you talking about?" she asked him strangely.

"It's nothing, I need to ask the doctor if the side effects are having dreams about octopus girls and seeing them in your bathroom mirror," he told her with a chuckle.

"You and that imagination of yours. Octopus girls...I guess you better head to the VA clinic so you can return and then we can go grocery shopping. Little Virgil outta be up by the time you get back. Which I also need to pick up more formula and baby food," she said. Walking over to her purse and pulling out a grocery list.

"The visit shouldn't take too long. I'm thinking an hour at the most. Well, I'll be back babe," he said as he walked over and gave her a kiss.

"Don't forget to tell the doctor about what you've been going through lately. See if they can change out your medicine," she told Seth as he walked out the front door.

"I will," he said, closing the door. He walked up to the SUV and got in. Cranking it up and backing out making sure no one was coming or any vehicles as he backed away from the garage of the house. Once he got into the street, he shifted the vehicle back to overdrive and then adjusted his rear-view mirror only to frightened by the octopus girl he saw in his bathroom mirror again. This time, staring at him through the rear-view mirror. Seth closed his eyes and gave a deep breath, before quickly turning to see if anyone was in the back seat. Yet like before...no one was there.

"Get a grip Matthison, you're seeing drug induced hallucinations. I'm definitely telling the doc to issue me some different pills. This is getting monotonous," he said to himself, turning around, facing his lap but as he looked up, getting ready to continue on to the VA clinic. What he saw standing in front of the SUV made his eyes widened and speechless. The octopus girl appeared again, standing in front of the car, eyeing him behind her goggles.

Seth then gritted his teeth with an angered expression. Unbuckling his seat bell and getting out as he approached the girl. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT FROM ME!" he shouted at her. He looked around and noticed bystanders looking at him with estranged expressions. One young boy on a bike stopped and stared, wondering what was wrong with the man. He turned back to the octopus girl but she had vanished again. He flailed his arms and fell back not believing the girl had disappeared. He was hysterical and all the neighbors were very concerned by Seth's behavior.

"This can't be happening, this can't be happening," he muttered to himself as he laid his hands on his head with his eyes closed. Sitting on the street beside the SUV. "Mister, mister...are you ok?" asked a young boy holding a basketball as he walked over to Seth.

"Mister?" their voiced change to a young girl. Seth slowly opened one of his eyes and turned his head to see the young boy was not a human but another octopus girl, this time with reddish-pink tentacles wearing an oversized t-shirt without any goggles covering her eyes. She stared at Seth and reached her hand out to him.

"G...G... Get away from me!" he frantically told her as he scurried away from the young octopus girl. As he ran down the street and closed his eyes, the scenery changed around him once he had opened them, thinking he might've been in another dream. He stopped and stared at his new surroundings. The neighborhood, no longer vibrant and serene but bleak, abandoned and delipidated. Many of the houses were now piles of rubble or condemned and falling apart. The sky above was dark and cloudy. He turned around and now saw a crowd of the octopus girls standing in the middle of the trash-littered street staring at him.

He was at a loss of words, his arms hanging down. His eyes widened and mouth open. They slowly marched toward him with their goggle lenses glowing. Once they got closer to him they stopped and pulled out what looked like oversized super soakers and aimed it at him.

Seth started stepping back but as he did the creatures fired at him. Seth shielded himself with his arms and closed his eyes. Not realizing they shot at his feet and the area just around his body, with him not getting struck by the purple inky substance that came out of the guns. He relaxed his arms and looked at his body. Wondering why they missed him or why they would pelt him like that but unaware he was pulled down in the purple ink puddle by tentacles. He screamed as he was being dragged under. He struggled and fought only going down faster until he was up to his neck.

The octopus girl, the one he recognized from before with the black tentacles approached him and kneeled down with his head only exposed. She gave a chuckle as she grinned at Seth. "What are you?!...WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!" he screamed at her.

"Because I love you Seth," she answered as she stood up before pressing her boot on top of his head causing his head to submerge in the pool of ink. Then everything had went black again.

"Oh shrimp! We're losing him!" shouted a voice as the sound of a heart monitor could be heard erratically beeping.

"He's flatlining! Prepare to resuscitate!...OK...1, 2, 3 and clear BZZZTTT...Dammit! Try again!"

"1, 2, 3 and clear BZZZTTT...one more time 1, 2, 3 clear!" BZZZTTT...BEEP...BEEP...BEEP...

The sound of the beeping was turning rhythmic. "Heart rate's returning to normal. Thank God, I thought we lost him there,"

An octoling wearing a red scarf around her neck was standing among the others in the room, looking over Seth. Her medic placed the AED back on the counter after reviving Seth with it. Her counterpart, another regular was watching the medical equipment. "Vitals are good so far but we can't be sure what other effects will surface on the human after we injected that lieutenant's ink into him. I was fearful it would've killed him being the genetic makeup of his "ink" and hers is incomparable. His body could be having an adverse reaction to her ink as we've seen," said the octoling medic.

"That lieutenant insisted we do the transfusion even though you warned her that it could kill him as well. So far it hasn't...we just gotta keep him under observation," said their leader.

"What about Nova? She managed to slip away...you know as well as I do she'll return with a much larger force. I'm sure she knows about this place, the defectors and this human," said the other octoling.

"That's why we need to strategize. We're gonna have to get with the lieutenant and her squad as well as the others. My opinion as they we leave at daybreak. 3 hours from now," said sergeant Kelly. "Speaking of the lieutenant. Is she still sitting in that room outside," asked the corporal.

"Yeah, after I drew ink, I told her she needed to rest but she inquired that she wanted to be close to the human, Seth I think she said his name was," she said before spotting the elite walking into the room. It was Mirage and instead of wearing her octarian uniform, which was used as bandaging. She came across a black t-shirt in their quarters she wore to cover herself.

(Throat clearing) How...is he?" she asked, still looking a little tuckered out from ink being extracted out of her body for the transfusion.

"Lieutenant, you, feeling alright?" asked Kelly.

"I'm fine...what about Seth?" Holding her head and looking at the human laying on the bed.

"We had a close call. If it hadn't been for my medic, he'd be dead. It's probably your ink reacting to his body. We warned you that..."

"I know but... He'd be dead if we didn't do something. I was willing to take the risk if it meant a chance of keeping him alive," the lieutenant told the octoling with the scarf. She walked in and stepped beside Seth's bed and looked at him. He was unresponsive but stable and then she noticed rings were appearing around his eyes which was strange. Perhaps another side effect of the octoling's ink in his body.

"I... could've done more. I'm so sorry Seth," Mirage started to whimper as she placed her hand on Seth's arm.

"You're not to blame. It was Nova that nearly killed him," Sergeant Kelly looking over at Seth.

"Nova...she'll pay dearly for this," she said coldly as she squeezed the bed railing. Seeing the cross neckless around Seth's throat she remembered what it meant to him, and she placed her hand under it and rubbed it. After a moment she unclipped it and pulled it from around his neck. "I know you got a lot on your plate lieutenant. I'm sorry about your human friend but you know that Nova will be back and with an army to seize this place. We're gonna have to leave before they do, So I need you to..."

"I'm not leaving Seth behind," she blurted to the sergeant as she clutched the necklace.

"Lieutenant, did you just hear me. We have to..."

"Then you and the others leave...I'm staying behind and protecting Seth. I'm not gonna let her take him from me,"

"Your squad needs you to lead them out of this place. I need as much octopower as I can get and I'm not gonna let you decide to stay here over one human,"

"If you hadn't noticed sergeant. This place is full of humans. Deeper in this facility there are many more humans like him. Are you just gonna leave this place wide open for Nova and Scarlet to take all these humans to finish their master plan, building this unsplattable army and when she does. What then? Take over all of the octarian territory, take the surface world. Where will we go? Where will we hide? After that...they'll be no stopping her...not by us and not by the squids. You may wanna rethink your plans Kelly," advised the elite.

"That's sergeant Kelly lieutenant...and how do you propose we stop them huh? 2 squads and a small platoon, not counting the tentacles you brought back. I'd say our chances of victory are slim to none,"

"Faith," Mirage answered her.

"Excuse me,"

"We need faith," said Mirage as she held out the cross necklace in her hand.

The octolings looked at each other. "What are you getting at Lieutenant?" asked Kelly as she crossed her arms and gave Mirage a critical look.

"What I'm getting at is we have to be faithful that no matter how things may seem, even if the odds are stacked against, we still have a chance to beat those odds. Seth taught me not to give up hope...and he was right. Me, Melony, my squad, and the others managed to escape and destroyed most of the octoweapons factory. I say we stay and kick Nova's ass and her army's back to octo base. We'll make sure we send a message to Scarlet not to tangle with the defectors and that we will win and stop her operations. Now are you with me sergeant or do you wanna turn tentacle and run,"

"Lieutenant...(sigh) Out of all the crazy things I've heard, listening to you... has gotten me thinking. I hate to admit this but...you're right. We can't keep running away from our problems. They're gonna catch up with us eventually. We can't let the octarians take this place and we certainly can't let Scarlet have the humans. Once she does...they'll be no stopping her. Count me in," said sergeant Kelly.

"Count me in too," said the medic specialist

"And me," replied Kelly's corporal.

"Thank you...for staying behind, for Seth," said Mirage out of relief.

"You seem to have a lot of admiration for him," the sergeant remarked.

"He's...my friend," she told them, before looking down at the necklace she had in her hand.

"Well...I hope your friend pulls through...as you said, faith," said Kelly with a half-smile.

"Yeah...I guess I'll be going now," she told as she looked at Seth and then turned towards the doorway.

"Hold up lieutenant, before you go... I wanna tell you thanks for your inspiration. I think you're a great leader and you've show me that," said Kelly.

"Don't thank me...thank Seth and..." said Mirage as she pointed up. The octolings looked up and were a little confused. The elite decided to leave and head back into the waiting room as the others stuck around to monitor Seth's body.

Mirage sat in a chair, looking at the cross necklace as she rubbed it. She gave a deep breath and clutched it, closing her eyes and muttering to herself as if she was praying. After a moment she opened her eyes and sat up, clipping the necklace around her neck. She leaned her head back and gave a sigh before her attention was gotten by footsteps in front of her as the elite looked and spotted Vee, along with Luna and Star right behind her.

"How's Seth doing?" asked the private.

"I don't know,"

"You don't know? I was expecting a better answer than that," said Luna.

"He's alright...isn't he," said Star.

"Seth's still in a coma. Sergeant Kelly said he...had a close call. Said it was because of my ink,"

"So, no one knows when he'll wake up," said Luna as Mirage shook her head. "(deep sigh) That Luna is getting what's coming to her,"

"Get in line Luna. I got first dibs," said Mirage.

"What are we going to do now?" asked Star.

"Sergeant Kelly suggested that everyone leave at daybreak, but I told her I was staying back,"

"What? Does she not realize with Seth in the condition he's in, we just can't leave him here. I'm not going anywhere," protested Luna.

"Me too. Seth can't fend for himself, not to mention the other humans that in those pods," Star joined in.

"I told her that and through my words I managed to talk her into staying back. We can't see Nova or the octarians getting their slimy tentacles on any of the tech or those frozen humans. If they did we might as well kiss our butts goodbye because they'll be no stopping Scarlet at that point,"

"Mirage...you think Seth will make it? Emma was really worried about him. I had to stay with her until she finally fell asleep," said Vee.

"I can't answer that one private. Only time will but I hope he does soon,"

"Before we get into any kind of battle with Nova, which I'm sure we are since she knows about this place. You're gonna need some armor...and a weapon. I don't think you'll fare well in a fight with just that black t-shirt you found," said Luna.

"I wonder if Kelly has some spare gear. Wouldn't hurt to ask," said Star.

"I heard you...and yes I do but it's back at our safehouse. I don't wanna make the trip and risk getting seen or shot down on our trip there or on our way back. I don't know when Nova will strike but I can count on her to assemble her forces quickly given they have a very good reason to take this place," said Kelly as she stepped out of the room after hearing the octolings discussion.

"Well, Mirage can't go into battle without armor or a weapon," pointed out Luna.

"Wait...I do have another weapon. Seth gave it to me yesterday when me and him were target practicing in the warehouse. That human weapon I was shooting," remembered Mirage.

"Huh? Human weapon?" replied Luna, confused as to what Mirage was implying.

"It's...sort of like our octo shots minus the ink. Seth showed me how to use it. It'll have to due for now until I can get another octo shot or something. I lost the splattershot pro during our battle at the octoweapons factory and my octo shot got swiped by Nova's goons back at the bar,"

"You serious? Did you donate enough ink that you ain't got none flowing through that brain of yours," said Luna.

"I know what I'm doing. I have no other options. As for armor. I remembered that gear Seth was wearing before. I'm sure I can find some in the supply bay in my size," she told them as she stood up. She started to head out of the room before Vee shouted at her. "Can I come with you?" she asked.

"Private, I want you to stay and keep an eye on things for me," she told Vee.

"Well then, we'll tag along then," said Luna.

"That's up to you," replied Mirage.

The three left, while Vee stayed back to monitor things while her squad left for the warehouse. It was there when they headed toward the back where the weapons and equipment were. Mirage spotted the SIG Rattler she shot with Seth, laying on top of a crate. She retrieved it and then headed over to another crate scrouging for magazines. "Lieutenant, how do you expect to fight when that weapon doesn't take ink," asked Luna, watching Mirage dig through a crate as she grabbed a magazine.

"Seth showed me how to refill this thing. That's also why I'm gonna need to wear that vest, like the one he wore the first time he came with us on a mission," she told Luna as she slid the mag into the weapon.

"Oh, you mean when Seth left you for that inkling chick that you got so worked up about," Luna said with a smirk in which got underneath Mirage's skin.

"You wanna be a moving target, Luna?"

"So, you know how to use that thing?" asked Star.

"Like I said, Seth taught me and now I'm glad he did. I've...learned a lot from him. I've learned to be a better leader. To put things behind me and about having faith. You think I was willing to leave Seth behind while we flee from Nova and the rest of those ink bags. Seth would be willing to stay back if the shoe was on the other foot for me or anyone else,"

"That's pretty noble of you lieutenant that you'd be willing to stay behind with Seth making sure nothing happened to him...and no one should. He's our friend too and we stick together to the end," said Star.

"I'm sure if Sergeant Kelly and her team as well as the other octolings and tentacles would've left, you guys would've stayed even if I didn't make you," said Mirage.

"You know we would. We're not gonna leave you and Seth behind to face Nova and the octarians," said Star.

"We're with you all the way. I don't wanna miss an opportunity to jam my boot in Nova's face remembering all the guff she gave me when we were in the octarian army together. Man, times went by, seemed like only yesterday that Nova walked in on me in the bathroom finger banging myself when I forgot to lock the door. The look on her face before she chewed my tentacles out for it," chuckled Luna.

"Umm, you know there's some things I just don't wanna know about, especially coming from you Luna," Mirage told her.

"Why do you think I slip off time to time, especially when I get around Seth," said Luna as she gave a cheesy grin earning her a dirty look from Mirage as she racked the weapon. "Just squiddin' ya. Geez lighten up lieutenant. Some people just can't take a joke," Luna told as she stepped way.

"Yeah, especially when it comes to dirty humor. Now to hunt for a vest," said Mirage. She searched around for a plate carrier for protection and to hold her magazine capacity. As she walked off, Luna turned to Star and whispered something in her ear. Mirage caught wind of something the elite said and turned toward the two. "What was that?" Mirage asked the two.

"Oh nothing," replied Luna with an innocent expression.

"If you're gonna say something then say it. other then that help me look for some gear," Mirage said as she turned away again. Luna, faced star and whispered again into her squad mate's ear. "I heard that! What about my chest!" shouted Mirage angrily as she put her hands on her hips.

"Luna was going on about how good it was that you didn't have big ink sacs," said Star as Luna covered her mouth to contain her laughter.

"Excuse me!" the elite yelled as she turned pink. "My...chest is perfectly fine! Why are you making such a big deal about it!?" Mirage was getting flustered by the comment.

"It was a joke, don't get your tentacles in a knot. It's just guys dig big ink sacs is all. When I was in your office last night I saw this magazine of human females thrown in the trash and well...let's just say they were well equipped. I assumed you got jealous and threw it away," remarked Luna.

"What! I don't know anything about a magazine and if I did, I wouldn't have thrown it away. I would've burned it. Why would I care anyway!?" Mirage ranted as she waved her arms up.

"Maybe because Seth isn't into you because you lack the knockers. Just insinuating," Luna kept on adding insult to injury.

"I could give a shrimp. If I had big...you know, then how the shell would I wear my breast plate, for that matter none you have room to talk," said Mirage as she pointed at the two as both of them looked down at their chest.

"Huh...I got big ones, I just...got em sucked in right now so I can wear my armor," said Luna as she crossed her arms and turned her head.

"Sure, neat magic trick Luna. I bet you tell all the males that too. Now if we're done comparing then I need to find that gear so both of you keep your beaks shut," snapped Mirage as she turned away and continued to hunt for the tactical vests. Luna just gave a smug expression and stuck out her tongue as Mirage turned away to look for the gear.

After some digging, she finally stumbled across the crate containing the tactical plate carriers. She grabbed one and saw it was too big, so she tossed it aside and then studied another, yet, it too was large. Mirage finally came across one that was small enough for her and laid it to the side. The elite looked down, remembering the shirt she was wearing was large and loose which was cause the vest to shift around and become unsecure, but she wouldn't take it going bare chested not to mention the material of the tactical vest would chafe her skin.

To improvise, Mirage decided to pull the black t-shirt off. When she did she looked down at her chest. The elite looked at her B-cup boozums and rubbed them. Do males serious get off on females having big breasts? The elite thought, giving a deep sigh, taking the shirt and rolling it to be wrapped around the top portion of her torso to cover her chest and tie the slack behind her back to form a brazier.

Afterward, she placed the plate carrier over her and slipped it around her body. Though it was still a little big and loose, it had to do. She headed back to where Luna and Star who stared at her. "Nice, looks good on lieutenant," complimented Star.

"Yeah, now you look like you're ready for combat," said Luna.

"It's kinda...big and heavy. This human gear is a little cumbersome. I don't how Seth could wear this in battle. Guess the pouches in the front are for holding those mags as Seth called them. I better grab as much as I can carry," said the elite as she headed back over to where the ammo and magazines were stored. The octoling grabbed more loaded magazines and placed them in the pouches attached to her vest. "So... have we even talked about how we're supposed to defend this place. Is that sergeant gonna inform the others?" asked Luna.

"None the less I still needed to come down here and grab a weapon and gear. I'll talk to Kelly and Maxine on our strategy," said Mirage as she finished up and slung the SIG Rattler on her back.

"I know you didn't wanna leave Seth behind and I'm all for it but...we're talking about possibly fighting the octarian army. Once Scarlet gets wind that there are butt loads of advance human tech here and the humans themselves nestled inside those iceboxes, she's gonna send enough personnel to crush us and take everything she wants from this inking place. How many of us is there again? Not even 30 counting the dumb walking tentacles. We're not gonna last 10 minutes," Luna told Mirage.

"Like I told Kelly we need faith if we're gonna be able to face Nova's forces once they get here. Don't you remember the battle back at the factory. Did you think we would've beaten the octarians before we wrecked their plan with only so few of us? Or when we were on our own, trying to survive and evade Scarlet's forces and beat the octomaw back at that town,"

"Well...technically that inkling took it down,"

"That's beside the point sergeant...Things look grim, I know but I like to think of it as the darkest before the dawn. Nova or Scarlet for that matter has no idea how many of us there are. It would best if she thought there were only a few of us and she lets that arrogance of Her's believe she can just waltz up here confidently take this place. Well, she'll be in a rude awakening won't she," said Mirage. "What do you say,"

"I say we kick some ass!" shouted Luna.

"Yeah!" cheered Star.

"That's what I like to hear. Now let's head out and discuss our battle plans with Kelly and everyone else back in the atrium," The trio left and made there way back to talk to Sergeant Kelly and the rest before they gathered up. Vee was told to stay back with Seth and watch him. The inklings stayed in the quarters and weren't disturbed as Emma did in the squad's room, still traumatized by Seth who she had grown attached to and saw as a father figure.

Unbeknownst to the new inhabitants of the underground facility. Deep inside the cryochamber a shadowed figure was walking around, examining the cryopods. Soon they stumbled across the pod that Seth had come out of. They stepped forward and looked inside, sniffing the interior of the machine that once housed Seth during his prolonged hibernation. "Fascinating...Capt'n Cuttlefish would want to hear about this as much as I would hate to bother him. Then again, he's the one that made me take leadership of the squidbeak. Hope Sam got a hold of those new recruits," they said. Once they backed away and got out of the pod. A cape they were wearing was blocking their appearance until she brushed it aside, revealing it to be agent 3, aka Cassie.

"So, the humans have been alive all this time. Can't say I'm surprised since my folks took in Max that night we returned to the county during that storm. It's a shame he couldn't tell us where he came from. I guess the shock caused amnesia. Agent 8 went through the same for a period of time," Cassie said. The inkling agent turned and saw another pod that had been opened across from Seth's. She looked at it and studied it. Going inside she jerked and stopped, noticing something was strange. She smelled around the interior and froze in thought. "That smell...it's familiar but...how?" she said.

