The groups took a short moment to celebrate their victory against the Sovereign of the Ring of Mephitis, especially happy that they're not so incredibly repulsed by the smell of the area anymore. Agent 2 had clutched Agent 3 tightly knowing that they're all okay and there's no threat, Deep Cut yelling out in triumph, the raiders sticking to themselves in a quiet celebration, while Agent 1 and Agent 4 did some sort of secret handshake. The only one not celebrating was Captain, who was thinking about how to cover up this giant tunnel, and also knowing Cadavere wasn't the only one with that kind of title, it didn't put her at ease at all.
Agent 1: Hey Captain? Why aren't you celebrating? Are you alright?
Captain: Huh? It's nothing, just lost in thought.
Agent 4: So, how do we go about closing this up?
Shiver: Oh that? We can just get Splatlands Construction Co. to help us close it!
Frye: There's something we have to deal with first...
Frye started stamping over toward the raiders, trying to look menacing toward the four of them, being met with annoyed expressions and a growling Hystera.
Frye: You lot need to get off our turf!
Gizmo: Your turf?! This was closer to our turf than it is to Splatsville!
Specter turned over to get Vandal's attention before starting to sign to him.
Specter: "Should we really deal with this? We can just go."
Vandal: You're right. Let's just get out of here.
Vandal puts Hystera back on her leash before pulling her along as she clawed at the ground trying to attack Frye, barking all the while. Gizmo just scoffed before walking with Vandal, Specter only giving them a blank stare before joining her group in leaving.
Frye: Yeah, that's right! You better leave!
Big Man: Ay, ay... (We really could just leave them alone, you know...)
Frye: Oh come on Big Man, don't tell me you're thinking they own this land.
Big Man: Ay- ay. (No I'm not- never mind.)
Agent 2: Captain, do you mind if we're relieved of duty, I'd like to take Agent 3 back home.
Captain looked over to the voice addressing her, seeing Agent 2 standing slightly in front of Agent 3, both looking weary from the battle. She nods her head once before looking back to the tunnel, pondering more, hearing footsteps getting quieter as they get further away from her until all she could hear was the winds breezing through the crater.
The raiders had returned to their hideout after their venture through the sands, all going to their respective quarters to drop their gear into. Gizmo slumped over his work bench, hitting his head into his palms in frustration, speaking to himself.
Gizmo: That was my only damn prototype... at least it worked. I should have the schematics somewhere. But that girl with the hand—there's something interesting there. I need to run some tests.
Hystera: Oh! Are we kidnapping someone?! Are they for me?
Gizmo jumped back from his stool in shock seeing Hystera hang from the many railings above his quarters.
Gizmo: Hystera! What have you been told about going in other people's quarters!
Hystera quickly swung away, giggling to herself while leaving the room, hissing at Specter as she passed by her heading to the kitchen to find Vandal.
Specter: "Should we trust those people we met?"
Vandal: I'm unsure. Either way, I don't think Gizmo is the type of person to trust those affiliated with Deep Cut.
Specter: "By the way, I am sorry for missing my shots while we were there."
Vandal: We all make mistakes; don't let it get to you.
He could only hear what he felt was a sigh of relief from her respirator mask before watching her depart from the kitchen to do who knows what in her spare time, he's always wondered but never checked, choosing to respect her privacy. It felt good to be back at the hideout, away from the chaos… even if it meant coming back empty-handed.
Deep Cut arrived back in Splatsville to report the daily news about the stages that were coming up for the day. After the news was concluded, they made a meeting with the CEO of Splatlands Construction Co. Well, it was more they broke in and forced his hand to which he eventually agreed, getting movement towards the new crater to close up the sea passage that would've threatened them with more salmonids getting to the city. The trio had arrived back at their collective home, finally free of their duties that shackled them when they're so used to the chaotic freedom that the Splatlands provides.
Shiver: Another easy job for Deep Cut!
Big Man: Ay... (Sadly we couldn't get much for our people from there...)
Frye: I mean there were the cool gems at the bottom, but did you smell them? I don't wish that smell upon anybody.
Big Man: Ay, ay. (I suppose you have a point, Frye.)
Frye: So, Shiv, what's the plan now? Uhh, Shiver...?
Shiver despite her usually composed and refined self, had already passed out on the couch, having faceplanted into it without a care in the world after all that rushing around to get stuff sorted.
Big Man: Ay! Ay. (A good rest sounds real nice right about now! I'll see you two soon.)
Big Man waddled off to his room, his movements slow and deliberate, leaving Frye alone with an unconscious Shiver, eventually going to her own room to do the same as Big Man, it really had been a long day for them.
Callie: Thanks for the ride back home Reina! I appreciate it!
Callie waved goodbye to her friend before watching her ride off through the city of Inkopolis. She walked into her house, which was a bit detached from the hustle of the city, but still connected to it in a way. She ran to her bedroom and leapt onto her bed giddily and snuggling up with her many stuffed toys she has.
Callie: Awww bed, how I missed you so much... feels good to be back home.
