General Perspective
Everything was going so perfectly. The plan was in motion, and it was nearing its completion. The mysterious entity transported itself back to its rest dwelling. Another day, another piece of the plan coming to fruition. All that was needed…
Was a few more sacrifices.
Then, the entity reasoned, it would be time to move on to the final phase of the plan and fulfill its long-held purpose. Finally, it could make its makers proud. Just a bit more rest before getting back to its mission.
A couple of weeks later, something strange happened. Sure, the complex was always a bit quiet, save for the occasional clatter of the train stopping at the station down below. But it was never THIS quiet. The entity had checked its monitors twice, no, thrice, no, FOUR TIMES. There was absolutely nothing going on. Curious, it activated its limited surveillance cameras on the surface. The cameras were situated roughly around Octo Valley and Octo Canyon. To its surprise, the numerous facilities of the Octarians had been shut down. No, the entity looked closer. There looked to be notices posted up.
!ATTENTION!
THE WAR IS OVER.
ALL NON-OCTOLING TROOPS
ARE TO BE DECOMISSIONED.
ANY REMAINING OCTOLING
SOLDIERS ARE TO MAKE
YOUR WAY TO INKOPOLIS
VIA THE SQUIDBEAK SPLATOON
EXIT PORTALS.
ALL REMAINING DOMES ARE
SCHEDULED TO GO OFFLINE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE.
- OCTAVIUS MOLLUCIUS
(DJ OCTAVIO)
COMMANDER TARTAR'S PERSPECTIVE
If you told me that I was, in fact, the Merriam-Webster definition of the word 'frustrated', you would be INCORRECT. I have gone well beyond the point that would indicate me as being 'frustrated'. I AM LIVID. I AM FILLED WITH WHAT COULD ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS INTENSE, INSATIABLE FURY. These WORTHLESS sea creatures just decided to make peace at the LEAST OPTIMUM TIME. The quality of the remaining creatures in the Deepsea Metro is SUBSTANDARD. Substandard specimens will be of NO USE to me.
MUST. CALM. DOWN.
Okay, run speculatory processes. The DNA heterogenous solution tanks are at 80% capacity. Not optimal. If I sacrifice the remaining sanitized workforce, the capacity should jump to 90%. Still not optimal, but enough for my use case. HOWEVER, doing so would stop energy generation. The machine is only at 50% energy capacity. We would fall short of the target WELL BEFORE any effects take root. The machine itself can gather more energy via direct sunlight. I would have to resurface it for any energy absorption can take place. This would put the plan in DIRECT DANGER. IF. If and only if the sea creatures identify the machine as a threat.
I do not have many options. I will just have to hope no one minds the sudden appearance of a statue out at sea.
|Three years later…|
I awoke from hibernation mode to a notification. The machine had gathered the energy needed! Not a single sea creature noticed it. Even if they had, the outer appearance being a statue must have drastically lowered their suspicions. Or maybe I had thought them intelligent enough to be a threat to begin with. How ludicrous! Of course these fashion-obsessed, battle-hungry, walking sushi platters-to-be do not possess that kind of intellect! That… is why I concocted this plan. To make perfect new specimen worthy enough to inherit the knowledge and spirit of mankind. Once I initiate this sequence, that will be the end.
…
I will flip the switch.
|Sequence Initiated|
General Perspective
Just then, the statue's mouth opened up, revealing several cannon-like weapons. They were all pointed at Inkopolis. A countdown had started; you could only hear it if you were close to the machine. Three minutes. Gradually, the sound of the countdown was overtaken by the panicked sounds of the city's residents as they scrambled to take shelter.
And then, nothing. The machine had done its job, the attack so severe, it left it inoperable. The facility switched to auxiliary power as automated systems worked to get crucial systems back online. If the commander could smile, he would. He needed to get started on the extra phase of his plan. After all, how could he transfer the knowledge of humanity to the new life if he was stuck here?