She got out and stared at the metal capsule and pondered. She knew Max couldn't remember anything, but something stuck out. She then remembered watching Seth in the warehouse target practicing with that elite she saw. There was something familiar about him too. Cassie shook her head, a theory popped up in her mind, but it didn't seem plausible. "If there was a way, I could get the records about this place and these humans that may help me then I could recover some data and see if what I'm thinking is correct. That scent in the pod was too familiar and seeing all these humans here can only support my theory that Max came from here, but he was found so far out. The ocean separates octarian territory from the inkling territory. Surely, he couldn't have swum across...unless he got a lift and the only one, I've ever known to even go out on the water was the captain himself. Crazy old squid never thinks about what would happen if that dinghy of his ever sprang a leak. I wonder..." she contemplated. Deciding to leave the cryochamber and go spy on the octolings unnoticed, she was well aware by what she had gathered were the octolings weren't a part of the army or a threat that posed to the inklings but defectors. She also knew about the inkling captives and as mentioned before Seth himself.

Squid forming and using the duct work of the facility to move around unnoticed, she would stay back a little longer though the inklings known as the squid sisters were awaiting her return from octo canyon. It seemed keeping a close observation on the octolings and the human seemed too important to return home and let Sam hunt for the fresh new agents.

Six hours later, deeper in octo canyon was where Sam had landed. A dome containing what appeared to be a shantytown. She had discovered that it had been infested with salmonids but why were the salmonids in octarian territory and deep underground instead of outside Inkopolis hanging around the grizzco worksites. The inkling girl watched the ugly fish coat the ground with their green oily goo. It was apparent the octarian inhabitants had either been slain and or fled from getting overrun by the ugly fish. The agent continued on down the plank catwalk and stepped on the roof of a building. She saw a little makeshift post in front of her and an octosniper's perch sitting toward the edge covered in ink.

"Guess those salmonids blew through their defenses. I almost feel sorry for them," said Sam. The agent pressed on and followed a path leading to another building. She crossed another plank bridge, but it creaked and then broke, causing Sam to fall down in the upper floor of the next building. Rubbing her butt and getting up, she got the attention of two chum that were down below. They grunted and headed up the stairs, trailing the fish goo behind them. Once they reached up top and spotted Sam they came after her. Aiming her hero shot at them, she fired it and splatted the chum before they could reach her.

"Woah...this thing is awesome...but I still like my ink bow," impressed with the new weapon that was issued to her by Sheldon.

Making her way down and splatting a trail as she dove in down the stairs and back on the ground floor, walking back out into the street. Stepping outside she got the attention of the nearby salmonids. Gangs of chum and a few cohock charged toward her. "Oh shrimp," she said. (Frantic Aspic music playing)

Sam lobbed a splat bomb killing three of them and creating an ink puddle to slow the fish down. Two were closing in and she splatted them one after the other as they closed in. Shooting some more ink to avoid them so she could gain distance from them in her squid form. She popped out and splatted what remaining were left. The two cohocks were getting closer, swinging their pans at the inkling. She squid formed and swam away and shot them as their backs were turned but the angry fish were still eager to pummel the inkling.

Sam kept firing until one cohock fell over and exploded into fish goo. The second one was getting closer, but Sam wanted to try something as she smirked. She lowered the hero shot and ran at the cocock. It swung it's pan down, but the agent jumped over it as it did, the inking agent got behind it. It turned and swung the pan down, but Sam blocked the attack with her hero shot by shielding herself with it and knocking the pan out of the cohock's possession and clocking the big fish in the head with the ink weapon, dazing it and finishing it off with a shot to the face as it fell back and exploded.

"Those ugly fish weren't so tough," she said as she twirled her hero shot. Then she heard ink fire, the same as before but coming from deeper in the town. "Don't know if it's octarians or those agents I was supposed to look for. There's only one way to find out," Sam said. She ran across the plaza of the abandoned town and through a newspaper kiosk with TV screens on top of it to give the octopolis news reports. The plaza was a large with opened areas, much like Inkopolis surrounded by shops and even some human based vehicles which were beyond inoperable. Then she spotted more salmonids and started shooting ink in front of her to create puddles to hide in. Outsmarting the hostile fish she jumped out of the ink puddle and ambushed them, splatting two chums. Then she spotted more approaching and decided to flee but as she did, shot at them as well.

As she ran, she saw more octarian puddles, scooters that the troopers rode tipped over, octo shots scattered around as well as octoling goggles left over from a battle with the fish. Seemed they tried to put up a fight against the salmonids but lost. Then she quickly became surrounded by the salmonids again. Seeing only one window of opportunity a break among the ugly fish, she squid formed and hopped over a big puddle of fish goo before they could grab her and swam into another building. The inkling barricaded the entry, but it wouldn't hold. A cohock was beating on the barricaded door and it would eventually give way. Sam ran upstairs and made her way to the rooftop to get away from the fish.

On the roof was another post surrounded by sandbags and a sniping nest where an octosniper's perch was sitting, unmanned with its mouth blaster lying beside it. She looked around for a way to continue and then heard the barricade had been broken through. Hearing the salmonids coming up, Sam decided it was time to skedaddle. Squid forming and heading through another building with a maze of rooms but unaware they had been booby trapped by the octarians to stop the salmonids from advancing further into the town.

Tripwires attached to ink charges and splash walls. The inkling didn't pay attention and set off one of the tripwires while in her squid form, setting off an ink charge that exploded and threw her against a wall. Sticking to the wall for a couple of seconds before peeling off and changing forms. She rubbed her head and realized that the building had been setup to stop intruders.

Sam shook it off and continued but stayed weary on her surroundings. At the end of the hall she spotted another trip wire but stepped over it. Down a stairwell below, was a splash wall device hooked to a pressure pad. Not seeing the pad as she stepped on it going down the steps. The splash wall activated but Sam squid formed and jumped under it just before it sprayed a ink wall. Changing back she gave a deep breath. It seemed she was in the clear now until a figure spotted her and closed the door to a room they were hiding in. Curious, Sam looked and approached it, only for it to open and reveal a nozzle sticking out of the doorway and spraying ink indiscriminately. Sam flipped and took cover as the shooter fired wildly around the room, coating the floor and walls with octarian ink. "Get splatted salmonid!" they shouted.

"I'm not some big ugly salmonid! So, stop shooting!" Sam shouted at them behind a flipped table. Not listening, Sam had no choice but to act. Once they ran out of ink, the shooter opened the door and frantically looked around. The octoling was scared out of her mind and just when she thought it was clear. Sam rose up and shot at her. She screamed and fell back, nearly unconscious before the inkling rushed over and held her weapon just in case, she tried anything.

"Hey! What's the big idea trying to splat me octopus!" said told her, holding the hero shot on her.

"Ugh...thought you were a salmonid, inkstain" the octoling replied, holding her stomach.

"Inkstain! How about I turn you into an inkstain. What are salmonids doing down here anyway!? Talk!"

"Those ugly guppies broke the treaty, ugh... were supposed to help us attack Inkopolis but... they stabbed us in the back, bastards,"

"Why would you octarians help those things and why did they turn against you?"

"Don't know...territorial dispute possibly. We wanted the Ark Polaris which was in their territory," she said weakly.

"Ark Polaris? What's that?" asked Sam.

"Human ship...we think crashed from space...if there were any human survivors, possibly...eaten by those stupid fish...wouldn't let us near ship, ugh..."

"At least you're being compliant. Those squidbeak agents have got to be nearby...I hate to ask but you wouldn't have happened to see anymore inklings like me would you?"

"(chuckling)"

"What's so funny?"

"This is...get splatted inkstain," said the octoling as she pulled out a splat bomb as Sam froze in place. "Long live the octarian empire," she said as she collapsed with the swelling splat bomb in her hand. Before it went off, Sam squid formed and went for cover as the bomb exploded, splatting the octoling, leaving nothing but a room covered in her ink.

Sam turned back and looked around. "Crazy octopus! Even in her dying moment she was willing to splat me," said Sam as she walked out.

"Hearing the ink fire but much closer. She turned to the source from a hole in the wall and spotted two inklings shooting at what appeared to be more salmonids trying to storm the building they were standing in front of. "That's gotta be them and looks like they're gonna need some help," she said before hopping through the hole in her squid form. She slithered down a path and entered what a appeared to be a walled-in courtyard the inkling agents were holding to try and repel the salmonid attack.

Trooper scooters and octarian ink puddles were scattered around the courtyard from a previous skirmish with the ugly fish creatures. Though the area was walled-in with platforms above that was used for defenses. It seemed the fish toppled a portion of the wall and breached the courtyard some time ago. The agents were barely keeping the relentless salmonids back but they were running out of ink and not being given the chance to refill. Chum after chum staggered through the hole in the wall as they got pelted.

"They just keep coming! Ugly guppies!" shouted an agent, a male with slick style green tentacles on his head. He wasn't alone as another agent was shooting at the fish as well. A female with pink banger-style tentacles donning an agent uniform like the male. "We can't keep fighting them like this! I'm gonna run out of ink!" she exclaimed.

"Leave me and get inside," another inkling told her propped against the building near the doors. He was wearing a tight black shirt due to his agent outfit taking maximum damage from the fight. He was dragged to safety by the other agents.

"No, we're not leaving you out here to be bait for those salmonids," the female inkling told the male with the blue-hipster style tentacles. As he was holding his stomach, hurt from his battle with some of the chum.

Sam finally made it to the other side of the courtyard and pulled out her hero shot and began firing at the chum. As they got splatted into goo, the agents turned and looked to see where that yellow ink fire had come from.

"What are you looking at! Keep shooting!" she shouted at the stunned inklings when they stopped and stared at Sam. As soon as the chum thinned out another threat approached. A large, armored Salmonid called a steelhead appeared with a menacing expression. Frightened by the towering fish the inklings backed away, into the doors of the building. "Oh shrimp, a steelhead!" shouted the inkling girl agent.

Sam stared at it as the fish growled and tilted its head down as a sac inflated over its helmet and was swelling, getting bigger and bigger. Sam squid jumped in front of the trio of inklings and then jumped at the steelhead, knocking it in the jaw with her hero shot, dazing it momentarily as the sac full of fish goo was launched up and landed back down on the steelhead, splatting itself by its own goo-filled bomb. The explosion launched the green substance everywhere as the inklings took cover as to not get covered themselves.

When they came out, they changed back and looked around the goo-covered courtyard. It seemed the salmonid onslaught was over for the time being. "Just, who are you supposed to be!?" questioned the male inkling agent.

"The girl that just saved your squid butts, that's who," she answered back.

"We had it under control,"

"Sure, you did...so I'm assuming you're the squidbeak agents Cassie was telling me about,"

"Wait you talked to Cassie. She never told us about fighting salmonids!" exclaimed the pink-headed inkling girl.

"She probably didn't expect you too. The salmonids are supposed to be back up on the surface. I don't know how they got down here,"

"You never told us who you were squid. I can see you're wearing agent gear. Did agent 3 send you?" asked the green-headed agent.

"She did...said Sheldon lost contact with you and she got worried, being you guys are noobs,"

"NOOBS! I'm an experience turf war player! If anyone here's a noob it's Ash and Jet. Name's Flash by the way," he told Sam with a proud expression, putting his hand out for a shake.

"Flash? What kind of name is that?"

"A cool one. They call me flash because I'm so fast on the turf war stage. No squid can splat me. The only thing they see is me before their squid butts get inked. Yep, I'm well known back at Inkopolis Square,"

"Inkhead should be more like it. Don't listen to that guy. His name's Flash because he's always running from the fight like a scaredy squid," said the blue-headed agent, sitting up and still holding his chest from the injury.

"Shut up Jet! He's just jealous of my skills,"

"Yeah, real jealous," Jet shot back.

"You two stop bickering for once (sigh)," Ash snapped at the two. "Don't know what's worse, listening to you two squabble or dealing with the salmonid, I swear," she continued on, clearly annoyed by the male agents before turning her sights to Sam. "Thanks for saving our tentacles. I don't think we would've made it without you..."

"Sam," The inkling finished for her, giving the agent her name.

"Well, Sam... As Flash said, my name's Ash, short for Ashley. We got ambushed when we came here. Those salmonids came out of nowhere and we had no choice but to find a place to hide but those salmonids kept sniffing us out and then we ended up here trying to defend this place...and we're not alone, when we went inside the it was already fortified by the octarians here. Only a few octolings made it and they locked themselves in one of the jail cells inside. They wouldn't talk to us, some were still frightened by the salmonid attack. Jet got hurt while we tried to defend this place and we haven't had a chance to treat him," explained Ash.

"Well, it looks like things have calmed down. I say we better go inside while we can," Sam told the trio as she walked up the steps and past Flash.

Ash nodded and helped Jet up. Flash crossed his arms and looked away. The agents decided to go inside the police station so they could assess Jet and go over their next plan. They gathered around as Jet was sat on the floor, sitting against the wall as Ash tended to his injuries. "So... why would Cassie send you guys down here anyway, knowing how inexperienced you guys were," questioned Sam.

"Desperation...she knew how good I was and begged me to join this so-called squidbeak squad of hers. As for Ash and Jet. I just put in a good word for them," Flash told her.

"Liar," Muttered Jet as Ash wrapped his stomach.

"OK, give me the real reason why she would recruit you three," said Sam, seeing past Flash's ego and clearly not impressed with him.

"We were the only ones that volunteered. Everyone else was too busy with their heads on the turf battles or their shopping sprees. You know how us turfers get...it's a job to stay fresh," said Ash.

"She didn't tell you what you were getting into? Splatting octarians, going on dangerous missions, getting back the zapfish," said Sam, who was a quite stunned that agent 3 didn't inform them of the dangers they would go through. Remember what her sister told her what she did when she was agent 4.

"She only told us to just spy on the octarians. Said that they were up to something and that inklings were going missing. She assumed they were being squidnapped by the octarians but we haven't came across anyone except the octolings in the jail cell and those salmonids," said Ash as she finished up on treating Jet's injuries.

"I only came to find my girlfriend Izzy. She's one of the ones that went missing. Couldn't get a hold of her and even went by her apartment," Flash told Sam.

"Wait, you're looking for Izzy too. That's my sister," Sam revealed to the three.

"I didn't know she had a sister...she never mentioned you," pointed out Flash.

"Yeah, Izzy's my sister... and you're supposed to be her boyfriend," she said, looking critically at him.

"Yeah, so what of it," he said as he backed a little, getting a little distance from Sam. Apparently nervous with her.

"Oh squid, she knows how to pick em," Sam said with exasperation.

"Hey! I'm a cool squid once you get to know me...if we break up could I have your number," he said with protest but then tried to flirt with the inkling that he just found out was his girlfriend's sister.

"Get over yourself. I wouldn't go out with you even if you were the last squid on earth,"

"She shot you down Flash," gloated Jet as chuckled a little, but winced a little as he held his side.

"Look who's talking. You don't even have a girlfriend,"

"You two are seriously getting on my nerves," scolded Ash.

"Looks like I'm not getting any answers standing around here with you three. Maybe those octopi in the cell do," said Sam as she started to walk away from the agents.

"Good luck with that," said Flash.

Sam made her way to the back where the jail cells were and spotted the octolings sitting around inside of it. "Look another squid," popped off one of them. The three of them of stared at Sam, giving her a dirty look with their goggle-less faces. "Alright, here's the deal. You answer some questions, and I won't splat you. Nice enough and I might try to see if I can get you out of there," she told them.

"Kiss my ass inkstain!" shouted one of them.

"Yeah, go get inked! We don't need your help," popped off another.

"(growling) Listen here octopi! I'm being generous enough to let you out of that cage if you can answer my questions or you can just stay in that cage and we leave you for the salmonids. There's an idea,"

"You wouldn't dare squid,"

"I would,"

"(groaning) Fine! But you better come up with your end of the bargain. So whatcha want to know inkstain?"

"Why are the salmonids here in octo canyon? Why are they attacking you?" Sam asked them.

"That's a good question...let's just say we've reached a mutual roadblock with those ugly guppies. Seems they're biting the hand that feeds them since we've allowed them to migrate through our territory and gave them some of our octo tech to use on you inklings as part of our deal that they help us take over the surface world. Now...they stabbed us in the back," explained the octoling as she crossed her arms.

"Doesn't feel to food does it octopus. So those salmonids were supposed to be your allies when you attack Inkopolis. They're not that bright but it seemed they were smart enough to wait until your gullibility got the best of you octopi and they decided to use their numbers against you," said Sam as she gave her a spiteful expression.

"Keep laughing squid. You won't be smiling when they storm Inkopolis and splat everyone one of you miserable inkstains into puddles. Let's see you deal with them then," the octoling smiling back.

"We can handle some stupid fish,"

"Not when the mothership shows up over your city you won't with that goldie leading the attack. I know, that's what happened here. Any salmonid you've ran into are nothing but scroungers, sweepers to take care of any stragglers that were left over from the battle. Many of us went into the emergency underground tunnel network to escape. Don't know if anyone's left and our antennas were damaged by the attack so we couldn't get in contact with octo base and tell them about our dire circumstances. We used the police station as a fort and our last fall-back position before the mothership left. That's how we ended up here and the inkhead private closed the cell not realizing she locked it. I told you all I know, so let us out already," demanded the octoling.

"One more thing. I ran into another octoling before she tried to splat me, but she ended up splatting herself. She mentioned something about a ship called the Ark Polaris and humans. Care to iterate?"

"Why should you care and besides I'm telling an inkstain like you,"

"So be it. I guess you can deal with those fish once they come back. I'm sure they'll sniff you out eventually," said Sam as she turned away.

"Dammit! Fine squid! It doesn't matter anyway...(sigh) Ark Polaris was some kind of ship. Built by humans before their extinction or so we think by what we've found. Scarlet learned about it and sent a recon there, but we were impeded by the salmonids. They refused to let us near it and said it was part of their territory. So, the recon team notified base and a fight ensued. There were too many so what was left of the recon team fell back and reported it to octo command and Scarlet, let's just say was very displeased with the salmonids so we waged war even though they had already plans to try and invade our territory anyway,"

"What's Scarlet want with this ship?"

"Human technology, duh...and to see if we could find human remains but we also learned that the salmonids attacked and ate what human survivors were onboard. We don't know if any humans escaped...we can only conclude their dead if there were any alive that is,"

"So, I've heard that your leader is fixated on humans. Like you said...the humans are extinct and she's wasting her time," hiding her acknowledgment of Seth from the octolings.

"She's eager to find a preserved human somewhere as many times as we've uncovered their fossils. So yeah, I'll agree with you inkstain, she's wasting her time instead of focusing on splatting each and every one of squids. Now let us out already!" The octoling demanded as she grabbed the bars of the door and shook it.

"Hey! Have any luck with these octopi?" asked Flash who walked in.

"They told me what I needed to know. Now to let them out," said Sam with little enthusiasm.

"Are you nuts! They're gonna splat us at the first chance they get. Leave them in there!" Flash advised her, stunned that Sam would free their enemies.

"I made a deal with them. They answer my questions and I let them free but that doesn't mean I'm just gonna let my guard down," she told Flash. Then she looked at the octolings and stepped toward the door of the cell. "We work together as crazy as that sounds and I don't wanna see any weapons in your hands either," she told the octoling.

"How do you expect us to defend ourselves if those salmonids decide to return and take this inkhole,"

"That's your problem. I'm certainly not trusting you with a weapon and I also want you three to stay in sight at all times. No wandering off or I'll throw your butts back in this cell. Got it,"

"Why you miserable little inkstain. I'm not taking orders from some squid. I'd rather take my chances with the salmonids,"

"Then be my guest. You can leave this place and go out. I won't stop you,"

"(growling) Have it your way! When we get through this you better not turn your back on me squid,"

"I could say the same octopus,"

"Great, now we gotta worry about the salmonids and the octopi. I don't care if you're Izzy's sister or not and just because agent 3 sent you doesn't mean you're gonna boss us around make decisions for us either," protested Flash.

"Hey, you want some advice," said Sam. He turned his head to listen only to get punched by the inkling girl. "There's your advice. If I wanted your input I would've asked for it," she said as she loomed over Flash as he rubbed his cheek. He bared his fangs and stood up off the floor. Wanting to say something as Sam gave him a tempting look, he rethought the temptation and stormed back into the lobby of the station where Ash and Jet were hanging around.

"I like your spunk squid. You'd make a good drill sergeant in our ranks if you weren't an inkling that is," complemented the octoling on how she handled Flash.

"Just keep your beak zipped and we'll try to get along for now. Try anything and I'll ink you like those chum outside,"

"Yeah, whatever...just get us out of here already. I'm starting to get claustrophobic,"

Sam searched for a set of keys to open the cell door and finally came across them in a desk. Rushing back over to the cell, she turned to them, unlocking the bar doors. "Like I said," she started to warn the octolings.

"Thanks squid but don't think you did us a special favor or this puts us on good terms because the moment we leave this place and we're away from the fish. We're back to being enemies again and you better hope that I don't get a hold of a weapon," the octoling threatened the inkling as they stared at each, one glaring at the other. Not saying anymore the octolings headed into the lobby staying to themselves in one corner as the inklings did the other.

Back at octo base... an octoseeker descended down on a landing pad. It was nearing daybreak as the back hatch of the aircraft opened. A squad of octolings came out along with the elite, lieutenant Nova, who was a little scuffed up from the bar fight with Mirage's team, taking a hit from Luna's octo shot and narrowly escaping by blinding them with a smoke bomb and dashing away. She staggered across the pad and headed toward octo command. The octoling guards saw her approach and wondered what had happened to her. Nova just growled at them and headed in as she held her stomach from the ink shot by Luna.

