Chapter 4: Sector Eden

"The garden's overrun with weeds."

While Akikta was probably about to get into even more trouble, elsewhere, it seemed like the end of the line for two squids.

Trapped inside a prison of glass was Inka, and across from her, Marie. Both were being transported from the Superiority Complex to a new area called Sector Eden.

Inka hoped they would somehow be rescued before they arrived, but thanks to the salmonids exploiting octarian technology, they reached the sector in no time flat.

On the bright side, Inka got a gorgeous view of Sector Eden. There was an abundance of circular platforms filled with grass fields, gardens, and even dense forests; Completely opposite from the metropolis Atlantis was known for.

Beneath all the platforms was a vast murky green water with various tubes sprouting from it. These tubes spiraled all around Sector Eden, spraying the green fields like sprinkler systems.

"Marvelous, isn't it?" A voice asked, making Marie and Inka glare at the person who spoke. It was Clod, the king salmonid tasked by the lord himself to escort the two inklings.

Compared to every other salmonid, Clod was quite unique. For one, he towered over her and Marie, being a mighty height of fifteen feet, which seems like a lot, but King Salmonids were usually much bigger.

Secondly, he was the only salmonid with flowing green hair that oddly resembled kelp. Though, it matched nicely with his green overalls.

"This place was once used by the ancients to grow their own food." Clod stuck out his black fins. "Growing food underwater? Only the ancients could think of such creative ingenuity!" He praised.

Marie raised an eyebrow. "You... do realize plants already grow underwater, right?" she said, pointing out the idiocy of Clod's statement. The salmonid responded with a quiet grumble before nudging his large goggles over his pupilless green eyes.

The three would land on a large, square platform. Other salmonids already occupied the area, mostly chum and cohocks.

In the center of the square platform were large furnaces, blasting heat and fire. They were crudely constructed compared to the rest of Sector Eden. Inka and Marie only had a second to examine the furnaces.

"Ah, there he is." Marie snapped her head in the voice's direction, whereas Inka shyly lowered hers. She didn't need to look to know who was speaking. It was Sal.

Inka watched Clod bow from the corner of her eyes. "As requested, I have brought the two inklings, my lord."

Sal clapped his hands, a large smile plastered on his face. "Good, good. Now we can–"

"Father?" A voice interrupted, causing Inka to look up.

"Ooh, looks like they grabbed Akikta already. Perfect timing." Sal snatched the radio holstered around his waist, holding it to his ear. "Masu, my girl, you've outdone yourself again! You and Huchen caught that human faster than I expected! Though, of course you did. I'd expect nothing less from my spawn." He grinned, his tail swaying happily from side to side.

"Well... about that..." Masu groaned nervously over the radio. It may have sounded weird to everyone else, but Inka knew that type of groan better than anyone. "The human...escaped..."

"Come again?" Sal's tail stopped swaying.

"W-we followed the signal, and we ended up coming across that hidden den of the traitorous exiled."

"Oh, so the exiled ones are helping the human, are they?"

"Most of the exiled have been dealt with. Their forces were no match for ours."

"Alright... then I fail to understand why the human hasn't been brought before me."

"A third party helped him."

"Third-party?" Sal sounded utterly confused. Inka and Marie looked at each other, conveying the same level of confusion between themselves.

"D-don't worry, Father! They may have gotten away now, but we are still tracking them as we speak! The unknown third party will be dealt with soon, and the human will be groveling at your feet. I promise."

Sal snarled under his breath. "He hasn't got much time, which means we don't have much time either. So, make haste." He clicked a button, ending the transmission before holstering the radio back onto his belt.

Sal tapped his foot and pinched the bridge of his nose while looking annoyed. "Third-party? What is that girl on about? The only other thing on Atlantis is the exiles. What other party could be–" His foot stopped tapping. A train of realization hit him as his eyes widened in slow motion. "Don't tell me, is the Splatoon here?! CLOD!"

Clod jumped. "M-my lord?"

"I told you to monitor them!"

"I-I have been! The Manta Maria stopped moving ages ago. They're visible, but not within boarding distance! At least...they shouldn't be..."

Sal scratched the top of his head. "Don't tell me they boarded us and we didn't even notice..."

Amidst Sal's panicked state, his stomach growled monstrously loud. Everyone in the vicinity stared at him in response. "Gah, this situation has made me hungry." Sal pointed at the jar holding Inka and Marie. "Cook them!"

Now it was their turn to be afraid.

Cohocks surrounded the glass jar, hoisting it into the air and towards one of the weirdly shaped furnaces. The heat was unbearably high, so much so, Inka felt great warmth without even being near it.

Being cooked alive was definitely one of the worst ways to go, and judging by Marie's hyperventilation, it wasn't a way she wanted to die. Well, neither did Inka.

"W-wait!" Inka shouted, earning the attention of Sal. The cohocks noticed this and stopped their approach.

"Wait? Why would I do that? I've been waiting years for this day, and it's finally come! So sorry, but I'm not gonna stop just because some sniveling inkling said to."

"I-I'm not telling you to stop! I'm telling you to consider the alternatives!" She blabbered, causing a frightened Marie to stare at her.

Sal eyed Inka, gesturing for the cohocks to put the jar down.

After they set it back down on Clod's UFO, Sal approached with a serious expression on his face. He was scary before, but his enormous figure and sickly humanoid appearance made him that much more intimidating. Inka felt chills running throughout her body.

"I know you're just stalling, but I'll bite." Sal placed his hands on his knees and lowered himself to her height. "Tell me, little squid. What other alternatives are there?" He asked, now putting the weight of two lives on Inka's shoulders.

She glared at Marie, then back at the salmonid, desperately searching her mind for a solution. There had to be something that was more interesting to Sal than simply eating them. Something that would also give Marie and her ample time to devise an escape plan.

But as she thought about it, nothing came to mind. Everything around her darkened, and the only thing she could hear now was the beating of her hearts. This was it, wasn't it? Nothing would appease this monster enough to stall for time.

Wait. No, there was something!

Inka's eyes came back into focus. "I-it's not me you really want, it's Marie! S-so... why eat her now when you can have a whole buffet of her later?" Inka's suggestion caused both Sal and Marie to raise their brows in confusion. "I was l-listening earlier. You said Marie's type of ink is rare to come b-by. So, why not clone her first? Then you won't ever have to worry about it!" She stumbled over her words, but got her point across.

Marie looked at Sal in anticipation. "That's..." Sal paused and looked away, taking a few moments to consider Inka's proposition. "...Actually, not a bad idea. Huh, why didn't I think of that?"

He stood upright, turning to Clod. "Change of plans. We're going back to the Superiority Complex."

"Wah?! Back?!" Clod said, baffled.

"Yes, back. Now, hurry up! I'm getting hungrier just thinking about all the delicious meals I can turn Ikayaki into!"

Clod looked like he wanted to protest. Inka couldn't blame him. Imagine being told to bring something to a location you just left. Even if his platform allowed him to fly, who'd want to do that?

In the end, Clod reluctantly prepped the UFO for takeoff. This time, Sal was coming with—which wasn't something Inka minded, since it meant they'd live a little longer.

She turned to Marie, who looked back at her in bewilderment and admiration. Inka merely responded with a nod.

It took every ounce of her not to fangirl on the idol. But considering the circumstances, now was definitely not an appropriate time. She doubted Marie was on good terms with her anyway. After all, she did aid in her kidnapping.

Still, she hoped this little stunt bought them enough time to mend the relationship her horrible first impression caused. She didn't want to die. Not yet, and especially not in a place like this.