Callie rolled around on her bed, messing up her hairstyle, not that it really bothered her much as she wasn't going out into public anytime soon. Thinking aloud to herself, she pondered taking a break, especially after all the hard work on the mission.
Callie: You know, maybe a vacation wouldn't hurt. I don't have any filming in the coming weeks... OOO OOO! What if I brought Marie too?! And my niece as well! It'll be the most awesomest vacation everrrrr!
She squirmed around on the bed trying to fish her phone out of her pocket, bringing it out and raising into the air in triumph before going online and searching for ideal vacation spots for 3.
Reina had left the city and rode her motorcycle across the country, heading not to her apartment that was way behind her in Inkopolis, but instead, back home with family, wanting a break from the hustle and bustle of everything. She slowly veered to the side as she parked outside the garage, taking her helmet off and leaving it on the handlebar and going to the front door. She hadn't even got a moment to breathe in the familiar scent of home after she entered before she was tackled by two younger inklings into a hug, her youngest twin brother and sister, Fenlan and Laila.
Fenlan & Laila: Big sis! You're backkkk!
Reina: Yeah, that's right. I'm back home!
She ruffled the heads of her two siblings who rushed at her before hearing a familiar voice call out to her.
Sophie: Reina, is that you dear?
Reina: Yeah mum, it's me!
Reina watched her mother come into view before her siblings shifted to her sides, clutching onto her legs as she was wrapped into a motherly embrace.
Reina: I count two, where is everyone else? Guess who's back!
She calls out through the house to alert her whole family that she'd arrived back home. Footsteps started coming from upstairs, some rushing down, though two being slower than the others.
Aazu: Hey Reina!
Starrun: Sis, you're back, it's been foreverrr since you were home.
Zayden: Heya, you caught me in the middle of my game.
Kaity: Hi...
Aazu, Starrun and Zayden had all come down with almost equal enthusiasm as each other before hugging Reina closely, all together while Kaity leant on the stairs railing, watching them without much of a reaction.
Sophie: Kaity, that's no way to greet your big sister-
Reina: It's fine mum. Where's Stiles and dad?
Sophie: Oh, your dad is away doing work. As for Stiles, he's all the way out in Splatsville with his bandmates, it's a shame he's never introduced them to us yet...
Reina: You know him, he's always keeping to himself. I should take some time to meet his band, but for now, home sweet home!
Marie was peacefully driving back home with Maize in the passenger seat, music filling the atmosphere as they cross Hammerhead Bridge. Despite the quiet vibes, there was an invisible tension in the air between them, Marie speaking up to grab her daughter's attention.
Marie: Maize?
Maize: Hmm? Yes mum?
Despite having answered to her response, Maize noticed her mother completely silent as she was focused on driving. She thought to herself that maybe it was just to make sure she was okay, until she heard her voice again.
Marie: Promise to never scare me like that ever again...
Maize was a bit taken aback by the sudden request, taking a moment to remember what she did before the memory hit her like a tidal wave, the fear and the danger of the mission flashing before her eyes.
Maize: I-I promise... I won't scare you like that again...
Marie: I'm sorry if I get very protective of you...
Marie paused in her sentence, as if holding her breath before sighing gently, continuing her speech.
Marie: When I adopted you, it was a stir of the moment, you know I'm new to being a mother... you are my priority, and I don't want anything happening to you sweetie. I'll be honest, I felt awful grabbing you for this mission before we left, because I don't want to risk getting you hurt. And that moment back there, I've never felt as hurt than the time I had to find your auntie with Reina when she was missing. I care about you, and love you a whole lot Maize, and I don't want you getting the wrong picture with me getting protective.
Maize: I know... and I love you too. You're the best mum and- and thank you for always being there...
Marie was quietly sniffling, trying not to tear up, knowing she needs to focus, gripping the steering wheel tighter and bringing her sleeve up to brush her eyes one at a time so she can keep an eye on the road. She composes herself again, loosening her grip before looking at Maize for a second, meeting her gaze before looking back to the road.
Maize: I'm so grateful to have you as my mum... and showing me what having a family is like.
Marie fought her tears back again and softly smiled at hearing these words. The two were silent for a few moments, listening to the music before an idea came into Marie's mind.
Marie: Hey sweetheart, I heard there was a book fair happening a few days ago. Would you like to go there?
Maize: Really?! I would love to! Please, please, PLEASE let's go!
Marie: Alright alright, calm down missy. Let's hit the road then~!
Captain had travelled back into Alterna an hour after everyone had left, intent on finding answers on the fact that there were more salmonids like Cadavere. She dug around the Squid Sisters Camp to find any sort of resource that could help.
Captain: Come on Eliza, think, where would you find answers for such things...
It took a few minutes of searching until the realisation struck her, if there's anything on salmonids, it'll be in Mr. Grizz's now derelict workstation. She travelled to the shore of Future Utopia Island to set herself in the raft they had messily put together to travel to and from the Alterna Space Center.