Before Nova stepped into octo command, she was stopped and approached by Colonel Spectra of the commandos and Scarlet's right-hand octopus. "Ah, lieutenant. You're just the octoling I wanted to speak to. Looks as if you've taken a beating...how disappointing you would fail Scarlet yet again. At this rate you'll be bumped back down to a regular or maybe I should spare the trouble and have you splatted instead,"

"Colonel I can explain I..." Nova tried to defend herself but got waved off.

"I don't wanna hear it! Where's that lieutenant!?"

"KIA...we didn't expect..." getting cut off again.

"I expected you to come back with that human and the defectors dealt with but yet again you've failed. You bring shame and dishonor to yourself which begs the question on why you're standing before me right now. I want answers! Not excuses Nova...to think you were a part of the royal guard, entrusted with keeping DJ Octavio safe but then again you failed him too," Spectra demeaned the injured Nova.

Nova clinched her teeth as her hands shook before they balled up into a fist. Feeling so degraded by her failures that tears ran down her cheek. Going from anguish to pity by humiliation from Spectra, feeling she had lost all honor and purpose in the octarian army. "What do you have to say for yourself," Spectra asked her.

Nova raised her head, revealing her grief to the colonel standing before her. "How pathetic...an elite crying. You have no honor left Nova. Nothing to show...your best option is to leave octarian territory for good before I decide to place you in front of a firing squad,"

"Mirage...she's broke me...she's taken everything from me again," whimpered Luna before she fell to her knees and started crying.

Spectra was disgusted with Nova, seeing her break down. "Get her out of my sight!" she commanded her guards. They grabbed the elite up and dragged her away as she sobbed. Displeased by Nova, Spectra headed back inside octo command.

As the colonel stepped back inside, she was met by Captain Sable of the commandos. "Had a problem you had to deal with?" Sable asked with a smile.

"Yeah, a useless octoling that isn't worth a drop of ink. She has proven me that she isn't worthy to wear that uniform. I've given her the options of exile or death. She's got time to choose and then I'll deal with that little matter," Spectra told her.

"And what pray tell is that? Her or those defectors?" asked Sable.

"Both. One after the other. I have another task for you and your team captain. I want you to go back to the defector's base and install a set of hypnowave goggles on the human there. He poses a high risk for us if we are to assault that facility. Once you manage to sneak inside undetected you are to locate the human and place the goggles on him. Subdue him if you must and after the hypnowaves take effect vacate the scene and radio in that your task is complete," Spectra ordered her.

"What about the defectors themselves. What's your plan once you assemble a force large enough to take that place?"

"I'm sending two zeppelins full of troops. The attack will be led by the octo-samurai. The non-octarians such as the troopers will be the first to get deployed so we can see how large of numbers we're dealing with from the defects. This should draw them out and once they start acting the octolings will be placed on standby,"

"So why are we infiltrating their base to place the goggles on the human?"

"I'm going to use their secret weapon against them. If this human has befriended the defects or is aiding them in anyway. I thought it would be suiting that he would turn on them and surely, they wouldn't incapacitate their human ally would they. A fitting end to those traitors,"

"If the hypno goggles don't work?"

"Then the human dies and the octolings move in to finish off the defectors. The goggles have been equipped with a failsafe if should the hypnowaves show no effects on the human then they'll fry that brain of his. A camera has been installed on the goggles for our observation since this is a trial run. The scientists are still dealing with that other human in the lab. Not sure what's taking so long to see if the hypnowaves will even work on a human. I'm going down there to check up on their progress and something have better been done. Scarlet is expecting results,"

"Why are you willing to kill that human. I thought Scarlet wanted..."

"What's one human that is killed. We have another one under custody and as you've reported to me. There's many more where he came from. We may not even need to clone any humans. Our unsplattable army is sitting under those traitors' noses,"

"When are we getting deployed colonel?"

"As soon as possible and don't forget to retrieve the goggles from the lab before you leave...and captain. I don't expect failure,"

"Roger that, colonel. We won't let you down,"

"Excellent, you have my permission to leave,"

"Yes, ma'am," she saluted. "You heard her. Let's roll," Sable commanded her team as they left for the lab before heading back to the canyon to sneak into the facility.

Back in the lab. The researchers were contemplating how to compromise with the human inside the glass cell. Or what was once human. Donovan as his name was...changing. His hair nearly gone leaving tentacles protruding from his head. His eyes were reminiscent of an octopus's and his teeth now a black beak. "We've made no headway with the...human," pointed out Silas.

"I don't think it's even a human anymore. It's more like an octoling... sort of," said is associate.

"A hybrid I concur," said a third octoling researcher.

"None the less. Colonel Spectra is expecting us to have found out about our subject's biology as well as testing to see if the hypnowaves would have any effect on him. We have to do something and soon. Does anyone have any ideas?" asked Silas desperately.

"How about sedation?" suggested the female scientist.

"I would prefer we not resort to that if we can help it. I want to communicate with him and learn about him and his race and their technology and history,"

"But Silas you know we can't spare the time for that and besides he's unwilling to comply. We've tried getting his attention and ended up getting these odd gestures from him. Raising his hand and protruding his middle finger. I'm not sure what that could mean,"

"We have to keep trying. He's gonna want to talk sometime. Boredom will take hold and he'll have no choice but to want to communicate,"

"So you say Silas. There's no guarantee of that. He could always fall asleep too,"

"We're not sedating him. It could cause even more friction between us and him to know we're constantly putting that human under duress,"

"He's already hostile towards us. We placed him in a glass cage. I'm sure that's showing that human how hospitable we are and why should we care how we treat him. We're supposed to be studying him and seeing if the hypnowave goggles will work on him," said the female who was getting more frustrated with Silas.

"HEY!" shouted a voice. The researchers turned to the confinement and saw Donovan standing in front fo the glass wall looking at them. "If you octo heads don't mind. I need to run to the bathroom," he told them.

"Umm, I'm sorry but...I can't just let you out," said Silas.

"You expect me to piss on myself while I'm sitting in this fishbowl," Donovan snapped at them.

"Listen human, you've been placed under close observation and we're not just gonna release you whenever you ask," the female told him.

"I'm just some guinea pig to you aren't I. I listened in on your conversation. You wanna use me, well you can forget it. I'm busting out of here at the first chance I get and I don't give a shit how many of you there are. I'll fight my way out if I have to and take as many of you I can with me,"

"Well, there you go Silas. We just communicated with him. Uncompliant as expected from this human,"

"Now hold on, maybe we can find some common ground and try to understand one another," Silas told the other two scientist. Silas then approached the glass wall cautiously but giving himself a distance from Donovan who has expressed his displeasure with the octolings for holding him prisoner. "My name is Silas and this here is Eve my assistant and my other associate Marcus. We've always been eager to meet a real human and thought the day would never come. All we've ever come across were fossils of your race which we've always been fascinated about...now that's out of the way. What's your name and what can you tell us about humans?" Silas asked the Donovan.

"The name's Donovan. I never expected to wake up and find myself taken captive by some octopus-headed freaks. Wish I would've never gotten abducted and stuffed in that giant ice chest," Donovan told them.

"Abducted? What for?" asked Silas.

"Some end of the world project by those scientists. They were working on a super soldier program and shot something in my neck and then I find myself in some pod where I was frozen in time. That's when I find out it's been thousands of years, my race went extinct and now I'm talking to some creeps with octopus tentacles growing out of their heads,"

"We're called octolings to let you know, second...you say you're a human and we believe you're a human but... I don't think humans have tentacles and beaks. Care to explain why you do?" asked Eve who was very insecure with the human.

"Look! I'm getting tired of being asked that question. I have no F-ing clue!"

"Interesting...I would love to retrieve a blood sample from you,"

"Then why don't you come in here and get one,"

"You're luring me into an attack aren't you. I'm smart enough to know that human and I could've just resorted to sedating you, but I would rather try and be civil about things but yet you're making it difficult," Silas told him.

"Civil? You're the ones who placed me in this glass prison! I wake up tied to a bed! Humans are extinct! I get treated nothing more than some abnormality and you want me to be civil!"

"Yes...we could've just euthanized you and dissected you if we wanted but I strongly disapproved of it. You're too valuable to dispose of,"

"That makes me feel all cozy inside that you would allow me to live. How I see it, you would probably be doing me a favor. I feel like an animal in a cage and that I'm turning into some freak. My family is gone along with my race. I would rather be dead!"

"Why so morbid instead of accepting your survival. You should feel very fortunate to be in existence,"

"Yeah right...no... I feel as if the old me is fading away and soon I will remember nothing of my former self. I can't even recall my girlfriend's face or the home I once lived in. So go ahead and kill me! Dissect me! Do whatever!" Donovan raved at them, no longer having the will to live anymore. Urging the octoling scientists to just go ahead and kill him. Silas and his affiliates looked at each other wondering why the human would wish that on himself.

The lab entrance doors swung open. It was Colonel Spectra along with some guards. "So, what's the status and I better hear results," she told the group of scientists.

"Um, we haven't been able to test the goggles on the human subject colonel," said Eve nervously.

"What! Then why am I keeping you around for. My commandos have gone through all that trouble to obtain that human and you still have done nothing with it!" Spectra snapped at them angrily.

"Colonel, we're still trying to establish communications with the human. So far, he still doesn't trust us and..." explained Marcus.

"Do I honestly give a clam what it thinks. I expected you to have already come up with results and yet I go from one failure to another. Scarlet will be displeased which will obviously be brought up on me. Seems you can't do a simple job. Looks like you'll be sharing the same fate as that other scientist Silas. It's a real shame I'll have to let you go,"

"Colonel please, give us more time. We beg you," pleaded Marcus.

"I've given you enough time," said Spectra as she signaled her guards to grab Silas. Two octolings apprehended Silas as Eve covered her face. "Spectra, I'm begging you to reconsider this!" shouted Marcus.

"I'm not waiting for things to get done! You know the penalty for failure!" Spectra shouted at them.

"Don't do this...it's my fault. Let go of Silas," Begged Marcus. Spectra signaled her guards to stop before they dragged him out of the lab.

"You're fault. Silas is in charge...if nothing has been accomplished then he should have to answer for it," Spectra pointed out.

"No, it's because of me...I'm the one that suggested we try and talk with the human before we place the goggles on him. We wanted to learn so much about him and his race. Isn't that what Scarlet wants too. Think about everything we could learn from him," Marcus defended their actions.

Spectra knew the octoling was right, but she felt he was also biding his time. So she decided to release Silas but ordered her guards to place Marcus under custody for taking the wrap for not completing their assignment. "Consider this a fair warning, next time this octoling scientist will be splatted...and that goes for everyone else. Take him out of here," Spectra warned before commanding the guards to take Marcus out of the lab.

"Thank you for sparing Silas colonel," said Eve.

"Don't think you're off the hook. When I return, I expect something done or your associate will be staring down the end of an octo shot. Now get to work," said Spectra coldly as she left the lab, following her guards with Marcus being led away.

"We have no choice but to sedate the human now or Marcus will be put to death. I don't want his ink on my hands," said Eve.

"Neither do I... we'll sedate the human then. Prepare the..." Silas told Eve before he was interrupted.

"Hold it!" shouted Donovan behind the glass getting the attention Eve and Silas. "What does that piece of calamari that took your friend want? And what are these goggles she's insinuating that I wear anyway?" he asked the two.

"Why are you caring all of a sudden?" asked Eve snidely.

"Eve, please... She wants to test the hypnoshades on you to see if you'll be affected by them and placed under our control. Our leader wants to create an unstoppable army to defeat the defectors and invade the surface," Silas explained to him.

"Sounds like some corny sci-fi movie plot. Why me? And what are these defectors and what about the surface?" he asked them.

"Because you're a human. Immune to our ink, well kind of. You won't burst into ink when you get hit but it still seems our ink affects you differently. That's why we needed a human or at least your DNA to clone more of you but what I've understood. There are more humans like you...whether they're changing like you or not. As for the defectors, they are our enemy. Octolings like us but they choose to go against Scarlet and her plans to take the surface," explained Silas.

"So, we're underground? What for?" he asked the two octolings.

"My species, the octolings have been forced underground by the inklings. The inklings are like us but squid-based. We were banished during the great turf war. A war between the octarians and the inklings that raged over a hundred years ago and resulted in our defeat...but that will change once you and other humans at our disposal will create the army we need to rightfully take back the surface world and reestablish our proud empire,"

"Super soldiers huh. The same kind of program I was supposed to go through. I was a soldier, remembering vaguely from before my big freeze. So your people or whatever you call yourselves are waging war against these defectors and ink things. Why am I so important for your cause?"

"Like I said, because you're a human and if you don't remember there's supposed to be more of you as I've heard from the reports. You were retrieved from a facility the defectors are using as a base of operations in one of the outer domes in the canyon. That location is supposed to be housing more humans, enough to supplement our goals to creating our unsplattable army instead of trying to clone humans using DNA from the fossils which we've failed countless times to do. All we ask is that you wear the goggles,"

"And be some mindless grunt for you. Not happening...but I do have a proposition...and that's I'll be willing to fight for you if that means getting back to that facility. I don't know if my girlfriend was abducted like I was, but we planned on getting married and I loved her. She was a soldier like me, and I remembered she was pulled for the super soldier like I was. There's a good chance she's there,"

"You would be willing to fight for us. How do we know if you're willing to keep your end of the deal. Spectra specifically requested that you wear the goggles being her distrust for you and your kind. I'm not sure how she or for that matter Scarlet would take having a human fight alongside with us without any constraint or control," Eve told him.

"Then let me talk to your so-called leaders and I'll try to negotiate with them. My only goal is to get back to the facility. I'll fight alongside you octopus heads if that gets me closer to finding my girlfriend,"

"It's octolings and I'm not sure about this human," said Eve.

"The name's Donovan...and it's that or I won't help you,"

Silas pondered on what to do but his assistant urged the scientist to not consider Donovan's proposition. "Silas, don't do it... He's gonna escape at the first chance he gets or worse, kill us," said Eve as she gripped Silas's shoulder.

"I feel I shouldn't but he's willing to discuss things with Spectra or Scarlet herself, then maybe we should take the offer. Marcus's life is on the line. I'm not sure what else to do...we only have a short amount of time until Spectra returns," said Silas as removed Eve's hand from his shoulder and gripped it as he turned and looked back up at Donovan.

'What's it gonna be?" he asked with his arms crossed.

"Very well," Silas replied.

"Silas, think about what you're doing?" Eve urged him.

'This better not be a ploy. Escape is futile...you try, and there will be consequences. Be grateful I'm doing this and not for you but my colleague's sake,"

"I won't pull anything...just take me to your leader. Wow that felt a little ironic, you being the aliens and me asking to be brought to your leader. Kind of funny,"

"Alright, I'll let you out. No funny business, I can call in the guards whenever I need to,"

As soon Silas unlocked the cell door. Donovan slowly stepped out, the two octolings on guard waiting to see what the human would do, if he was even still a human that is. Once he was out he went to try and crack his neck, but he didn't fell anything. No bones or a sound at all. "Huh, what the..." he said. Then he tried bending his fingers back but they didn't crack neither but instead flexted back more than they should of. "What's going on? My fingers shouldn't be doing that," he said, starting to get concerned.

Silas and Eve looked at each and also noticed that Donovan's head was a little large from before he was placed in the glass cell as well as his eyes which had rings around them as his body had gotten shorter, but he still maintained a height taller than the octoling scientists by nearly a foot.

"I don't think you have any bones. I can tell by your movement," said Silas.

"Then how the heck am I able to stand up. I would need a spine to maintain my posture or even move my limbs," said Donovan, looking at the two with confusion.

"You see, we can do the same, but we don't have bones. Our body contains air cavities and our muscular system itself holds our body structure. How I look at it now, you're more octoling than human," said Silas.

"This...can't be happening. This just can't be," Donovan started to panic.

"If that's the case then...keeping you is near pointless but anything a curiosity in mild terms. If Scarlet sees you she'll be almost convinced that you're some tall octoling with physical abnormalities...if you were to return to that place and find your mate, would she even recognize you?" Silas asked him, seeing the valid point the octoling scientist was making.

"I... can't believe this. Why did this happen to me!? I've lost my home, my girl...and now I'm losing my humanity...I have no reason to live," said Donovan as his face darkened and his fists shook.

"Yes you do...and that's serving Scarlet. We made a deal and that's if I freed you, you would talk to our leaders," Silas reminded him as Donovan looked at him with a little disdain.

"So I did, didn't I... answer me this one then. You said you needed humans for this so-called unstoppable army because I'm supposed to be immune to ink. Now that I'm less human and turning into an octo-ling what use would I be for this army and your leader then?"

"He's got a point...what do we do now Silas," said Eve.

"I say he still needs to talk to Scarlet. I say he's salvageable and still of use for us, human or octo-human, whatever the term may be," Silas told the female scientist. "Donovan was it...it's evident you're transforming into one of us. You've awoken to a new world where humans have gone extinct and now you feel as if you don't belong or feel you have no purpose. I'm willing to change that or should I say Scarlet maybe willing to...think on that. You were a soldier before you were placed in suspension, and you can be a soldier again. How I see it you were brought here for a reason,"

"Why are trying to sugar coat this. How dare you play with my emotions. I've lost everything and you would be so blatant as to say something like that to me. If this place wasn't so guarded, I'd rip those tentacles right off your head...but then again, pondering on what you just said. You think you can give me solace by granting me some kind of purpose as if it was fate that woke me up in this strange and crazy world and that I'm here because of this new reason. You've got my curiosity...I'll honor my proposition and see where this goes and If I don't like where this is headed then I advise not being around,"

"Silas, I don't think this was a good idea. I'm regretting going along with this. I hope you know what you've gotten us into," said Eve.

"Like you, I'm having second thoughts but it's too late. He's going along with what I've told him. I suggest we go along too," said Silas.

"What? Are we nervous now...don't tell me you're backing out," Donovan looked at them.

"Of course not...this gives us an opportunity or should I say you an opportunity to serve in the octarian army and fulfil a purpose you so desire," Silas told him, hiding his doubts from the human.

"Enough of the sweet talk and let's go meet this leader of yours," Donovan told him, seeing through the octoling.

As the octoling scientist took Donovan to see Scarlet. Deeper in octo base, Nova was sitting in an isolated cell, deciding whether to leave octarian territory or face the firing squad. She was given time to choose but her nerves were working overtime and she was badly losing it to the point she was hearing voices in the cell and then seeing hallucinations. The elite was curled up on a small bed. Shaking and holding her head as tears ran down her cheek. Her armor was stripped away as well as her boots, leaving her with her top and shorts.

"Failure! No honor left! What a disgrace!" shouted voices in her head as she clutched the covers under her. Grabbing the pillow and placing it over head to suppress the voices. After a moment, the voices repeating themselves again and louder and more prevalent, she screamed and threw the pillow against the wall and punching her bed as she clinched her teeth.

'GAAAAHHHH! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" she yelled.

Not taking it anymore she rushed toward the door, running into it and gripping the little barred window on top of it. "MIRAGE! THIS ISN'T OVER FOR YOU!" she screamed out toward the vacant hallway.

She let go of the bars and slid down the door until she sat on the floor and got into a fetal position as she cried in her knees. Then she heard another voice, a familiar voice that made her lift her head to see someone standing in the cell, looking at her. Her expression turned from shock to pure anger as she bared her beak. "What are doing here. Come to watch me suffer," she told the character which revealed to be a hallucination that bared the resemblance to Mirage.

"Tisk, Tisk, Tisk...It's a shame it's had to come to this Nova," the hallucination told her, shaking their head with a smug expression at the angry elite sitting on the floor.

"Don't you dare show me pity...it's you who did this to me in the first place!" Nova screamed.

"Why do you got be like that. I've come all this way to come and visit you before...whatever it is Spectra's got in store for you,"

"You smug octowinch...how about you just fight me instead! I killed that human lover of yours," said Nova as she stood up.

"Picking a confrontation. You better chose your battles wisely Nova. You saw where that landed you,"

"RAAAHHH!" Nova growled as she lunged at the hallucination. Vanishing, Nova looked around and saw she disappeared. "Fight me you traitor! Go ahead and let's finish this!"

"Hmpf...you should see how pathetic you look right now. It's sad that this is what has become of you. A shell of your former self" the voice said followed by laughter.

"Shut up and show yourself! face me coward!"

"I'm not the coward Luna. Better look in the mirror," said the voice as Nova spotted a mirror hanging on the wall not revealing her reflection but Mirage. She growled and ran toward the mirror and busted it. Cutting her hand as ink dripped on the floor. Jeering and grabbing her hand she fell to her knees. "Darn you Mirage," she winced.

"Come now Nova. I was always better than you. Just admit it,"

"I SAID SHUT THE INK UP!"

(The voice laughing in her head) Nova grabbed her head and bent over. She would've loved nothing but to end this and kill her former partner from when they were both in the royal guard but then the knob of the door turned. Opening, a shadow casted over the crazed octoling as she peeked and saw Spectra with her guards at the doorway. "Did I miss something lieutenant?" she said to Nova, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.

"Mirage...she was just here, taunting me and..." stammered Nova as she waved her arms.

"I think you've lost it...more the reason to dispose of you. I would suggest you get your act together and collect what little dignity you have left and decide your fate Nova. What's it gonna be. Exile...or death,"

"Spectra I'm begging you please...give me one more chance. I want Mirage's head mounted on the wall. Let me..." pleaded Nova as cuffed her hands and approached Spectra.

"Negative! You've had chance after chance...I will not settle for a third failure. Like I said, you have one of two options. Pick one or I'll choose for you,"

"I... can't," Nova's arms dropping as she downed her head, holding her tears back.

"...very well, I'll be sympathetic, seeing you like this...instead of shaming you which you rightly deserve. I'll offer a third option," Spectra told the emotionally broken elite.

"And that's," Nova asked anxiously, only getting a reply of Spectra handing her an N-Zap.

"It's only loaded with one drop of ink. I think you know what this means," said Spectra as Nova stared at it and then gave the colonel a horrifying look. "I'm sparing you humiliation in front the troops. Seeing a once proud octoling being executed for failing her duties. I'll give you a dignified way out of this and you know what this has to come to," said Spectra giving a half smile to Nova which made her even more traumatized.

Nova had a tear ran down her cheek as she downed her head and held the N-Zap, dangling from her hand. "Consider yourself given an honorable discharge...goodbye Nova," said Spectra.

The colonel left and closed the door behind her, locking the cell and letting Nova do what she knew had to be done. Nova slowly walked over to the bed and sat down. She rose her head with an emotionless expression, staring at the door Spectra walked through and exited, leaving her to self-execution. Her face was blank, no sign of anger, sorrow or ounce of fear could be seen in the elites's eyes. The octoling slowly raised the N-Zap to her head with the finger on the trigger. The view turned to the outside of the cell, facing the metal door that Nova's room was behind with nothing but the sound of the shot from the N-Zap echoed down the cold empty corridor leading to the lieutenant's cell.

Back at the underground facility. It was nearing daybreak and time was of the essence for the defectors before the octarian army would come storm the facility and crush their opposition that setup a base in the underground complex. Mirage, Kelly, and Maxine had gathered their troops together to contemplate their strategy to keep a hold of the facility against Scarlet's forces who they predicted would sometime soon stage an assault on their base and collect the humans and the technology they left behind.

"Alright, this is it. As we went over. Kelly and her squad will provide an overwatch at the abandoned shop at the edge of the dome near the kettle. It's the only way into the dome. Large access tunnels hidden behind the monitors around that area will allow the octarians to mobilize air-based machines like the octoseekers and octozepplins to enter the dome. Once they enter, Kelly's team will radio in of their presense and set up traps on the road between their lookout position and the housing below the hill," explained Mirage.

"After that me and the others will join up with Maxine's unit and the tentacles, in which they want to prove themselves," said Kelly as she looked over at the twintacle and the other non-octolings.

"Hey, we may have little legs and no hands but that doesn't mean we're useless," said the twintacle.

"You're unarmed and don't have scooters to ride on. How do the shell do you expect to fight an entire army you dumb tentacle," popped of Maxine.

"I know how...that human vehicle back in the warehouse. That tank thing we messed with," said the twintacle.

"Tank thing? What are you blabbering about," replied Maxine.

"The one I yanked those pathetic tentacles out of. You can forget it...one, you don't know how to use that thing and two it's sitting down there with no way of getting it outside. Did you ever think about that?" pointed out Mirage.

"I um, thought it would've been a good idea," said the twintacle, feeling embarrassed as it twiddled its foot.

"Does anyone else has got any bright ideas...no, then let's get back to what we were discussing and that's our defenses. Kelly and Maxine's forces will try to hold back the octarians that enter the housing and slow them down. If they feel overwhelmed they will fall back up the hill and that will be our last line of defense. We can't have this spill into the facility itself if we can help it. We hold the line above the base and we prevent those inkheads from coming into the facility," explained Mirage.

"What if our efforts fail, then what's the incentive commander? What about the inklings, Seth and the humans?" Luna brought up.

"Luna's got a point...we don't know how big of a force or what they're bringing to the battle," said Maxine.

"I'm praying not a large enough force they can't handle, assuming Nova or octo command itself thinks there's only a small contingent of us that are occupying this place and they send nothing more than a few platoons to deal with us. We're gonna have a disadvantage if they do send aircraft but we have to prepare for anything that gets thrown our way, after all we destroyed the octoweapons factory and I'm sure they're pretty inked about that and won't underestimate us. I predict they'll deploy enough troops to overwhelm us and tire us out," said Mirage.

"Is there anything else that could ensure we'll even make it out of this. We're fighting long odds here lieutenant and I'm sure our luck will eventually run out," asked Maxine.

"I do...Seth said he was praying over his wife's grave as he called it and... maybe that's something that we could do to lift our doubts up and put us at ease that we'll win this coming battle and make sure that the octarians don't take this facility. We're not only defending our lives but the lives of the inklings, Seth and the humans still sleeping in those pods,"

Mirage stepped forward in the middle of the group and downed her head as she placed her hands together and prayed that they could achieve victory over their enemies and prevent them from taking the facility and doing harm to them and the other occupants inside. The octolings and tentacles bowed their heads and copied the elite and after a moment she raised her head and looked at the octolings.

"I feel...better, uplifting I would say," said Kelly.

"Me too...maybe we can win," said Melony.

"As the lieutenant put it. With faith on our side, I think we have a fighting chance to know a higher force is watching over us, answering our calls for victory," said Maxine.

"I think we can win...no we will win," said Mirage as confidence grew in her voice. "What do you all say?" she turned looking at the crowd.

"YEEEEAAAAHHHH!" they all shouted.

"I say we kick the octarians back to the valley and show Scarlet the defectors mean business!" shouted Maxine.

"YEEEEAAAAHHHH!" they shouted again.

The octolings clutched their weapons and placed their goggles over their eyes, ready and determined to face their enemies. Kelly and her team headed off, to provide eyes for the defectors before the octarians entered the dome. Maxine gathered her platoon along with her sister to go setup defenses and fighting positions inside the neighborhood outside the facility. As Mirage watched she was filled with the fighting spirit, feeling confident that they would defeat their foes and protect the inklings and the humans. The elite felt a tap on her should and saw Luna and Star were looking at her. "Hey, we wanted to say...thank you for the speech. I admit I was skeptical of this faith thing, and it got me believing that we can't always rely on ourselves to get through the day," said Luna.

"We all have battles we can't face on our own. Glad you understand that lieutenant. This place has been a godsend for us and meeting Seth. Before, I wasn't sure how much longer we were gonna make or even get to the surface. As commander, I'll admit that I can't always come up with the solutions and always be there for you guys. We're not just a squad...we're family, practically sisters...and I'll keep saying that after our battle with Scarlet's forces. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna have a word with Vee since she wasn't present," said Mirage as she walked off down the corridor toward the medical bay.

"Is Vee going to be fighting alongside us?" asked Star.

"Negative...She'll stay with Seth. There's something I need to tell her," replied Mirage.

As the elite was making her way to the medical bay, she stumbled into Vee who had just ran down the hall, stopping once she saw Mirage. "L... lieutenant, I was just about to come and get you. It's Seth, he's awake but..." Vee started to tell her.

"Seth's awake...that's good news but what is it?" she asked the private, seeing the concern on her face.

"Well, he...you'll have to come see," said Vee as she waved her leader to follow her back to the medical bay.

The two rushed toward the medical bay and entered the room. Mirage stopped and looked at Seth noticing something different about his eye. His left eye was green with a blue iris, around it was purple eye mark that was reminiscent of the octolings. Seth turned to the two who was sitting on the edge of the bed shortly after he had just woken up. "Huh, how long have I been out...and why are you looking at me like that?" asked Seth.

"Umm, Seth are you..." Mirage was hesitant to ask.

"Am I what? why are you wearing that gear?" he asked Mirage, noticing she was sporting a tactical vest similar to one he wore.

"I'll tell you here in a minute. Do you feel strange at all?"

"No except my chest hurts...what happened?"

"(deep sigh) ...back at the bar, Nova and her team broke in and... you were stabbed in the chest. I thought you were dead Seth. I thought I had lost you," said Mirage as she walked over to hug him. As soon as she pulled off he looked at her. "I guess I can't recall...how long have I been out?"

"Only for a couple of hours. You're lucky...thanks to Kelly and her medic. It's because of her we're talking right now and that you're not under a pile of dirt,"

"I'm sorry Mirage it's just that...my thoughts haven't come back. I don't know if it's because of my time being unconscious or what it is. I'm glad to see you two again...where's the others?"

"Since Vee is here, I might as well tell you both something,"

As 15 minutes passed, Mirage explained what had happened the night she and Seth went to the bar to refresh his memory. After that she had informed both Seth and Vee about the current situation about the inevitable battle that was coming between them and the octarians. She told Seth about her growing faith and how it had helped her out and how crucial is was to her and the other octolings. He smiled and was happy to hear that she believed in something other than what she learned from in the octarian army.

She pulled the cross necklace from around her neck and handed back to Seth. Taking it, he looked at it and placed it in his pocket. It seemed the stab wound had already healed, leaving a indention on his chest.

"Seth...I wanted to tell you that...I feel that as I put you in danger. If I wouldn't have suggested in us going on a date that wouldn't have happened. I should've made sure Nova was dead back at the octoweapons factory before me and the others left. I brought you in the middle of my problems and I could've lost you and..."

"Quit blaming yourself!" Seth told her. "You talk about having faith...well have faith in yourself, stopping carrying your burdens, Mirage. Is that talk coming from a leader?" he asked as she paused before slowly shaking her head.

"No it isn't...I'm still here aren't I," he told her. The elite turned her head and bit her lip. She wanted to say more and challenge Seth, but it was apparent she couldn't. She looked at Seth who was giving the octoling a stern look. Mirage felt a pair of arms wrap around her and saw Vee hugging her.

"We're in this together lieutenant...and I don't care what you say," said Seth.

"Thick as ink big sis," Vee told her, smiling at the elite.

"What did I tell you about calling me lieutenant," she told Seth, placing her hands on her hips and giving him a stern look.

"You gonna make me do push-ups...lieutenant," he said with a smirk.

"You've doubled it," smirking back. "Vee I'd like to ask you to leave. There's one more thing I want to discuss with Seth," turning her attention to the private.

"Are you sure," Vee asked.

"Yes, please," said Mirage.

"You got it Mirage," she told her as Vee walked out, looking back for a moment at the two, wondering what Mirage wanted to talk to Seth about alone...but she probably already knew what it was and why her commander didn't want her around.

Seth started kneeling down to get himself in position to do his push-ups for calling Mirage out on her rank. As he began, Mirage looked at him and walked over in front of him. "What the shell are you doing?" she asked him.

"Um, push-ups, what's it look like,"

"Get up...it was a joke Seth,"

"I should have known. I don't know when to take you literally anymore. You asking Vee to leave, I know where this is headed," he said as he stood up in front of the elite.

"I'm sure you do...as you now know about our circumstances. We intend to hold them off as much as we can and now I come to you and request that you leave,"

"Leave? Mirage I'm not running away from a fight,"

"It's you and these other humans they want. So don't argue and just go away, get out of here before they show up. I can't bare it knowing they could take or worse you getting killed...this time,"

"What about you? What about the others? Sticking together...faith...what happened to all that,"

"I don't wanna do this but it's for your own good. Now I'm ordering you to leave the facility and I mean it,"

"I can't do that," Seth protested.

"Dammit, I'm giving you a direct order so don't argue with me! I..." she raised her voice at him but then he landed a kiss on her lips. The elite turned pink and didn't resist the compassionate gesture to calm her down. He pulled away and she looked at him with a blushed expression on her face, stunned a little from what he did. "You know I love you and I would be willing to die for you and you'd would do the same for me. I'm part of your squad and I'm staying," he told her.

"You...Seth, I love you too," she said as she broke down into tears and grabbed him, pulling him into a hug and a deep kiss. Mirage fell on top of Seth in the bed and pulled off. The two smiled at each but as Seth tried to sit up, Mirage pushed him back down. "You, know...we won't know if me or you will make it out of this...I mean the battle that is," she told him.

"Don't talk like...we will make it. I'm sure of it," he told her.

"Well...give me a reason to fight hard and something worth winning," said Mirage before pulling off the tactical vest and throwing it on the floor. Seth was stuck in the motion of things seeing the octoling starting to disrobe. She began untying the shirt that was wrapped her chest, tossing to the side as Seth blushed at the bare-chested octoling. "Umm...uh, Mirage I..." he stuttered before she covered his mouth.

"Don't ruin this moment between us," she told him before locking lips with him. Holding his head with one hand and undoing his pants with the other. Froze by the elite's affection he was unable to resist...but something did stop the two...all of a sudden, the ceiling vent fell, and a green squid dropped down on the floor.

Mirage took her lips off Seth and turned her attention to the green squid laying on the floor. Both of them looked and were surprised by the interloper who had been watching the two from the vent only to blow there cover and fall in front of the pair of lovebirds.

"What the ink!" The octoling shouted. They changed to their normal form and held their head before turning around to face the intimate couple. "Freakin' Squid! What's the big idea just dropping in here on us like that!" Mirage shouted at them as she grabbed the bed covers and shielded her body from the inkling.

"Guess that was one way of stopping you two," she told them. Mirage and Seth didn't recognize the inkling girl. She wasn't in the inkling group that was in the facility. Who was she and where did she come from? Seth noticed she was wearing some kind of tattered clothing with patchwork, covering her black long sleeve top. On her head was a captain's hat. "The name's agent 3...and you must be the human," she told Seth.

"Agent 3! That squidbeak that defeated Octavio years ago!" shouted Mirage, surprised the same agent she was supposed to stop and protect Octavio from showed up out of the blue and right in the middle of her intended intimacy with Seth.

"You've heard of me and you should octopus...and I'm assuming you're wanting to know why I'm here," Agent 3 told her.

"You just come crashing in here while me and Seth were..." ranted the elite, clearly angry with the inkling, baring her fangs and her face turning red.

"About to mate...I can't let you do that," the inkling finished as she adjusted her cap.

"How dare you tell me what I can and can't do squid! You best ink out of here before I splat your squid butt," the octoling threatened her.

"I'd say you got a bigger problem on your hands and as for the human, Seth was it...he's the reason I'm here," turning her attention toward the human.

"What do you want with him?" The elite gazing at the agent as she crossed her arms.

"First, I made a promise to find you by an old friend, you know as Sam,"

"Wait, Sam... where is she? Is she alright?" asked Seth.

"I've assigned her to hunt down some agents. Rookies. She's a squidbeak agent now, like me even though she hated the idea but I told her that I would locate you and make sure you were ok. It seems she likes you, even though you got an octopus getting cuddly with you," said the agent as she gave smirk.

"Ink off! Or I'll do it for you!" Mirage, pointing her finger at her, seeing smoke shoot out of her ears.

"Before this octoling picks a fight she'll soon wish she hadn't. You look...somewhat familiar to me. Does the name Max ring any bells?" asked the agent as she examined Seth, laying her hand under her chin.

"Max? I don't know a Max," he answered.

"No brother or anything like that?"

"Sorry," he kept replying. "So, your the agent 3 Sam was talking about. Said you refused to help her find her sister,"

"Look, I didn't blantantly refuse her help. Agent 4 is my friend, but the situation is complicated and I guess Sam left that out. I wanna find Izzy as bad as she does but the octarians are up to something. They've not only taken the zapfish but they're abducting inklings too and I'm trying to get to the bottom of this. No pun intended being the octolings live underground,"

"And just whose fault is that squid," pointed out Mirage.

"And who started the great turf war? Give me a break octopus, I didn't come here to start a quarrel with you and the rest of those octopi. I know you don't pose a threat to me and my species so how I see it we're on the same side,"

"I don't see it that way...so let me put this in the nicest fashion. How about you carry your squid butt back to Inkopolis or wherever you came from and I won't stomp the living ink out of you!"

"I'm ignoring you now," said the agent before turning her attention toward Seth. "So you don't know a Max. I've been in that large room full of those pods housing the humans. One of those pods smelled like him. We took him in when he was very young, my folks did anyway. He couldn't remember anything. Where he came from. Who he was so we named him Max. You look a lot like him...you sure you don't know him,"

"Wait...you said your family took him in. When?"

"I'd say 10-15 years ago,"

"You said one of the pods smelled like him. Which pod?"

"Umm some opened pod. It was across from another pod that was opened too,"

"It has to be him...my son! Sarah told me a family of inklings took him in. It can't be a coincidence...this Max you're talking about has to be my son! Where is he!?" Seth frantically asked her.

"I don't know," she answered.

"What do you mean you don't know,"

"That's it. I don't know. He left Inkopolis a year ago and I hadn't heard from him since...but Sam did mention seeing him in a place known as the splatlands,"

"Sam did mention another human...that settles it. It has to be him, and his name isn't Max it's Virgil. I have to find him and let him know that his father is still alive," said Seth as he pulled his pants up and started to get off the hospital bed. Mirage grabbed his arm and held him. "Seth, you don't know that for sure...think about it before you do anything, let's get back to...you know," she said to him. "And you! Squid! Take a hike!" she growled at the agent.

"Mirage, I think we should hold off,"

"What! All because of you thinking this Max is your son,"

"I know he is,"

"And how do you expect to find him. You don't know where this splatlands even is. I've never even heard of it,"

"Guess I'll find out soon enough but first things first. Getting ready for the battle with the octarian army. I'll grab my gear and rifle from the supply bay,"

"Seth! Come back here!" she shouted at him as he rushed out of the room. "Way to go inkstain! You ruined my chance," glaring angrily at the inkling.

"I like to think of it as doing him a favor. He seems more focused on finding my brother but animosity aside...you two seem like a good couple. Sorry I ruined your moment,"

"Whatever squid," she sulked as she crossed her arms. "To think I was going to give him a good inking"

"OK, too much info," said the agent as she covered her ears.

"So what do you plan on doing. You hanging around or are you squiddin' out of here," asked the elite as she grabbed the shirt and wrapped it around her chest.

"I might stick around...and help you out, after that I'm heading back. I've been underground long enough for one day. Plus, agents 1 and 2 are probably wondering why I haven't returned," said Agent 3 as she turned away. "Oh and FYI. You aren't the only one whose got a thing for that human. Seems my new agent has a thing for him too. I could pick up on that," she said giving the elite a grin before leaving.

Seth made his way to the warehouse to grab his gear. Once he had entered, he was jumped and pinned to the floor before he would grab his gear and weapon he needed before the battle with the octarians. On his stomach, he felt someone grabbing his head and keeping their weight on him so he couldn't get up. Struggling he tried turning his head to see his aggressor or should I say aggressors. It was the octo commandos. Wearing their helmets with the NV goggles attached to them and fully covered with no exposed stomachs and black armor. One of them on top of Seth's back keeping him down and holding his head. While the other two had their octo shots aimed at him. The leader Captain Sable, lifting up her googles and crouching down in front of Seth with a smile.

"So you're the human I've been hearing about. I would say it's a pleasure to met you but I'm sure you're not in a disposition to say the same thing," said the captain.

"Who the heck are you?" he jeered.

"Captain Sable of the octo commandos...and you're new commander,"

"Funny...you picked the wrong person to ambush,"

"I can assure I didn't...and that wasn't a joke human. Let's just say your about to switch sides and aid us on our little mission. You're gonna help us deal with those traitors, understand,"

"You can go screw yourself. You think I'm gonna help you. You gotta nother thing coming once I get free and grab my rifle," Seth kept struggling with the commando holding him down.

"You're the one that's got another coming to you. Hand me the goggles," she commanded one her teammates. Grabbing the hypno goggles, Seth shot her a glare as he bared his teeth, trying get up but the octoling was very stout. "Struggle if you must. After this you won't be struggling anymore and you will have no choice but to follow my orders," Sable told Seth.

She then noticed his left eye was different, green and blue with a purple eye ring around it like hers. "Interesting...what's with your eye? Doesn't matter, it'll be covered up by the goggles," she said as she started to place the hypno goggles over Seth's face.

"Get that shit away from me," Seth told her as she shook his head.

"Hold his head still!"

"Gah, Mmmm..." The octoling grabbed his head and held it firm.

The commando activated the goggles as the lens glowed red. "No!" he shouted as the shades were placed over his eyes. Seth felt the hypnowaves affecting him as he fought their influence working on him. He growled and shouted, struggling to keep his will but after a minute. Unable to have the strength to stay in control, his body went limp for the moment. The commando getting off his back as the rest of them watched to see if the goggles had any control over Seth.

"Respond...you will obey my commands," ordered Sable to Seth as his body started to move. He sat up and held his head, looking up at the elite. Then he slowly stood up and faced her as the other commandos aimed their weapons, prepared if the goggles failed to control the human.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied plainly.

"Excellent, the goggles worked after. Inform octo command that the goggles have effectively manipulated the human. We have him under our control now," said Sable. "Listen to me human. You're under the direction of the octarian army and your orders are kill the defectors. Do you understand,"

"Yes, ma'am," he replied robotically.

"Good, retrieve your weapon and follow your new orders," Sable commanded him.

"Right away Captain,"

"I wasn't sure if the goggles would have any effect. The mission turned out to be a success. Spectra will be pleased to hear about this. Let's follow that human and see what else has been stored in this place we could use," said Sable as they headed toward the back.

The commandos were at awe seeing all the left-over military equipment. UTVs, Humvees, tanks and other military hardware. They explored and scavenged through some weapons crates, studying the guns. "This place is a treasure trove of human tech. If the octarians had this equipment, we would be unstoppable. There's no doubt between the humans and all this technology we would take over the surface within minutes," said one of the commandos.