A few minutes of rowing went by until she hit the small dock that Deep Cut helped build on the small island near the base of the rocket. Stepping off the raft she ascended the space center, going through it's now broken security after Agent 3 had gone through when they were saving the world. When she had reached the top of the lift at the peak of the structure itself, rather than going through the tunnel that her agent had used to go into the Spirit Lifter, she passed through a door that slid open, granting entrance to passerby's leading into a dark corridor with green lights illuminating it, the faint hum of the lights and metallic smell filling the air. She descended into the lower facility via the elevator located at the end of the corridor. When she reached the bottom, she had expected the doors to open, but instead an AI spoke to her, one she had heard before in Alterna.
O.R.C.A.: Unauthorized access. Please state identification.
Captain: Great... just my luck...
O.R.C.A.: Restricted area access denied. Subject "Captain" does not match Professor Huey Clark.
Captain: Who the shell is that...?
O.R.C.A.: Lift will ascend back to Alterna Space Center Corridor in 10 seconds.
Captain was alarmed at hearing this, having to think quickly before she was sent right back to where she was before. She couldn't bust the AI, as that could potentially damage all systems that keep Alterna running, nor that she even knew where its servers were located.
O.R.C.A.: 5 seconds.
Her mind was running with possibilities before she found one, she morphed down into squid form before jumping with enough momentum to painfully squeeze herself through the elevator door gap, landing with an inky splat on the cold, hard floor before hearing the elevator whir to life and start ascending a second after she squeezed through.
Captain: Ghh... I hope I don't have to do that again. Alright, now, where am I?
She turned back into her inkling form before getting herself off the ground and surveying her surroundings. She was in a laboratory, vials and computers were everywhere, and even in some of the vials contained fuzzy ooze. Seeing this sight, she knew that Mr. Grizz worked in here and now it was only a matter before she found somewhere that had the info she was looking for. She wandered around, looking at his research on creating the fuzzy ooze, it's ingredients and procedure to creation and his plan to return the world to its "natural order", and even on the creation of Grizzco Industries, where he had used unsuspecting inklings and octolings to do his dirty work of collecting golden eggs from the salmonids, a necessary ingredient for his scheme.
Captain: All of this for someone who couldn't accept change, good riddance...
She stopped by what looked to be the main computer as it had a larger monitor above it surrounded by smaller ones that acted as surveillance for Alterna's facilities, she sifted though the many files and folders, finding documents on humanity's efforts to leave the crater they were trapped in as well as staff logs, even one on Professor Huey Clark. Once she had exited the Alterna folders, she found one that immediately caught her attention that was labelled "Grizzco". Upon clicking it, she had found multiple different folders, Employee Handbook, Safety and Regulations, Employees, Salmonids, etc. She clicked the salmonids folder before she was met with further folders, showing the different classifications, Lesser Salmonids, Boss Salmonids, King Salmonids, and one other that she wasn't familiar with, Ruler Salmonids. She looked confused for a moment before opening the folder with caution despite no threats around. There were seven different documents shown to her, they definitely were not salmonid species but rather individuals, this theory was made concrete when she found one labelled "Cadavere", viewing it as it stated all info Mr. Grizz had compiled on the adversary they had faced.
Captain: You really did know more about salmonids than you told your employees. This is bad, very bad.
She exited out of the Cadavere folder before looking at the other names: Zalavus, Abaddon, Forganis, Lusuria, Wendrake, Krynnos. All of them seemed to correspond to a different individual that was a king salmonid of much higher status, as she recognised Zalavus was a Cohozuna salmonid. She went to look around for a USB stick, finding a old spare one that definitely hadn't seen use for at least thousands of years, she hoped it had still worked and plugged it into the computer, it worked. She copied every single file on the computer into the USB, but one file was unable to be copied over no matter how many times she tried the process of copying it over. She went into it to find its location in the Grizzco folder, spotting a folder with strangely glitched text.
Captain: It's strange... because this isn't an old folder... it's in the Grizzco section.
She opened the folder to see the monitors above her glitch for a moment, which as much as she won't admit, made her jump slightly. There was a singular item in here and the name was constantly glitching and changing characters constantly, scrambling as if it was alive. As Captain hovered over the folder, her finger hesitated. With a deep breath, she clicked, and the screen froze, lines of code scrambling like something alive and made even worse when the room felt eerily silent before it appeared on the main monitor. Every section of text in this document was glitched beyond legibility, even for many of the different sections she went to look at. She sighed before just closing it knowing she won't get anything from it herself, departing from the computer with the USB in hand and going to the elevator, pressing the button while waiting for it to come down, arriving with a ding.
O.R.C.A.: Farewell Professor Huey Clark.
Captain: Well, that makes leaving easier.
She stepped into the elevator before feeling it ascend back up so she can leave Alterna, knowing she has the answers she was looking for, and it had sent nothing but worry down her spine. The answers she'd uncovered were worse than she could have imagined, and all she could do now was brace for the storm that was coming.