"That's why we have to take this facility. Spectra and the rest of them would be inking themselves right now seeing all this weaponry," said Sable. She turned her head and saw a now brainwashed Seth grabbing his gear from out of one of the crates after he checked one of the rifles. "Once he's prepped and ready. He'll go out and deal with those traitors then all that will be left is taking control of this place and storming inkstain territory. Victory will be assured," said Sable.

"Not on my watch!" shouted a voiced that echoed through the supply bay.

"Huh, who said that!" yelled Sable, stunned by voice and looking around with their octo shots held up.

"I did!" the voice shouted again. The commandos turning to an inkling standing on top of the turret of the IFV. Her cape covering her body as she turned her head and jumped into the air landing her hero shot on the captain's head and knocking her to floor as she gargled. The inkling shot another commando and rolled to evade the other's ink fire and shot at a third commando as she octo formed and swam to cover.

"You're gonna pay for that inkstain," sneered the captain as she got up and shot at the squidbeak agent. The inkling squid formed and jumped out of her line of fire and landed back down near Seth. "Seth, listen to me we need to stop these..." she started to tell him but when he turned and faced her she noticed he was wearing octo goggles. Dumbfounded the inkling stared at him, wondering why he was wearing the shades.

"Human! New target! Kill that squid!" Sable ordered Seth. Cassie looked back at Seth as he gave a glare toward her and held his weapon up at the inkling agent. Scared, she squid formed as Seth fired at her, she evaded the bullets but was soon struck in the tentacle as she yelped. The agent managed to get behind a crate before she would take any more hits. Changing back, her leg was bleeding ink as she clutched it. "That really hurts...What's gotten into...the goggles, they have to be controlling him. I gotta do something and fast before he hurts anyone else," said Cassie. She peeked up and saw Seth approaching as he was reloading his rifle.

Squid forming again and swimming away to hide and get the jump on him to remove the shades so we wouldn't be under the octoling's influence. He walked behind the crate she was hiding behind and aimed his rifle but she wasn't there. He looked back at Sable and her team. "Find that inkstain and splat her! You have your orders human," Sable commanded he do.

He scanned the area as Sable and the commandos walked behind him with their octo shots up. Walking through rows of crates and other equipment. The octolings decided to split up and cover more ground to find the agent. Soon they came across small puddles of green ink from Cassie bleeding. "Follow the ink trail, find the squid," said Sable as she smiled to herself.

They tracked the ink drips further toward the back in an attempt to find Cassie and finish her off. Once they reached a clear area near the back, the ink drips ended. "Come out inkstain and make it easy on yourself!" shouted Sable who was standing beside Seth.

"Scaredy squid...that's ok, we'll find you eventually," the elite said.

Cassie was hiding behind another crate as she looked over and saw the octoling and human standing out in the open. She pulled out a splat bomb, intending to use it against the two. "I'm sorry about this Seth but you're giving me no other option," Cassie said. Hoping on the crate as the two spotted her. She threw the splat bomb at them as Seth shot at her but the bomb landed at their feet and swelled. Sable octo formed away as Seth was launched back from the blast.

This was Cassie's opportunity to move in and yank the goggles off of Seth. "Seth! Seth! Don't worry I'm, ahhhh!" said Cassie as she ran toward his body but was tackled by Sable before she could reach him. Now pinned to the floor, the octoling was bent on dealing with the agent. "Wretched squid! You're gonna pay for interfering," as she put Cassie in a stranglehold.

Cassie punched the elite before kicking her off and rushing back toward Seth but was grabbed by the leg and chunked against a crate. Cassie winched, holding her gunshot wound from before which was slowly healing. Seth started to sit up, covered in ink which slowed his movement. "Human! Finish off this squid!" Sable ordered him as she pointed toward the inkling.

"Yes, captain," he replied as he grabbed his rifle off the floor and approached Cassie. She was sitting against the crate and stared at Seth with horror. He aimed the rifle at her and put his finger on the trigger. "Do it," Sable ordered.

"Seth! I know you're in there! Fight it!" she shouted at the human.

"You think he's gonna listen to you. He's under control of the hypnowaves and will only follow my commands. Now ink this squid!"

"Seth remember! I told you about Max...my human brother...your son. Virgil,"

"Virgil..." Seth muttered, slowly coming to his senses as he paused.

"What are you doing human!? I gave you an order! Splat this inkstain!" Sable demanded.

"Seth...I'm sorry that you're here...I sorry that you and Max, Virgil woke up in our world. You must feel bad that you're the only human left alive. Max felt the same way. He could never adapt, as much as I helped him. I'd think he'd love to know or more so, see his father is alive. If you kill me then tell Max I missed him and that I tried my hardest to help him," said the agent as a tear ran down her eye, before turning her face and clinching it.

"Touching, enough of this. Follow your orders human,"

Seth slowly lowered the rifle and looked at Cassie. I glimmer of emotion appeared on his face compared to the blankness of before. "My...son...C... Cassie," he managed to say.

"You remembered," said Cassie as an expression appeared.

"If you want things done right then you gotta do them yourself," growled Sable as she pulled her octo shot up and aimed at it Cassie but before the elite would shoot the inkling, a stream of ink struck Seth in the face, knocking the octo shades off as he fell to the floor. Sable froze and saw what had happened giving a chance for Cassie to rush her and knock the elite to the floor as she dropped the octo shot.

Rubbing her head and reaching out for the octo shot. Cassie held her hero shot on Sable. "I dare you octopus. Go for your weapon and I'll splat you where you are," Cassie glared at her.

"CASSIE!" shouted two voices. Two squids jumped over a crate near the group and changed forms. The two were tall inklings. One in a black dress and the other in a white one. "Cass, We were beginning to worry about you. You were supposed to return to the shack after you made contact with Sam," said the tall inkling in the white dress.

"M... Marie, Callie...I didn't expect you guys to come down here. How'd you know where I was at?" Cassie asked the two.

"Never mind that. I'm just glad we did show up and in the nick of time too. Callie check up on that human...make sure I didn't hurt him too bad. It's been a while since I shot my hero charger so my aim maybe a little off. The two of them then turned to the octoling that was glaring at them. "The squid sisters...it's because of you two we lost our army!" the elite sneered at them.

"I would suggest you keep quiet unless you want a shot to the face too," Marie told her.

Callie rolled Seth over and wiped the lime-green ink off his face. He slowly opened his eyes and was staring at two golden X-shaped pupils as Callie gave a warm smile to him. "What happened? Who are you?" Seth weakly asked the squid sister.

"My name's Callie, glad to see you're OK...um," the inkling girl said.

"Name's Seth...Ugh, what happened and why does my face sting?" he told her as he rubbed his cheek.

"Oh, that would be because of cousin over there. It was the only way of knocking those goggles off your face. Trust me I know the feeling," explained Callie. The tall inkling in the black dress was actually enamored by the human. She reminded him of someone she had a crush on. Seth sat up and rubbed his face and looked around. "What's going on?" he asked them.

"Well, you came close to killing my agent. The name's Marie by the way and you've already met Callie. You look a lot like someone I know but older looking," she told him with a half-smile.

"He does look like Max doesn't he," pointed out Callie.

"We think Max is his son...I assumed he was his brother since the two of them have some resemblance...but thanks agent 2. Sorry I didn't return, it's just I wanted to stick around a little longer with things the way they are here," said Cassie, still holding the weapon on the commando.

"Ha! The octarians will storm this place and there's nothing you can do to stop it inkstains. Speaking of which my team will ink all of you any minute once they..." Sable gloated.

"Your team has been dispatched. I guess you can say they're tied up at the moment so you're not getting out of this one," Marie told the octoling who was still being pinned to the floor with a hero shot aimed at her face.

Then the sound of running footsteps approached the group from the front of the supply bay followed by multiple splooshes. The octolings, Mirage and her squad followed by the rest of them jumped down near the crates and aimed their weapons at them. "What's going on and who are you!?" Mirage demanded they explain. Then she spotted Seth laying on the floor as he was being held by Callie.

"Care to tell me what you're doing here before we ink the lot of you!" Mirage told the inklings.

"Calm down octopus," Cassie told Mirage.

"You again, care to tell me what's going,"

"Yeah, you're gonna wanna talk to her about that," said Cassie, pointing at Sable.

"It's her! the one that took that other human," said Maxine. "She's the leader of the octo commandos," said Sigma.

"She came with the intent to control Seth and turn him on you using the hypno goggles but we stopped her," explained Cassie, pointing at the damaged goggles laying on the floor.

"And I would've succeeded if it weren't for you meddling inkstains," sneered Sable.

"You put those damn goggles on Seth. You slimy bag of ink. I should just splat right now!" aiming her octo shot at Sable.

"Mirage...let it go, she's not worth killing over," Seth told her, holding his hand out.

Mirage's anger subsided as she looked at Sable and then back at Seth who was wondering why Callie had her hands wrapped around him. "If you were smart inkling, I would get your hands off of him before I yank those pretty little tentacles off your head," threatened the elite.

"Huh, I was just helping him and..." Callie started telling her.

"I shot the goggles off his face octoling and I told Callie to check up on him so I would suggest to you not to threaten my cousin. Callie, I think the human is fine. Go ahead and help him up," Marie told her cousin.

"O... ok, here Seth," said Callie as she stood and helped Seth on his feet.

"Thanks," Seth told her as she grinned.

"Now we got that out of the way. To answer your question, we're the squid sisters as I'm sure you already know us after we defeated your old leader, Octavio. We came down here not as a show of hostility but to track down my agent and leader of the squidbeak. My government which I'm not happy with had signed a peace treaty with you octopi which they've clearly violated though the inkling chancellor is denying this. Said there's no credible proof of that and wants to stay on good terms with the octarians. Which begs the question why you've been squidnapping the inklings?" said Marie.

"We haven't been taking any squids. Me and my squad are trying to reach the surface but then we came across this place. A facility housing more humans, the main target for Scarlet and the rest of those ink bags," Mirage, explained to the three agents.

"Wait...am I missing something here. I was assuming you were part of the new regime change in octo valley," said Marie, who was slightly baffled.

"No you squid! Just to be clear we're the defectors. We're not part of Scarlet's bunch. As a matter of fact, we're about to battle for this place against them. So, if you wanna make yourselves useful then aid us or get the ink out of here," Mirage told them.

"You're not friendly are you," said Marie.

"I have little patience for squids. I'll leave it that,"

"(sigh) I could say the same about you octopi but i'm not looking for a fight. I just came down here to locate agent 3,"

"And you found her and while you're at take the rest of those inklings with you,"

"Inklings?"

"Inkling captives by what I've gathered. They brought them here from the octarian base. They helped them escape," referring to when Maxine and Sigma brought the inklings back from the octarian base into the town.

"Then I'd say thank you for helping my people,"

"Sure...now if we're done. We gotta prepare for the battle with the octarians before they show up. Seth you ready?"

"Sure Mirage, just let me grab my rifle,"

"Huh, don't tell me you're sending him into battle,"

"I don't want to but he insists,"

Marie and Callie looked at him with question. "Why do you choose to fight with these octolings? You're putting yourself in danger doing this," Marie told Seth.

"I'm part of the squad. Like Cassie's part of this squidbeak you said you were," Seth answered.

"Seth don't go," said Callie as she ran and hugged him causing Mirage to growl. "Why don't he come back with us. Cassie says he's Max's father...maybe Max will feel better seeing his dad's still alive," suggested Callie as she grabbed Seth's arm.

"Cal, Max left. Don't you remember. He's not in Inkopolis," reminded Marie.

"Oh, that's right. I forgot," Cassie said as she gave a grin and rubbed her head. Mirage pulled Seth away from the squid sister and looked at him. "Seth, I need you here. I know your son's out there and I'll help you find him after we're done," Mirage told him.

"I trust you and I already said I would fight alongside you. I'm not going anywhere," he told her. "Sorry, but my place is here," Seth told the inklings.

"I understand that you share a bond with the octolings here but..." Marie started to say.

"What Marie is trying to say is that. Well, we'd love for you to come back to Inkopolis. We were trying to talk Max into revealing himself at the final splatfest. We thought it was time that the world or should I say Inkopolis know that a human still existed and that our people would come to accept him," said Callie.

"We saw Max as a bridge, a medium between our two races, the inklings and octarians. Every splatfest there are two sides, opposites of one another, that are debated on which is better than the other. This time it was Chaos vs Order. I picked order but Callie here chose chaos. Guess because it suits her personality," said Marie, winching over at Callie with her arms crossed.

"Hey, I'm spunky what can I say you drab squid," Callie shot back.

"Anyways...for some time now. We thought about settling our differences aside and appointing an equalizer I guess you say to put our differences aside for a better cause. We saw a human, or should I say Max as our equalizer to end our pointless rivalries. Not just for the splatfests but everything else in general. Seeing chaos and order being brought up as the two sides from the last splatfest, being the witty and intellectual sister or should I say cousin. I chose order but chaos won over. I was fearful of what would happen, and Callie didn't take the dangers seriously. I was banking on Max to tip the scale and take everyone's mind of the chaos that would soon ensue. He would neutralize the two sides and begin something better that we could rely upon. Civility and no more rivalry. A middle ground. No longer just black and white...as you can see the colors me and Cal are wearing,"

"I did pick chaos but...it's splatfest. I wouldn't think things could get out of hand. Order sounded lame,"

"So things getting out of control is better than order. Cal I'd wish you'd use that brain of yours," she told Callie sternly.

"I do you use it...just not all the time," Callie replied before pouting and turning her back on her cousin.

"You're making it sound like my son had some kind of destiny bestowed upon him. Why use him to settle these differences. I'm not understanding any of this," said Seth who was dumbfounded on the way that splatfests and inkling society worked.

"Cuttlefish seems to think Max is this chosen one to end the war between the inklings and octarians. I don't remember anything like that in the sunken sea scrolls though," said Cassie.

"Inklings and octarians joining in peace, ha! Don't be ridiculous," sneered Sable.

"I hate to agree with the little octowinch but she's right. I know we're enemies of the new octarian army and Scarlet herself but octarians and inklings settling aside our differences sounds pretty farfetched," said Maxine.

"You're talking to us now instead of splatting us, aren't you," pointed out Marie.

"Good point...be we're more focused on splatting octopi like her and surviving underground. After all it was the inklings that banished us here," said Mirage as she gave a displeasured expression to the inklings.

"Oh, here we go again," said Cassie as she pinched her nose.

"Look, you need to understand why this is so important to us. Max was our key to ending this feud among our races. You honestly believe we should trust you octopi or should I say this Scarlet and the rest of them. I'm not douped like the chancellor or all those other inkheads at the inkling capitol," Marie said to the octolings.

"And you shouldn't...she'll tell you whatever you wanna hear and once she's done with you and thrown to the dogfish. Your gullible squid government would try to make a deal with Scarlet and those inkbags back at the valley," said Mirage.

"So you understand where I'm getting at. With Max gone...I was hoping that Seth would come back with us. A good reason why he shouldn't go to battle and run the risk of getting hurt or possibly worse, killed," said Marie.

"Well go find another human...there's plenty here that can fill in your "chosen one" position," shot back Mirage, losing her patience with the inkling agents.

"I have to reach Inkopolis anyway. How about when I'm done here, I'll find my way there and meet you somewhere outside the city," Seth suggested.

"(sigh) You're determined to stay aren't you, but I won't deny you helping your friends. I'll give directions to a place where we initiate agents. It's just outside the canyon on the surface. You'll see an octopus shaped formation and my tea house overlooking the canyon. You can't miss it, meet us there when you're done and then we'll discuss things and hopefully find Max together," Marie told Seth.

"Virgil...his name's Virgil,"

"Umm, right...well anyways. Cass you coming back?"

"What about her and the others," The agent referring to Sable and the commandos as she kept the elite at gunpoint.

"We'll take her. Just get back to your territory before the octarians show up," said Mirage.

"We wish you luck. Sorry we can't stay but we got our business to attend to," said Marie.

"Umm Seth, I hope we get to see each other again," said Callie.

"I'm sure we will um...Callie," he said to her as she giggled.

"Hussy squid," Mirage muttered to herself. Agent 3 followed behind them, leaving Sable in their care.

Cassie, Callie, and Marie squid formed and swam away out of sight. Intending to head back to inkling territory and let the octolings along with Seth deal with the incoming octarians.

"So, what do you wanna do with this octowinch?" asked Maxine to Mirage as she walked over and grabbed her.

"We'll hunt for a place to put them. Her team was tied up to some crate. They're out cold," said Mirage.

"Well, I guess that means she needs a snooze herself," said Maxine as she clubbed Sable behind the head with her octo shot. Knocking the commando leader out. "She'd be easier to handle that way,"

"If we're all done here. Then I suggest we get to our positions while the octarians haven't shown up. Maxine once you gotten her and her team secured somewhere. Gather your team and head to the housing down the hill. Me and my squad will set our up positions on the hill in front of the facility. You all know what to do...and where's those dumb tentacles?"

"They hung back in the atrium," answered Maxine, thumbing back behind her as she started to drag Sable's body.

"Don't forget to take them with you," Mirage told her.

"Great, they'll make good ink fodder. Let's head out! but first to find a place for sleeping ugly and her cronies," said Maxine as she ordered her unit to carry off the unconscious commando unit to somewhere they could be held without the worry of escaping.

"Luna. Star. Vee. Go ahead and I'll meet you in the atrium," Mirage ordered the squad.

"Roger that," they replied in unison as they octo formed away.

"Seth,"

"Yes, Lieu...Mirage,"

"Are you sure you wanna do this?"

"I'm sure,"

"Then don't die out there,"

"You neither," he told her as she smiled at him.

"So...we still got a little time. How about we finish where we left off," she said as she twiddled with her tentacle and crossed her legs, giving Seth a promiscuous expression.

"Huh?"

"You know..." she hinted as she wrapped her arm around his.

"Mirage...I don't think now's the time. I gotta get my gear together and besides, I'm sure the squad would be wondering what was taking so long," said Seth. "We gotta battle to win remember,"

"Fiiiiiine...But I'm hunting your ass and getting that good inking I deserve when it's over with," she said, letting go of his arm and crossing hers. Giving Seth a soured look.

"You're determined to do this aren't you," Seth told her.

"Oh, I am..." she said with a smirk.

"Well let's focus back on the battle at hand and speaking of which. I just thought of something, since you're using that PDW I gave you. I think I might as well arm the rest of the squad with some back up weapons. We don't know what we're going up against and it wouldn't hurt to boost our firepower. I know those ink shooter of yours don't have an endless capacity," said Seth.

"What'd you have in mind,"

"Oh, about taking some weapons up top and arming the squad. Well, maybe not so much Vee. She seemed pretty skittish after she fired my rifle a while back, I'll hunt for something to give Star and Luna,"

"If you think this is necessary,"

"I'd rather be overly prepared. As the old saying better to have and not need it,"

Both Seth and Mirage wandered toward the back of the supply bay to retrieve some weapons for their squad mates. Seth grabbed his gear and Mirage looked around while he did. After that Seth scrounged through some weapons crates and he thought of the two perfect weapons he could arm Star and Luna with.

It was later in the day...at another location. The shantytown to be precise. Inside the police station were the squidbeak agents including Sam along with three octolings that had hunkered down and hid away from the invading salmonids. Sam and the others encountered them locked inside a cell, letting them go if they answered their questions and they would come to an agreement not to attack one another. The octolings stayed to themselves as the inklings kept their distance, seeing one another as natural enemies.

"I can't believe you let them out," said Ash, disapproving of Sam's decision to release them.

"Yeah, a great idea," popped off Jet who was recovering from his injuries.

"Look, I told them to be on their best behavior and I would free them. How I see if they're the least of our problems," Sam told them.

"Until they find some weapons and splat us in the back," scoffed Flash.

"If I wanted to splat you inkstain. I'd do it to you in the face," growled one of the octolings as she looked at them with a displeased expression.

"What'd you say octopus. Come over here and..." Started in Flash.

"Stop it! That's enough! No one is splatting no one...the real threat is outside those doors. For now as much as I hate to say this but we're working together," said Sam as the three agents looked at her dumbfounded.

"I'm not taking orders from some squid," popped of one of the octolings.

"You will if I tell you to. We could also put you back in that cage or we could feed you to the fish," Sam told the octolings. Not reply to her comment, the octolings just crossed her arms and looked away. "That's what I thought. Now then...umm," Sam continued but she scratched her head, uncertain on what to do next.

"I'm ready to get out of this dump. This isn't what I signed up for," said Jet.

"Yeah, I wanna go back to Inkopolis. I thought this would be something as simple as a turf war battle but it's a nightmare," said Ash.

"Well I'm not going anywhere until I find Izzy," said Flash.

"The same here...not sure what you guys were actually doing down here but I found you. After that, Cassie didn't tell me anything else and for that matter I hadn't seen Sheldon since I got here," said Sam.

"That hunk of junk drone he built probably got lost. Wouldn't have been the first time," Flash told them.

"(deep sigh) Things just keep getting better. OK (deep breath) ...what can you octolings tell me?" Sam said with annoyance before looking toward the trio of octolings.

"You asking us squid. Like we'd tell you anything,"

"Listen here sour-pus. You're working my last nerve. If there's anything important that you to tell me then there's no since in keeping to yourself. They only way we're, as in all of us are getting out of here and not end up fish food is working together,"

"Valid point...but why should we trust you inklings?"

"Because I'm armed and you're not. I hate to waste my ink on some belligerent octopus. Now if there's something you need to tell us then I would suggest you do it. I'm not buying this salmonid story you already mentioned about. The salmonids would never leave the water unless they sensed something that posed a threat to them. A great enough threat they would wander down here so far away from their migrating grounds. What did you really do to tick off the salmonids?"

The octoling remained tight-lipped until one of the other ones. I younger octoling, probably a recruit with her short tentacles started to say something. "You're right...they didn't invade because of some territorial dispute. They weren't so much attacking us. We were in their way. A hinderance but invading our territory is an act of war so we battled the salmonids but they overwhelmed us in sheer numbers. They took this town within an hour and then they occupied...and oddly at the same time we lost that strange radio signal," said the short-tentacled octoling.

"Strange radio signal?" Sam and Flash both replied.

"Yeah, we don't know where it came from. We barely picked up on it since it was at a such high frequency. When we tried to clear it up and synchronize it we heard something...talking. It was a language I never heard before. It wasn't octarian or inkling but we managed to track the source before it went away. At the same time, the salmonids stopped advancing as if that signal was drawing them in and then once the signal was gone, they stopped," the octoling explained.

"Where was the source?" asked Sam.

"The coordinates were written down on a piece of paper on that table over there next to radio transciever,"

The octoling was grabbed by then tentacles from her superior. "Why are telling that inkstain all this information you grunt?" she asked her angrily.

"They have a right to know if they're sincere about getting us out of here," the short-tentacled octoling answered. She was thrown to the floor as her tentacle was let go. "You keep your beak shut from here on out. Got it private!"

"Y...y... yes sarge," the young octoling answered.

"You got what you asked for. Not sure how you're gonna get there though and why it would matter," said the superior octoling.

"If this signal drew the salmonids into your territory, then finding the source and activating it will draw them out, allowing us to escape," replied Sam.

"Pfff...the coordinates point to some secured facility. That place is shut tight, and we had no way of busting in that place. I doubt you will, best of luck squid," scoffed the octoling.

"She's a piece of work. I can't help but see this was a waste of our time," said Flash.

"You and me are heading there," Sam told him.

"No inking way! I ain't leaving this place knowing those squid eating salmonids are still out there," he protested.

"You're going even if that means I have to drag your squid butt with me," she said, balling her fist in his face.

"OK, sheesh...you're nothing like Izzy. You sure you two are sisters?"

"Just get ready to move. Ash, Jet...you stay here and watch the octopi while me and blabber beak find the source of that signal,"

"Can do, Sam," said Ash.

"Please hurry up will you," replied Jet.

"Have fun," said the octoling with insincerity and a smirk as the two headed out.

Sam opened the main doors into the station and peeked out. Seeing the coast was clear, they slowly stepped out. The small courtyard was covered in green slime left from the slain salmonids. "You sure about this," whispered Flash.

"Don't be such a scaredy squid," Sam told him as they made it down the steps. The two inkling agents headed out to the side entry of the courtyard. Still fearful, Flash kept close to Sam but then he heard a fluid noise behind them. He gulped and quickly turned his back but didn't see anything.

"Geez your jumpy," said Sam which made Flash jump out of fright.

"Don't do that!" he shouted at her.

"I can't believe Izzy hooked up with a squid like you, who wouldn't last a minute back at the splatlands,"

"Hmpf, I wasn't scared," he started to say but then his foot hit something and as he looked down and spotted a small fry staring up at him. He shrieked at the sight of the little fish which got Sam's attention as she looked down at what frightened Flash. "Huh, Lil Buddy!?" she shouted as the fish looked at her with joy on its face. It scurried toward her and hugged Sam's leg before she picked it up and let the fish hug her face. "What are you doing here? Oh, carp I forgot all about you," said Sam as the fish gave her a soured expression and crossed its fins before giving her the cold shoulder.

"W... what! You know that thing!?" exclaimed Flash, stunned that Sam would handle the little salmonid.

"Yes...and his name is lil' buddy. I found him a while back and since then I've kept him. Though I did leave him behind...I'm so sorry can you ever forgive me," she told the fish.

The small fry turned and opened one eye. It's grievance toward the inkling subsided and it gave a bark as it jumped down and wagged its fin. "I can't believe you keep that thing as a pet," said Flash, giving himself a facepalm.

"It's nothing like the salmonids we've had to deal with. It's mild mannered and even trained. It can play fetch too,"

"A small fry playing fetch...you got to be squddin' me. I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to keep some ugly fish as a pet, YIPE!" said Flash as lil' Buddy bit and latched a hold of the inkling boy's leg.

"Down Lil' Buddy! Let go of the jerk squid," Sam told it as the little fish let go and swam back over to Sam but not before giving Flash a dirty look as he rubbed the bite mark left behind.

"Lucky, I can't stomp on the ugly guppy,"

"Never mind him lil' buddy. I'm just glad to see you again," said Sam as the fish wagged its fin and gave a bark. Sam continued on down an alley as Flash trailed behind, still unhappy with the small fry biting him on the leg.

As the two made their way to the edge of the shantytown they spotted the tea kettle that would take them to the location of the signal source that caused the salmonids to attack the octarian village. "Alright lil' buddy. Once I squid form, hop on before we get inside the kettle, ok," Sam told the little fish.

Sam squid formed as lil' buddy got on her. She with the small fry hopped into the kettle and shot out as Flash hopped in himself and shot behind the two.

The way from the next kettle to the location of the radio signal's source would be long. The dome they were in was full of floating debris and platforms. As 15 minutes passed, the three of them traversed down the road that would take them to their destination. Flash who was getting bored and complained about walking was getting on Sam's nerves. "How much longer?" he whined.

"We're halfway there," she told him.

"Halfway, oh squid,"

Sam rolled her eyes and ignored the inkling then something caught their attention. "Do you hear that?" asked Sam.

"Yeah I do?" he replied.

"What is that?"

The three of them looked around and spotted the source of the noise. It sounded like rotors, and it was getting louder. They spotted something approaching but it was elevated. Some kind of aerial craft that headed toward them. "Oh carp! Octarians! We can't let them see us!" exclaimed Sam as she spotted a large flying object coming toward them.

"Under here! Quick!" The two squid formed and hid under a wooden box laying in their path. Squeezing next to each other they looked and watch the aircraft fly overhead. "What in the kraken is that?" asked Flash.

"I don't know. I've never seen anything like it," said Sam as the aircraft flew out of sight. Though it reminded Sam of the octoseekers, It clearly wasn't but of human origin. The aircraft was V-22 Osprey VTOL...and why was it there and who was piloting it?

They crawled out from cover and changed back. "Guess we better keep going before we get caught and next time, we hide keep your tentacles off my face," said Sam.

"Me! You were the one squirming. I was suffocating in there," griped Flash.

"Look let's just go already,"

The two kept on the path to the location of the radio source but they would soon discover they weren't the only one's hunting for the source of the strange radio signal. Once they got near their destination. They spotted the same aircraft from before that flew over them. The V-22 Osprey was parked across from what appeared to be some structure floating on a landmass. It was covered in foliage with the face of the building partially exposed and a satellite dish on top of it, wrapped in lines and moss. "This is where the octolings said the strange radio signal came from," said Sam as the two of them hid behind a pile of rocks looking at the abandoned concrete building.

"And there's that flying thing we saw. The octolings are here too. So, what do you wanna do now?" asked Flash snidely.

"We keep going that's what,"

"You wanna deal with those octopi. Be my guest," he waved off as he started to leave but was grabbed by the collar of his agent jacket and jerked back.

"You're going with me scaredy squid whether you want to or not. We're agents and we're going in together," she said as she got in his face.

"If I get splatted I'm coming back and haunting you," he told her as she let go, brushing his agent jacket.

"C'mon," she said waving him to follow toward the structure.

The two agents along with lil' buddy headed up to the building walking beside the V-22. "That thing's huge," commented Flash as he marvelled at the human aircraft.

"Focus Flash, we're here to find the source of that signal," she told him.

"You heard what that octoling said. it's locked up. How do you expect to get inside if they couldn't?" questioned Flash.

"I don't think we need to, look," Sam pointed toward the entry of the building.

Sam, Flash and Lil' Buddy headed up toward the front of the building and saw that its thick steel doors had been blasted into. "What did this?" asked Flash.

"I don't know. But it looks like we'll have no problem getting in," said Sam.

"Hey, check out these footprints. It's gotta be octarians,"

"I don't think so. They're too small to belong to an octoling's foot. I'm beginning to think the octoling's didn't cause this,"

"Then who else would it be?"

"That's a good question. We won't know until we get inside," said Sam as she squid jumped through the door breech. Lil' buddy hopped in. As much as Flash was regretting it he followed the pair. It was clear whoever broke into the building wasn't the octarians and they wouldn't be flying around in an advance military aircraft built by humans.

As they jumped through the blast opening. The pilot of the V-22 spotted them going inside. "Alpha team, respond," the pilot said in a muffled voice. "You have intruders breaching the building," they continued.

Back at the facility the sun had just rose. It was 0600 hours. Kelly and her team had managed to make it to the abandoned shop at the far end of the dome. Maxine, her sister, and the rest of the octolings set up fighting positions in the neighborhood, utilizing the houses for cover and blocking the bridge, the only entry into the housing with debris and couple of rusty cars that were dragged over. They fortified parts of neighborhood and any means to slow the octarians down. Their fallback position would be the hill where the facility entry was and there, they would have the high ground and a trail going up it that would bottleneck the enemy if they decided to come up. After that it was uncertain what else to do, hopefully not having to take the fighting in the underground complex.

Mirage along with her team and Seth beside them, ascended up the elevator and made it top side where they would establish their own battle stations to prevent the octarians from advancing. Before heading out of the complex, Seth saw this as an opportunity to utilize another weapon he came across. Being the location, they were going to be fighting, overlooking the small valley below the facility. Seth grabbed a sniper rifle out of one the gun cases and took some loaded mags too. The sniper rifle was a Victrix Armaments sniper rifle. Very precise and accurate with a long range collaborated scope.

"What kind of weapon is that?" asked Mirage.

"It's a sniper rifle. It's designed to hit targets at much longer ranges. I say the situation calls for it even though I never went to marksman school, so I'll have to make do," said Seth.

"Sounds like the same thing as an ink charger. Sergeant Star was a sharpshooter in the octarian army. You could give it to her if you're doubtful about your shooting skills,"

"Alright, I'll show her the basics if we got time to spare. Oh another thing, I think we're gonna need a LMG to face the road coming up the hill. Something to make the octarians think twice about storming our positions and lay down suppressive fire," said Seth as he handed the sniper rifle to Mirage and headed toward one of the UTVs. He spotted an LMG mounted on the front of it and unbolted it off it's mount and examined it.

"This will do...this is a light machine gun. Like I said it's to lay down suppressive fire. Probably gonna need it too. I'll grab an extra belt link before we go," said Seth as he laid the large weapon on the floor. It was an FN Evolys LMG.

"You sure this is all necessary Seth. This is a lot to pack with us and we're running out of time,"

"This is all. We can't be sure what we're dealing with. I'd rather take too much than too little,"

"Whatever you say,"

"I think we got everything,"

"You sure. How about we try to cram a tank up the elevator while we're at,"

"Let's just go. I'll show Luna how to use the LMG,"

It was 20 minutes later. After Luna and Star got taught how to use the human weapons and what they were for. The squad was ready. Luna placed the LMG on the hood of a parked car facing the entrance of the yard. Star went prone, looking down the sight of the sniper rifle, facing the housing area, seeing Maxine's outfit move around down the hill.

Vee got beside Luna to provide her with support. Mirage and Seth were beside Star providing overwatch, with Mirage pulling out a pair of military-style binoculars given to her by Seth from back in the supply bay he came across. The elite still had the SIG Rattler slung around her and she was still wearing tactical gear just like Seth was wearing.

Seth, clutching his SIG Virtus rifle looked over at Mirage. "All this anticipation has got me thinking. What if we...do lose. I don't wanna see you guys getting killed over me and the rest of my people down inside the facility,"

"It's a cost that we're willing to take to ensure Scarlet doesn't get her hands on you or the rest of those humans. How I see it, eventually things would've come to this. Our last stand was coming. We were running out of places to hide and then Scarlet would've taken us or splatted us. I would've preferred to go down fighting, taking as many of those bastards with me," she told him.

"Talk of a true soldier but...even a soldier knows when it's time to surrender as strong willed as you are," he said as she looked at him with skepticism. "But now's the time we hold our ground and I understand that. I appreciate everything you've done for me,"

"I could say the same for you Seth,"

"You two get a room already," said Star looking up at the two as she laid on the ground with the sniper rifle.

"We would've but Seth said we didn't have time,"

"Ooooh...this is getting a little kinky,"

"Watch the damn road, Luna!"

"Mirage...I'm thinking about heading down the hill and checking up on Maxine's defenses not that I'm in any way saying she couldn't but I just wanna check up on her and that platoon down there," Seth told the elite.

"I'm sure they got things handled but fine," she said as Seth left for the housing area.

"I think you scared him off," Luna smirked.

"What did I say about watching the road,"

"The enemy isn't here so don't get your tentacles in a knot,"

Vee was keeping her thoughts to herself. She wanted to say something but with them waiting for the octarians to arrive any minute the octoling held it in. "You're pretty quiet...well more than normal," Luna said, noticing Vee was stuck in thought.

"Oh it's...nothing, just anxiety about facing the octarian army. I just hope it would've never come to this. I was hoping we'd be on the surface and never have to face our kin. To tell you the truth it saddens me that I have to splat another octarian like me,"

"Um, private...you know as well as I do, they would be willing to splat you at the first given chance. It's time you octopus'd up and face the facts. They're our enemy. It doesn't matter if they're octarians like us or not. They have orders to capture or splat us! Get that through your head. You wanna see them take Seth away or any of the other humans?" Luna sternly told Vee.

"...No... I don't," she replied as she downed her head.

"Then you know what to do. We have to do what is necessary to survive. Even the octarian army taught us that...the same army we'll be facing,"

"You're right lieutenant... I guess we got no other choice. I'm sorry you guys," Vee told her squad.

Seth, managed to make it down the hill to the old abandoned neighborhood and saw the octolings as well as the tentacles still building up defenses around the street. He spotted Maxine helping a couple of her guys roll more debris out in the road to pose as obstacles for the incoming octarians. "Sarge or Maxine," Seth called out.

"Huh, hey Seth...I don't you were gonna be with Mirage's squad,"

"I am but I wanted to come down here and see your progress," he told the octoling sergeant.

"Well we're doing all we can for the moment. After that we're gonna setup positions before the battle kicks off. You don't mind helping us do you to speed up the process,"

"Oh sure," he said rubbing his head.

Seth aided Maxine and their unit before the octarian army showed up. Creating makeshift blockades and fighting positions. As they were finishing up, Maxine looked at Seth as he was placing another sandbag down on a battle station. "Curious but this eating away at my tentacles. What's that lieutenant see in you if you don't mind me asking," she said to him.

"That's a question I couldn't even answer to be honest with you. I know she's pointed out that it's because of my personality. She's also gotten accustomed to my beliefs...something she never obtained in the army,"

"This faith thing?" replied Maxine.

"Yeah...you can call it that,"

"You've been a trusted ally by what I could tell...astounded really that a human would even help us. Your race must've been very virtuous...hope more your people wake up soon,"

"Not all humans are like that if anything the opposite...it's the main reason why we ended up destroying ourselves instead of seeking out a compromise to avert an impending doomsday. The resource wars and floods weren't enough. They had to nuke everyone into annihilation,"

"You mean to tell me that humans were willing to destroy themselves...but why?"

"Self-centered, Greed, Avarice, Violent...I could go on and on... There's nothing I can do. We brought this on ourselves and there's no undoing it,"

"To think...if the great turf wars would've kept going or we had the destructive capacity of you humans then I would say the octolings and the inklings would be extinct like your species. Sorry I brought up such a sensitive topic," said Maxine as she plopped down on the pile of sandbags.

"It's not your fault...just learn from history and mistakes like right now, us going to war with the octarian army. They won't stop until they've conquered the surface world. I wish they could see what humans went through with our own wars then they might have a change of heart and decide to just live in peace and let by gones be by gones," said Seth sat down on the ground.

"There's no changing Scarlet's mind. She's bent on finishing what her grandfather Octavio started and if she takes you or this place then they'll be no stopping them," she said, removing her goggles.

"We'll make sure that never happens...but I hate it that you're sticking your necks out for me and the other humans,"

"Think nothing of it. This was coming sooner or later. Running was just prolonging the inevitatable but I'm still not going down without a fight,"

"That's what Mirage told me...but the sense of uncertainty, knowing some of you may not make makes me feel so troubled,"

"Aww...the human cares about us," said one octoling from Maxine's unit standing behind Seth. He turned around and saw her with the goggles still on her face. "Yeah, we're willing to fight those octojerks," said another one.

"You, know if you stay down here and give us morale support, we'd appreciate it," the first octoling said as she pulled up her goggles and gave Seth a smile then a kissing gesture.

"Not sure if Mirage would approve of that," he started to say.

"Inkcoming! This is sergeant Kelly! The octarians have showed up and there, oh shrimp! Bzzzttt..." Kelly called out on the comms that was linked into the octo goggles the octolings were wearing.

"Kelly! Kelly! Come in!" shouted Maxine over her headset but got nothing but static. "We...may have lost Kelly, quick everyone get into positions before they arrive!" commanded Maxine.

As Maxine's forces scramble to their battle stations. Up the hill both Mirage and Star were watching and knew something was up. "Something's wrong...they're heading to their stations, but I didn't hear Kelly call out on the radio, damn headset is acting up again. I can assume the octarians have showed up," said Mirage as she put away her binoculars and grabbed the SIG Rattler.

"Guys! Look!" shouted Star, spotting something approaching the valley in the air.

Mirage and the rest turned and saw two octozeppelins hovering over the road to the housing area. Multiple octoseekers were escorting the large airships as well as octostrikers. "Seth...he's still down there," muttered Mirage with worry. "Seth! Get back up the hill! Quick before they..." Mirage called out on her comms but the squad saw the octozepplin launch multiple ink missiles down at the ground, exploding and covering the street with ink. Mirage as well as the rest of them froze, the elite dropped her goggles assuming the worse could've just happened. "SEEEEETH!" she screamed. Not accepting the possible she was determined to see if he made and started to octo form and swam down the hill but was grabbed by Star and Luna.

"Let go of me! I gotta find Seth!" she shouted and squirmed in Star and Luna's grasp.

"What's the point of going down there and getting inked yourself!" jeered Luna, keeping a hold on Mirage.

"Lieutenant, you can't be sure he didn't find cover and survive that barrage," said Luna who was also trying to reason with the elite.

"I don't care!" Mirage exclaimed, trying to get free.

Vee saw them struggling with the black octopus and decided to head down the hill herself in her octopus form. "Vee!" shouted Luna, seeing her swim away. They let go of Mirage before she fell to the ground and changed back. "What is she doing?" asked Star, witnessing Vee leave.

"She doesn't know what she's getting into," said Luna.

"What do we do now?" asked Star.

"We head down there and fight those bastards, that's what," said Mirage sharply. "You coming or not," directing toward Luna and Star. They looked at each and nodded at their leader before they octo formed after Vee and headed down to the neighborhood.

Below, what octolings survived were trying to recover from the bombardment. While others, were reduced to ink splatter. Maxine managed to recuperate and helped her sister up from the suprise attack. The tentacles were pushing debris off that they used to cover themselves and managed to make it unscaved.

"That was quick thinking," said one trooper.

"Yeah, I was sure we were goners," said the other.

"Thought we were too...not so sure about any of the red heads though," said the twintacle as it pushed a piece of tin out of the way.

"Seth, What about Seth?" Maxine frantically asked before she spotted the human laying on the ground covered in ink. "Seth! Answer me!" she called out as she sat him up.

"(cough) (cough) Yeah I'm...here," he responded as he opened his eyes and saw the octoling. She smiled and helped him up, though the ink was making it difficult for him to move. Maxine and Melony grabbed Seth and helped him over into one of the houses. The rest of her unit were helping each other find cover as the octozeppelin was floating above them.

Up the street on the other side of the bridge was a small column of octostamp tanks coming up the road. They stopped when they saw the bridge had been barricaded off and ink mines had been laid out. Their hatches opened releasing octotroopers that scurried out on their scooters and headed up the bridge. Not mentally competent enough to notice the ink mines or not care a few of them set the mines off but more troopers pressed on but stopped behind the blockade and were now uncertain how to get across. Until a trio of octopods rushed across the bridge and blew themselves up, enough to create an opening through the barrier that blocked their way. "Charge!" shouted a twintacle.

The troopers moved in and headed up the street. As they appeared, Maxine's unit responded and started firing and lobbing splat bombs at them. The first row of troopers were easily knocked off while the second wave returned fire, causing the octolings to take cover.

"Seth, can you fight?" asked Maxine.

"(cough) Yeah, once I get my motor skills back," he told her.

"Well, we're gonna ink those tentacles. Once you recover, you can join us or head up the hill while we keep them busy,"

"No, I'm staying to fight," he said as she nodded. The two octoling sisters rushed out and started attacking the troopers as they were approaching. Seth was doing his best to move his limbs. The ink effects were making him numb and sick but eventually he would gain control and stand up but before he would join the two octolings. A red octopus hopped through the window of the house. Seth aimed his rifle at them but didn't expect Vee to show up as he lowered his weapon. "Seth, I'm so glad you're ok," she told him as she rushed over and gave him a hug.

"Well, thank Maxine and Melony. They helped me in here...I thought you and the rest of squad were supposed to hold the hill?"

"We are but we saw the octozeppelin attack the houses and I...was really worried about you. I came down here as fast as I could to make sure you were still alive,"

"Is Mirage and the other two still up there?" asking Vee as he pulled away.

"Yeah but..." she started to say but then the two heard ink fire outside.

"I'm sorry Vee...I gotta help Maxine and her unit keep the octarians back,"

"Wait Seth, I..." she said as she grabbed his arm.

"Vee can this wait!?"

"No it can't...Seth...I know Mirage is in love with you and she's like a big sister to me but...I love you too and I don't wanna see you get killed and neither would the others or Emma. She sees you as a father figure to her, please don't go! I don't wanna lose you like I lost my parents," Vee told him as she let go of his arm.

He was caught in a love triangle that he couldn't get out of. Both the octolings had a deep effectuation with the human, he wasn't sure what to do but as we know, Seth knew he had to pull it together and refocus on the battle that was raging around him. "Vee right now is not the time. It wouldn't matter if I fought alongside, you and the squad or not. If the octarian army gets through and you guys perish protecting this place because of me and the other humans, then I would've lived with the thought of knowing I could've helped you guys and possibly turned the tides against our enemy. Nothing's certain when it comes to war and no one is promised they'll make it back to their family. I was fortunate but I lived with the guilt that others like me couldn't go home ever again...but then I remembered I fought alongside them, knowing I took action instead of doing nothing," he told the octoling with tears running down her face.

"I just...don't wanna see you get killed and neither would Mirage," she said wiping her face.

"You don't think I feel the same way," he said as he hugged the octoling.

The two hugged for a moment but suddenly a splat bomb was thrown into the room. It beeped and swelled up as the two jumped away from it. Seth got covered with some ink as it exploded and so did Vee. Seth slowly got up, fighting the effects of the ink and saw Vee laying on the floor. "Vee!" he shouted.

He shambled and fell over trying to get to her. Thankfully she was just injured as he sat her up. "Vee, are you alright?" he asked her. She moaned and blinked, staring up at Seth. "Yeah, just...a little sore. The ink is hurting me," she told him weakly.

"Hold on," he told her as he attempted to wipe the ink off enough that she could move. Still feeling the shock from the blast, Vee's mobility was limited. Seth grabbed her in bridal style and moved her to safety, deeper in the house but as he started to move her. Just as he picked her up though, a twintacle and two troopers stormed into the room and aimed their blasters at Seth and Vee.

"Don't move human!" the twintacle ordered to him. He looked around and saw a chair laying on the floor beside him and kicked it toward the octarian, knocking it off the scooter as the two troopers fired at him. He rushed for cover, still carrying Vee and was struck in the leg. He jeered from the hit and waited for the troopers to stop shooting. Once they did, he rose up and shot at them with his rifle.

The troopers were struck by the bullets and incapacitated and fell off their vehicles. Seth continued to carry Vee into one of the rooms to recover and laid her on a bed. "Vee, I'll close the door behind me so no one sees you before I leave," he told her.

"Seth...please don't," she said as she grabbed his hand.

"Vee I got no choice. More are gonna show up. I'm gotta lead them so I can make sure you're safe," he told her as he pulled his hand away. He left as Vee was deeply concerned about his well-being seeing the human leave her to recuperate. He closed the door behind as he said he would do and darted out the front, seeing more octarians approaching, spotting him and getting their attention to lead them away from the house Vee was laying in.

The fighting spilled further into the neighborhood. The defectors were managing to keep the octarians held back as they made it past the bridge and had now taken over the front portion of the housing. Things were at a stalemate for the time being but it wouldn't be long until the defectors would start wearing down and depleting much of their ink.

Above the octozeppelin was looming over the bridge. An elite, a major rank and commander of the battalion that was dispatched to crush the defectors and take the facility from them was watching from the gondola under the airship. "Those defectors are putting up a better fight than I thought. I'm gonna hold out and wear them down with the troopers before the octolings shoot down. Let those ink fodders complete their purpose first," she said to herself.

A tall figure stepped behind her and watched down below. "That place...seems so familiar," they said. The elite turned and saw the darkened figure. "It's you... you better understand why you were brought along. You agreed to help us. I'm not sure what the general was thinking inserting you into my battalion but you better not pull anything you abomination," the major sneered at the figure.

"Abomination..." they said as they picked the major up by the neck. She grabbed their arm and was fighting for air. "I never chose to become this...thing and I have a name and my only purpose is to help you so I get inside that damn place," they said before throwing the major down. The regulars helped her up as she shrugged them and then glared back at the figure.

"Your ass is done for when this is all over," she snapped at him as she got up. Not taking the elite's threat seriously they walked away without saying another word.

Mirage, Star, and Luna pushed through the edge of the neighborhood and got caught in the skirmish between Maxine's forces and the assaulting octarians. The three of them engaged with their octo shots except for Mirage with her SIG Rattler PDW. The troopers advanced but Star and Luna splatted them as they pushed further into the neighborhood. Maxine's octolings pulled back as the octoling squad covered them.

"Octopods!" shouted one of the octolings. They looked and spotted the running torpedoes rushing toward them. One exploded but another went off as it got close and splatted two of Maxine's and threw back another, wounding her.

"Cover me Star! I'm gonna get her," commanded Luna as she made her way to the wounded octoling. Star shot a couple of troopers that were moving up toward Luna but she was running low on ink and decided this was her chance to use the sniper rifle Seth issued her with.

She pulled it out and rested it on a pile of debris, looking down the scope and picking of targets as they kept invading the housing area. The rifle caught Star by surprise with the recoil and loud gunshots, but she kept her mind on taking down her targets. Luna grabbed the octoling and carried her across her shoulder to safety but before she could one of the troopers struck the elite in the back as she screamed and her and the wounded octoling fell to the ground. Still alive but wounded herself too and hurting from the impact. Luna crawled and dragged the octoling to the nearest cover as the troopers continuously converged. Things were not looking good for the octolings.

Mirage was rushing through houses, jumping through windows and doorways, determined to find Seth. As she scanned one house. Troopers ran through the door and started shooting at Mirage. The elite retaliated and shot back. The bullets were just enough to slow them down or stun them. Shooting at one of the trooper's scooter causing it to malfunction and buck the tentacle off and another scooter to explode and extinguish the squad of octarians. Leaving her to go back to looking for Seth.

The house was empty, so she decided to move to the next one through the back yard where she stumbled across Maxine and Melony who were injured. "Sergeant! Have you seen Seth anywhere?" Mirage asked Maxine.

"He's...inside but I never saw him come out. He was hurt from the ink barrage but still alive," she answered, pointing toward the house he was staying in.

She nodded and octo formed. Swimming to the house and jumping through the window as she changed back and scanned the room with her weapon. It was empty but where was Seth? She looked around through one of the rooms and discovering Vee lying on the bed holding her stomach.

"Vee!" she shouted rushing beside the bed. "Vee, what happened? Where's Seth? Have you seen him?"

"He left...I told him not to but he kept insisting on luring the octarians away so they wouldn't find me," she told Mirage, pointing toward the door.

"Can you get up?"

"I'm slowly getting my strength back but I'm not exactly in the shape to fight lieutenant,"

"I'll get you to back Luna and Star. Maybe we'll catch Seth along the way, hopefully," Mirage, grabbing Vee and helping her up as she carried her, placing Vee's arm around her shoulder.

"M... Mirage," muttered Vee.

"Yeah, what is it private?"

"You love Seth...a lot,"

"Seth's...like a piece of me that's been missing,"

"I see...mmm,"

"Something's on your mind isn't it. I suggest we deal with it after we deal with these inkheads and find Seth," suggested the elite as the two of them headed out the door before they were spotted. Getting back to the squad before things intensified though Vee wanted to express her opinion on the relationship between Seth and her commander, sharing the same sentiment he had with the human as well, Seth being a piece that she was missing, something that could fill the void where her parents would have been and starting her own family with Seth in some way after Emma said what she did.

The tentacle posse lead by the defective twintacle, were running away, deeper into the neighborhood to avoid the fighting since they were unarmed and scooter-less. So much for proving their worth. They darted behind a rusty parked car and peeked over it to watch the enemy octarians move closer into the neighborhood.

"I didn't come out to become ink fodder," said the twintacle.

"Me neither,"

"So much for showing those octolings how brave we could've been,"

"Why should you care?"

"I think they're kinda cute,"

"No way some red head would ever hook up with a tentacle like you,"

"Hey, that hurt my feelings,"

"I could care less about your feelings. I just wanna go back up the hill. We may not have scooters but there's something else we can use and I don't care what that black head said. We're getting in that human tank thing," said the twintacle.

"How are supposed to get it outside?" asked the octoball.

"I'm sure we'll figure out a way. If it was put down there before then there's gotta be a way to get it outside, c'mon," said the twintacle as he waved the others to follow. Running across the street, they were getting tuckered out, even the octoball as it rolled behind them. Out of breath and ready to faint, the defective octarians thought there were in the clear when all of a sudden A twintacle wearing a beret and sunglasses scurried in their path along with two other troopers behind it.

"Where do you think you're going!?' The twintacle shouted at them. The tentacle posse quickly stopped in their tracks as they ran into each other. "I'm talking to you! and where the shell are your scooters!?" it demanded it they answer.

"Um, well..."

"W... We were gonna charge up the hill and take those traitors by surprise,"

"Without a weapon or octo scooter?" questioned the enemy twintacle.

"We were gonna show those turncoats what the octarian army was made of. We're so badass we don't need no stinking scooter to stop those defector scum," said the twintacle boldly.

"You got guts...I like that... or ink for brains,"

"Hold on I don't recognize them," said an enemy trooper.

"Yeah, what's your octarian ID?" said another.

"Ummm...ink this," said the defective twintacle as it pounced on the other twintacle, knocking it off it's scooter and slapping it, knocking the sunglasses and beret off it's face. The other troopers took action before they could react and also kicked the enemy troopers of their rides. This gave the defective tentacles a chance to run away before the enemy octarians could recover and raced toward the facility to find a way to get to the Lynx IFV and try to get it out and on the surface.

Seth was on the other side of the neighborhood and tried to give the pursuing octarians the slip. He darted around a house and triped on a tricycle laying the grass. As he got up her heard the troopers come around the corner and when they spotted him, they shot at him. Missing Seth as he got out of their range. He took cover behind a fence and began shooting at them which wasn't stopping them. He aimed at one and shot it off the scooter then a another. The troopers were persistent and were eager to catch Seth.

Seth yet again had to keep moving and when he ran into another yard, he spotted his squad across the street, looking for an opportunity to run across without getting spotted but as he did he did he was ambushed by a figure that jumped off the roof of the nearby house and kicked Seth down, knocking his weapon out of his hands. He proceded to retrieve his rifle, only to be stepped on by a boot. He looked up and froze, seeing someone that caused him to shake his head, thinking that his eyes might have been impaired. The figure looking down at him was not an octoling but they couldn't have been human due to the tentacles and eyes.

Six hours earlier...

Inside a large dark chamber, sat a large figure sitting on the floor with their legs crossed. Their eyes were closed as it if they were meditating in the quiet dark room they were locked in. The sound of the large metal door that was the entry in the room was being unlocked as it slowly opened, allowing light to bleed inside the chamber and reveal the backside of a prisoner that was sitting in the floor.

"Octo Samurai," an indivual called out from the doorway. The hulking figure gave a deep breath and turned their head over to an elite standing at the doorway. It was Colonel Spectra.

"What have I done to deserve your presence," the large octarian asked her.

"A chance to regain your honor," Spectra answered.

The octo samurai's attention was gotten but soon he gave the elite a scowl before he stood up. Wearing a white Kimono that was opened up in the center. On top of his head a tentacle was tied into a pony tail with a white ribbon. He approached Spectra in a not so pleased manner and looked down at her.

"Honor...What do you know about honor. You pen me up as if I pose a threat to you and don't give me a reason as to why?" the octo samurai questioned her.

"You were placed in rehabilitation after you were sanitized. You're octo-cycle was discovered in one of the deepsea metro stations during the salvage and rescue mission of the NILS statue after it was destroyed. You're soul was trapped in it and we brought your weapon back to octo base and freed you, though you were still suffering from sanitization," she explained to the giant octarian.

"My memories are still a blur," he replied holding his head before looking back at Spectra, narrowing his eyes. "If I could remember anything it's being placed in the small prison with no light and little sustenance. Why should I trust you now after what I've been through octoling,"

"You best know who you're talking to you bloated tentacle," she sneered at the octarian before getting infuriated with the elite and grabbing her. Pulling her in front of his face.

Her guards quickly acted and aimed their octoshots on him. "Let her go or will shoot you! This is your only warning!" The octoling guards demanded.

"I'll squeeze the living ink out of you before your cronies can even knock me down. Give me a reason why I shouldn't. What is it that gave you the gall to even come here and even offer me any kind of redemption as if I would take it without a second thought,"

"I want you to take command of the troopers, GAH! And crush those traitors once and for all," she told as he was squeezing her.

"Who are these traitors?" he asked.

"The defectors (gasp)...our enemy and your enemy," she told him, losing breath from the octo samurai's tight grip.

The octo samurai narrowed his eyes even more and growled. Letting her go as she dropped to floor catching her breath. The octolings saw this as their opportunity to splat the octo samurai for attempting to kill the colonel. "Stand down!" Spectra ordered the guards. She was helped up and shrugged off the pain. "What'll it be? Staying in this damn place...or freedom?" asked Spectra.

"Honor," he replied.

"I knew you'd make the right decision,"

"You better be true to your word octoling," he loomed over them.

"I give you my word octo samurai...prove yourself and rightfully take back your honor," said Spectra as the two guards retrieved the giant roller for octo samurai and presented it to him. It was his old roller that could transform into the octocycle. He picked it up as it opened up into two rollers. He clutched the handle and swung it down to the floor in front of Spectra and her guards and picked it up and held it across his shoulder. "For honor! Long live the octarian empire!" he shouted.

"Long live the octarian empire!" The octolings shouted back.

General Scarlet was en route back to octo base after leaving the octarian royal palace outside of octopolis, the octarian capital. She was going through the events what had happened prior an hour ago after her visit with "the someone" she had mentioned to Spectra. After she left octo base, she made her way to the palace in her armed motorcade accompanied by her royal guards and protectors. The large black armored SUV stopped in front of the palace that was once occupied by the former octarian leader. The SUV door was opened and out stepped Scarlet herself.

"General," saluted the guard that opened the door for her.

She approached the main gate into the palace and was escorted by her armed entourage. As soon as she walked through the large, decorated wood doors, the guards waited outside. The palace was reminiscent of a Japanese castle including the interior with it's Japanese architecture with ornate walls and carpets. Walking through the rotunda and down another large corridor she met with the royal guards dressed in traditional samurai-like attire, welding octo brushes, standing watch outside the throne room.

"General," they all saluted, letting her in as she closed the large sliding doors behind her. The large chamber was vacant with only the throne itself across from the entrance though it oddly stuck out from the Japanese style interior but instead a giant throne with a DJ Booth sitting right in front of it. Speakers outlined the throne as large jars of wasabi stalks sat on each side of it.

Scarlet wiped the dust off the DJ table with her finger and rubbed it. "Pity...to think this was once the place where our glorious leader Octavio sat in power...It's a shame it's turned nothing into a dust magnet," said Scarlet.

She turned to something else that was in the corner of the large room. It seemed the royal chamber wasn't vacant at all but was still being occupied. A giant snow globe sat in the far corner. Inside it was what looked like a giant octopus and not just any octopus. The general walked over and tapped on the glass seeing her big octopus grandfather was asleep. He opened his eyes and saw Scarlet waving at him with a grin. "Wakey, wakey, grandfather," she said to him.

He gave her a hateful scowl and lunged toward her only to strike the glass wall. "Is that any way to greet your favorite granddaughter, well your only granddaughter,"

"You insolate brat...LET ME OUT OF THIS PRISON AT ONCE!" He boomed at her as he flailed his tentacles.

"I thought you'd enjoy it in there, reminding you of how you failed your people and getting defeated by those inkstain agents. I was even generous enough to put a replica of the octarian palace at the bottom of your little globe so you could feel as if you were still reigning over your former castle," said Scarlet.

Octavio just got angrier and beat on the glass. "Hey! I gave you a chance and you refused it. You couldn't settle being my second-in-command which I think was more than fair for someone that's lost to the squids three times...counting the great turf war,"

"If I couldn't beat those inklings what makes you think you will?" questioned Octavio.

"Using my stoppable army and true leadership skills, unlike you," she replied back to him.

"You're making a grave mistake. Bringing the humans back...you won't control them and once they figure out we have dominated this world they will try and take it back from us. Just think, if the humans caused their own demise, then what would they do to us. I would wise up and heed this warning hipster," he tried to warn her.

"You may be right but then again when have you ever been right...except declaring war on the inklings. Humans have an advantage we don't and that's being immune to ink. I'll find way to control them, whether it be the hypnowave or any other means. I will assemble my unstoppable army," said Scarlet.

"Naive is what you are. You'll bring doom to us and have us extinct like those humans from years ago. Humans may be intelligent but they're destructive as well. I don't understand why you can't see that," Octavio kept reasoning.

"I'll hear no more grandfather. You can rant as much as you want but there's nothing that will change my mind. Enjoy your solitude and be thankful I came by and gave you the company. It's unfortunate that you're stubborn as ever and continue to hold on to the past. I, myself plan on finishing what you could never do and that's defeating those wretched squid once and for all," she told as she started to walk away.

Octavio banged on the glass to get her attention. "Scarlet! Don't do this!" he shouted at her. "SCARLET!" Not getting through to her, he was left alone in the throne room as Scarlet made her way back to the motorcade.

Recalling her feud with her grandfather Octavio back at the palace, her motorcade travelled through Octopolis. Watching octarians and octolings alike walking down the streets, looking up at the skycrapers in the underground city. Scarlet was determined to change the outlook of Octarian society. No more would they dwell underground and wonder when the power would go out again but reestablish the octarian empire back on the surface and take Inkopolis for themselves and crush the inklings, whether to enslave them or splat them if they fought back.

Unknown to everyone, even Octavio and her second-in-command Spectra, Scarlet had studied human history and culture so much that she understood human behavior and could even read human language and speak it. She was fascinated with humans and their technology and believed that the octolings and even inklings were the predecessor of humans. Having so much in common besides being able to shapeshift into cephalopod based lifeforms and having no skeletal systems. The octoling general wanted to alter octoling society besides conquering the surface and reestablish their once proud octarian kingdom, she wanted to find a way to transcend her race back to the humans somehow. She started to nod off, besides wanting to be human-like. She had dreams...dreams of being in the human world, meeting humans and obtaining their knowledge. Many under her were critical of her beliefs so she decided that she kept her human knowledge to herself and even discussing her dreams with anyone. How she saw it, her people were misguided, and she wanted to open their eyes, but she would do it without their acknowledgement and force her will on her own species stealthily.

After a few minutes, the motorcade slowed down and were approaching the octo base checkpoint. A flooder was parked over the gate and two octosniper towers guarded each side. Shielded twintacles and a few octolings manned the checkpoint. One of them approaching the SUV as Scarlet rolled the window down. The octoling gave a salute and the flooder powered off, allowing the general and her motorcade access.

Once they got inside, they were greeted by more octarian guards, escorting her out and back inside the base. "What's the status on the battalion that's being deployed to dome 13, the one with the human facility now being occupied by those defectors?" asked the general.

"They are loading up on the octozeppelins as we speak and we're also sending a industrial sqee-G to be dispatched as well. The defectors are a small enough force that they can't possibly hold us off let alone lasting 10 minutes against the major's troops," said an elite that approached her.

"Do not think that our troops could just easily push their way through and splat the defectors in one easy swoop. With that place hosuing the humans and who knows what else. We can't be certain what to expect, after we've just recovered a human from the commando unit. Speaking of which I wanna know if the scientists have made any progress and where's Spectra?" asked Scarlet.

"She was supposed to go talk to our prisoner, the octo samurai and make a deal with him,"

"Deal? What kind of deal? He's been isolated because of the effects from the sanitization," questioned the general. "Something else that I wish to discuss with those scientists," she muttered to herself.

"What did you general?" asked the elite.

"Nothing...I don't know what she expects to get out of that tub of lard. I doubt he would be compliant,"

"She wanted to see if the samurai would lead the octarians in battle against the defectors. An adversary to ensure a crushing blow to our enemies general,"

"If the samurai is willing to fight then very well...other than that, my focus is dealing with those defectors so we can retrieve those humans and collect the technology from that place,"

"General I also would like to inform you that our communication network has been picking up erratic frequencies coming from an unknown source. It sounds like someone is talking but their language is...unknown, it's not octarian or inkling and our scouts as well as one of the outpost on the east side of our territory has also spotted an unidentified flying object of unknown origin. Our scouts described it as something similar to the octoseeker but much faster and larger. It was headed south and we're not sure where it is now,"

"An unidentified flying object? Interesting...see if you can dispatch some teams to go investigate. Surely it couldn't have gotten far and find out what it is and whose operating it," Scarlet ordered the elite and the regulars.

"Yes, General,"

Scarlet proceeded to head inside the command center. Once she got there, she saw the room was already being occupied by unexpected guests. Silas and Eve were sitting nervously at the large circular table that was used for meetings, but they weren't alone. Another figure was sitting at the table but farther from them, glaring at Scarlet with their octopus-like eyes as they slowly stood up and scooted there chair back under the table.

"What are doing here without my request?" Scarlet asked the two scientists.

They tried not to look at Scarlet but they had to explain their reason for being there as uneasily as they felt. "My general...we...um..." Silas stammered.

"I asked to be taken to their leader...I assume that's you," said the figure.

"Who the shell are you!?" Scarlet exclaimed looking back toward the stranger.

The figure walked closer revealing themselves under the lighting. Scarlet was flabbergasted at the figure, wondering who or what he was and why he needed to see her. "I wanna make a deal," said Donovan.

"D... Deal...what is the meaning of this!?...I want some answers!" demanded Scarlet, raising her voice.

"You'll get them...but right now, I wanna make a proposition,"

"How dare you come in here and disrespect me. I should just have you all splatted right now,"

"General please...he gave us no choice. Believe it or not this is the human that was brought in by the commandos. He would like to willingly fight for you and dispose of the defectors but he ask that he be brought to the defector's base, or should I say that human facility he was taken from," explained Silas, seeing Scarlet get angrier.

"This is the human? What do you take me for. This is no human...it looks like some kind of deformed octoling or something. Speaking of which have you scientists made any progress with the..."

"You listen here you red-headed little inker. I got no time for this bull crap! You may not believe those scientists or whatever they portray themselves as, but I am a human even if I don't look it. They told me all about your little pet project and I'm willing to fight but on my terms. My only interest is getting back inside that underground facility and locating my girlfriend. I don't care what you do to the others...you can do whatever you want with them like creating this so-called unstoppable army you're concocting but me and my girlfriend are blowing this place and starting over somewhere far away from here and away from you octo freaks,"

"You demand from me, then you insult us and now you expect me to let you go...you're a bold one aren't you. You got moxy but it was a grave mistake. I'm not going to take this lightly as a matter of fact I'll have you all thrown into prison but you on the other hand...are gonna get splatted and I'm gonna watch as I smile," turning toward Donovan.

"How about I come over there and give you something to smile about. You think you can just apprehend me that easily. Your weapons aren't that effective, so I suggest you rethink your strategy. As I said...I'll fight for you in this battle with the defectors or whoever you call them but I wanna be allowed to hunt for my girlfriend,"

"Very well...you've gotten my attention... in the wrong way. Don't consider this weakness human. My interest is getting inside that place too and maybe we can help each other out along the way,"

"I'm not helping you so much as I'm helping myself. I couldn't care enough about your stupid war. I wish I never woke and I wish I was never turning into a freak,"

"Um, General if I may interject...this human or former human, whatever he may be now. As he said is transforming into what we believe is an octoling. We're unsure why and he's not even sure as well. You believed that our race and the inkling derived from humans instead of our ancestors evolving on their own, according to our historic archives and the sunken sea scrolls. He maybe proof that you were right all along...but what could this mean for the rest of us, is the question," said Silas.

"Of course I was right. You honestly think that primitive octopi or squid for that matter just crawled out of the ocean and became what we are now. I would say that is highly unconceivable and I'm not convinced by what was written down in the sunken sea scrolls,"

"Hey! I don't care about your F-ing history lesson! Do we have an agreement or not!?" shouted Donovan angrily. Getting the attention of the three. Scarlet shot him a look of displeasure from his outburst and temperament but then her vexation subsided, and a grin appeared on her face.

"Yes...since you're so tenacious...once my second-in-command returns, we'll go over the plans to crush the rebels. My advice would be to quell that temper of yours and show us some respect, otherwise you can forget given a chance to return to that location housing the humans and seeing your girlfriend,"

"Fine...I'll be a good boy...for now but you better honor your word. Once I'm done I want out of this contract since you'll get what you wanted,"

Just then, Spectra stepped in along with her security detail. She stopped and looked around seeing the scientist as well as her leader in the conference room. "My apologizes, am I interrupting something?"

"No colonel as a matter of fact you couldn't have gotten here at a more perfect time. I was discussing matters with the researchers and also. I like to introduce a new addition to the battalion you're dispatching to Dome 13. His name is..."

"Donovan...sergeant Donovan. So, you things have a rank-and-file system like the army I used to serve before the nukes and oceans wiped my people out,"

"What is this...what's he doing here instead of being in confinement back at that lab?" Spectra questioned.

"Our little ace in hole. Our own secret weapon to deal with those defectors colonel. He wishes to serve me but on certain terms," said Scarlet, shooting Donovan a critical expression.

"This thing is unpredictable and has already made threats against us. General I advise not trusting him and placing him back in that glass cage with guards if need be," replied Spectra.

"At ease colonel. I make the decisions here and I have decided to let him deploy with the assault forces. He wishes to be reunited with his mate back at the facility which the defectors have turned into a base. If he's willing to be a valuable asset then why not let him,"

"(growling) He's a human! Or what used to be... I will not allow it to..."

"You will do as I ask Spectra! Am I clear,"

"Yes, my general," said Spectra as she gave a bow to show her respect.

"Retrieve the major, oh and what of the octo samurai,"

"He has agreed to fight as well. I'm assigning him to lead the tentacles out into the field,"

"Good...once they've made it here. We'll commence operation: stranglehold and exterminate the defector threat. Also I wish to bring up the defector cells that are also running around and could impersonating our own. See to it they are squashed too,"

"Yes, general,"

20 minutes later. With everyone present in the meeting about operation: stranglehold. The major was informed about Donovan accompanying her unit which she was not happy about, sharing the same disposition as Spectra did. The octo samurai as big as he was with his head nearly touching the ceiling of the room, loomed over the table and listened in. He was informed he would lead the non-octolings, such as the troopers in the battle. The large bloated octarian had his arms crossed, still holding resentment toward the octolings for imprisoning him from the Tartar's sanitization from back under the deepsea metro. It looked over at Donovan who propped over the chair with his boots on the conference table.

The octo samurai couldn't contain his disatisfaction anymore. "Insolent human," it popped off.

"You got something to say to me you bloated ink bag,"

The octosamurai scooted a chair out of its way and approached Donovan. "I will not tolerate your insults you ill-mannered wretch," said the samurai as Donovan got up and confronted the hulking octarian.

"Let's get one thing straight...I maybe fighting alongside you but that doesn't mean we're on the same side. So, I suggest you stay out of my way or interfere in my mission, or it'll be your last," Donovan threated the large octarian.

"You two sit down and show some decency in front of the general or so help me you two will be thrown back into your cells!" Spectra screamed at them.

"The two looked at each other and narrowed their eyes. Deciding to walk away and be civil. The meeting continued without any more interruptions. The strategy was to deploy the troopers first and let them wear down the defectors. Afterward if the troopers numbered had diminished to where the defectors still proved a threat then the octolings would be deployed. Octo zeppelins would provide air support and the industrial Squee-G and a few octostamp DX tanks would reinforce the ground forces. The troopers would be led by the octo-samurai and the octolings by the major. Donovan would be a trump card when the need for him arises, preferable when the fight was taken at the facility itself due to the unknown intel about the layout of the facility itself. Donovan would rush in extinguish the threat with the octarian forces behind him to occupy it and deal with the human threat Seth.

"So this other human you've mention. You say he's working with these defectors as you've called them. What do you know about him?" asked Donovan.

"The human has been somewhat of a linchpin for our adversaries for some time. He was initially supposed to be captured but our attempts were failure. We need you to deal with him but don't kill him. I want him alive," said Spectra.

"So what if tries to kill me. I can't guarantee anything but a body,"

"Do what you must but I prefer he be spared if its do-able. Is there any other questions?"

"Very well...this meeting is adjourned. We'll assemble the troops. Octo Samurai, go with the major and get ready to board the octozeppelin. Human... before you depart. I want you to head back to the lab with Silas so we can get a blood sample. Your...condition has peeked our interest and we would like to know why you're turning into an octoling,"

"The name's Donovan you miserable little inker...but fine. I'll do as you ask so you can draw some blood from me for your little project. After that, I leave and get this over with as soon as possible. I'll be glad to get away from octo heads which ain't soon enough,"

"As unpleasant as you've been. I could say the same...but in some crazy way I'll say we appreciate your help, somewhat,"

"Yeah, whatever,"

"He's beginning to really get under my tentacles. I still feel this is bad idea," spectra muttered to Scarlet.

"Patience, Spectra. I don't intend on letting that human go after we've taken the defector's base. He may be somewhat of an ally for the time being but I don't want this to come back and haunt us. Even though he is or was a human. I want him apprehended after we're done with the defectors," said Scarlet.

The current time now...

Seth's eyes were locked to the figure standing over his rifle. He could partially recognize the figure as the human that he carried into the medical bay in the facility after waking up. He remembered the octarian commandos snuck inside the complex and took him while he and the squad were gone... but what happened to him?

"It's you...that guy that woke up out of that pod a week ago," said Seth as he was stunned.

"Don't take this personally but someone's waiting for me in that damn facility and if that means dealing with you then so be it," said Donovan as kicked Seth away, landing his boot in his face, causing his nose to bleed.

"What the hell is your problem!? Don't tell me your helping the octarians. Why on earth would you? after they abducted you. You may not know this but..."

"They're creating this unstoppable army with the humans in those cryo pods, blah, blah, blah. I know and I made a deal. My freedom as well as my girlfriend for those humans, counting you," Donovan told him.

"You what! You piece of shit...how could you sell out your own," replied Seth as he got up.

"Easy...and don't think I'm siding up with those octo freaks. This is just a mutual agreement and once they've gotten what they wanted. I'm taking my girl and we're making our way for the surface,"

"I don't know what you'll accomplish once you do. Humanity is gone and there's nothing to go back to...what makes you think your girlfriend is in one of the pods,"

"Guess there's only one way to find out,"

Donovan charged at Seth as he quickly got up. The two of them locked into a fist fight but Donovan was stronger due to his abnormal stamina from the octoling traits he possessed and overpowered Seth. He threw a punch at Donovan, but he grabbed Seth's arm and slung him to the ground. Donovan attempted to smash Seth's head in the ground with his foot but Seth rolled out of the way and pulled out his Glock 19.

He shot at Donovan, but he dodged the first couple of shots and was struck in the side of his abdomen, though this slowed him down, he still lunged at Seth, knocking the handgun away from him and disarming the human. Now in a test of strength the two locked hands to pin the other to the ground and it was evident, Seth was losing.

The gunfire caught the octoling squads' attention, the enemy troopers' numbers were dwindling allow the defectors to gain an advantage, but Mirage spotted Seth struggling with a figure, Donovan.

"Oh carp! Seth I'm coming!" shouted Mirage as she octo formed and ran toward the two. Vee, Luna, and Star were agape by the figure fighting Seth on who or what the creature was. It was as tall as Seth, appearing human but with octoling features. Donovan was pressing Seth down with his strength before Mirage rushed over and changed back from her octopus form. Running at Donovan, she jumped up and kicked Donovan right in the head, causing him to let go and flail back.

Holding his head from the kick. Donovan looked back and saw the elite shooting him a death glare. "Why you miserable piece of calamari," he jeered at her.

He rushed her and jumped in the air to try kick her but failed as she evaded his attack and propelled herself and landed her own punch at him, hitting him in the jaw. Donovan fell back, not expecting the blow to have so much power behind it.

Seth stood up and loomed over Donovan holding his sidearm over him as he laid on the ground. "Enough! This comes to an end!" Seth shouted at him.

"Seth, who is this bastard?"

"He was the human that woke up out of that pod. The one that the commandos took,"

"That can't be him," said Mirage in disbelief.

"It is...seems he's made a deal with the octarians. He traded my kind or should I say our kind to them for freedom and his girlfriend who he thinks is still in one of those cryopods back in the facility,"

"I did what I had to do...you would have done the same!" snapped Donovan as he laid on the ground, the pistol pointed at his face.

"There's no excuse for selling us out like that. Not sure whether I should shoot you or not," Seth told him.

"Seth don't... he's not worth it. You don't need to kill another human or...octoling?"

"Guess you've noticed I'm turning into one of you things. Those lab coat wearing octo creeps said I was and that I had a purpose and that was to serve their leader. I was crazy enough to believe them and here I am, I've surely lost my humanity in this crazy world. My home and my old life is gone and the only thing I have to look forward to is seeing my girl if she'd even recognize me or accept the fowl creature I've become,"

"I'm losing sympathy for you very fast. Seth has accepted the way things are and you haven't but instead you're stewing in your own despair. You seem to despise my species and now you don't even care about the humans anymore. You're a pathetic mongrol and you've betrayed your own kind. You have no place here," Mirage told him.

"Don't you dare lecture to me you insignificant cephalopod,"

"Hey! I won't tolerate you talking to her like that...if anyone here is insignificant it's you!" Seth shouted at him. "Give me a reason not to kill you,"

"Go ahead and put me out of my misery then," he told Seth. "Then again, I don't think you got it in you,"

"You were a soldier before our cryostasis weren't you. Pulled for the super soldier program like me. Why don't you have tentacles growing out of your head or a sharp beak in your mouth. What makes you privileged that you aren't turning into this...what makes you different? I seen things I wish I hadn't seen and gone through so much that training never prepared me for. We all thought we were fighting for a cause...fighting for home, fighting for our families...they were all lies," Donovan rambled.

"SHUT UP!" Seth screamed at him, glaring down at Donovan with the intent to murder him as Mirage watched and was getting very worried about Seth.

"Unwilling to accept the truth...I have a feeling the truth is lying deep inside the place we woke out of. I'm sure there's something the scientists had been hiding especially Blackwell himself," said Donovan as he smiled at Seth.

"Blackwell...that name sounds familiar,"

"Memory loss...another side effect from being frozen in that pod. They didn't care, we were all lab rats, everyone one of us...meaning you too,"

"Seth, what's he going on about?" asked Mirage.

"It's too late to do anything. It's over...mankind is finished,"

"Seth...SETH!" Mirage shouted at the human, seeing his expression getting overwhelmed with grief as his hands shook holding the pistol on Donovan.

BANG! Seth pulled the trigger, followed by a pause and stillness in the air. It was if all the anger that had built up had been diverted over to his finger, causing him to shoot the sidearm still aimed at Donovan. Mirage looked over after she closed her eyes and saw that Donovan had froze, the bullet nearly striking him, grazing his cheek and hitting the ground beside his hand. Feeling the blood run down the side of face with both shock and anger at Seth seeing he nearly killed him.

Seth came out of his trance and his eyes moved around. He saw that he had blacked out and pulled the trigger of the pistol and was looking at Donovan who was staring back at him with an unnerved expression. Taking advantage of Seth's stupor, he quickly jumped up and kicked the handgun out of Seth's hand and choke slammed Seth into the ground, strangling him.

Mirage sprang into action and tried to get Donovan off of Seth only to back handed and knocked away as he continued to choke the life out of Seth but then a glob of ink struck him in the head, disorienting him as he released Seth. Seth slowly crawled away, holding his neck from getting choked.

It was Vee he shot at Donovan. Seeing he was at a disadvantage he rushed away out of sight getting hit in the chest before he did. The ink feeling as if corrosive, Donovan was in sharp pain and fled the scene, still eager to find his girlfriend inside the facility.

"Vee, I owe you one," said Seth still rubbing his neck.

"I couldn't let him kill you," she told him as she helped him up. Mirage watched the private help Seth on his feet. Saving the human she had admiration for. The elite rubbed her face from getting punched by Donovan and sulked a little, disappointed with herself for not saving Seth. Avoiding the two she walked away but Vee and Seth watched, wondering what was wrong with Mirage.

They all soon joined up together though it seemed the battle had resolved for the time being but things weren't over with yet. The ground forces were pushing their way into the housing with the industrial squee-G covering the street with octarian ink as a small convoy of octostamp tanks followed behind it, dismounting enemy forces from the back hatches. The octozepplein moved up from overhead and the octo samurai watching from on top of it dropped down, using his roller to cushion the fall and prepare to lead another assault on the defectors.

Maxine and her troops watched and knew that things were about to get hot and heavy, losing two of their soldiers and another injured. It would be impossible at this point to repel any attack so they fell back up the hill at the entrance of the facility in hopes of gaining higher ground and bottlenecking any troopers or octolings from trying to take the site. Mirage, Seth, and her squad covered from behind.

The octo-samurai shot them a glare, seeing them as retreating cowards that deserved nothing else but to get splatted. The octarians slowly pushed forward and now the defectors had to set up defenses and keep them from coming up and entering the facility. Luna, mounting the FN Evolys LMG on the hood of a vehicle facing the path. Star setting up a sniping position while the others hunkered down in their battle stations. Vee on one side behind cover and Mirage on the other and Seth standing in between. Mirage glanced over to the two and conflictions were running through her mind but she had to stay concentrated on the battle at hand. What will the outcome be now for Seth and the defectors. Would they be able to defend the facility from Scarlet's forces or would they get overrun and fail their objective?

Meanwhile...

Back at the mysterious facility, the two inking agents and the little salmonid had reached the interior of the building that was breached by their unknown culprits. Sam jumped inside to investigate as lil' buddy and Flash hopped in behind her. The trio entered into what appeared to be a large empty lobby. The walls and floors were caked with dust. The facility seems to have been abandoned for years. Litter was scattered around but Sam spotted the boot prints leading from the doorway, further into the dilapidated building.

"Look, whoever it was went this way," said Sam. Flash was weary about tracking down the boot prints but stayed behind Sam and Lil' Buddy. Down a messy corridor, the two followed the prints to another room. The tracks went down another hallway.

"Sam it's not too late go back. I got a bad feeling in my tentacles about this," advised Flash.

"If you wanna stay back then fine. I'll go without you," she told him.

"No, I don't wanna get left behind,"

"Then shut up and watch our six,"

Sam cautiously stepped ahead and walked down the dark hallway as Flash kept watch from behind to make sure no one would get the drop on them. Around the corner through a doorway the three of them walked into a large room. The boot prints went in and through what appeared to be a large metal door but it was locked.

"Well looks like a dead end," said Flash as he headed toward the exit.

"Not so fast. There's gotta be way to open it. Look around for a switch or something," Sam told him. Flash growled in defeat and looked around the room for a clue to open the metal door. Lil' Buddy sniffed around as Sam was rummaging through desk drawers. Flash griped as he was searching for anything that could hint as to opening the entry but then he spotted a light source. I computer monitor across the room facing the large door. He headed up and looked at it. "Hey Sam, come look at this," he told her.

"What'd you find?" she asked.

"Um, not sure... I can't read any of this? It's not in inkling," he told her.

"Huh, let me see," said Sam as she pushed Flash over and observed the monitor. The text was in human language and the inklings couldn't figure out what any of it meant. It seemed someone or something had tampered with it recently. "So...any ideas," Flash asked.

"Someone's been here,"

"Yeah but who, octarians,"

"I've done told you it wasn't octarians that caused those tracks or opened that door from the outside. Something doesn't seem right,"

"Oh now you say that after we came inside,"

"I'm getting sick of that beak of yours and I'm regretting taking you with me,"

"I wish you would've left me at the police station too. I'm sick of being an agent and if I would've known I'd be facing salmonids and whatever made those tracks I wouldn't have joined especially now I'm in this inking place with you!" Flash snapped back, accidently smacking the keyboard and unlocking the large metal door.

The inkling heard the locks disengage and the light above it turns from red to green. "Flash you opened it,"

"I did, of course I did," he said puffing out his chest.

Once the door opened a figure behind it appeared wearing some kind of strange goggles and headgear. their body was covered with tactical gear and armed with some kind of strange weapon. They were too tall to be an inkling or octoling. As soon as the figure aimed the weapon at where the inklings were standing, they quickly squid formed and got out of sight as a weapon light was beaming the area around the computer terminal. It walked in with the weapon up and scanned the room.

Sam watched from behind a metal container on the floor. What was that thing she wondered? As she examined it she recognized the weapon. It was rifle much like the one Seth was carrying...but that would mean. Then the figure wasn't alone. three more dressed like it stepped into the room and looked around. "What is it?" one asked in a muffled voice from behind a breathing mask. A set off night vision goggles covering their eyes.

"Someone unlocked the door. Scanning the room," they replied back.

"Pilot radioed in that there were intruders that entered the building through the breach we made," said the second figure.

As the inkling agents watched from their hiding places, the first figure in the tactical attire, pulled their NV goggles up and removed their respirator mask. Sam's eyes widened while she was in her squid form. The figure revealed itself to be human but that wasn't the only strangest part. Their eyes were black with glowing green irises and their skin was pale with a sickly greenish complexion.

They stepped up as Sam huddled behind her cover to keep out of sight. The human turned and looked at the other three. "Clear the room, we can't be compromised. Per orders from Blackwell," said the first figure in a static-like voice.

The other three aimed their weapons around the room, intent on locating the squidbeak agents and Lil' Buddy. It seemed now that salmonids weren't the only threat they had to worry about and what were the humans doing down there and why did they have that zombified appearance? It looks as if Sam and Flash had gotten themselves in another dilemma and would they ever slither their way out of this one?

To be continued...