Breaking Barriers

Inspection of the Misfits

Squirt Octus:

For the last 30 minutes or so before our inspection, we all just sat at the table in a stony cacophony. We played and joked with the Vegimals and each other, but the thought of facing the Purenkorps dangled over us constantly, crushing us in its giant fist. 

The Vegimals were our little rays of sunshine, shining even when our situation was dark. As I sat moodily, awaiting our fate, Charchard toddled over to me and placed his little flipper on top of my tentacle. One look at his innocent little face melted my heart. He only wanted to see me a little happier. I smiled for his sake, and patted his little head. He giggled and hugged me with the sweetest little face anyone's ever seen. At least genetic mistakes like me aren't completely hated.

I could only stare at the Vegimals, mulling over what creatures could be capable of. One one hand you had the Purenkorps, evil beings who used all sorts of brutality to cut down anyone they deemed "unfit" in their eyes. On the other hand, you had the Vegimals who would happily take almost anyone into their kitchen to love, and consequently force treats onto.

Finally, after about an hour, the Captain stood up from his seat and cleared his throat loudly, his grey eyes stormy instead of their usual twinkling silver. It was time.
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I shivered; the bitter wind chafed at my face and clawed at me mercilessly. The Purenkorps had herded everyone into 12 long lines and paced back and forth, scanning us with their cold, hateful eyes, except for one man, who'd glanced at me with what appeared to be pity in his eyes. Uncle Inkling stood stock-still beside me, gripping my tentacle in his. I could feel his grip grow stronger as the Purenkorps passed us.

But as one of the soldiers passed, his icy green eyes lingered on us.

"Let go of the boy." He growled coldly.

"Excuse me soldier, but he's my nephew. I'd prefer to keep him close." Uncle Inkling inclined his head with the greatest nerve and dignity he could muster. The soldier sneered and smacked my uncle clear across the face.

I sprang forward in a fury. I wanted to tear the stupid louse apart bit by bit, but Kwazii beat me to it. The Captain and Kwazii rushed through the line, sprinting to reach us. Kwazii immediately lunged toward the soldier, claws ready to rip his veins open, to slit his throat. The Captain pulled him back as quickly as he could and bent down with me to check on my uncle. 

"Ah, I'm alright." He winced at the large purple and black bruise staining his face.

"Regardless, we're going to take you to Peso after this is over, matey." Kwazii pulled Uncle Inkling up off of the ground and dusted him off gently just as one of the Purenkorps soldiers made their way towards us and loomed over us like a storm cloud.

With a twirl of his hand and a mischievous smirk on his face, he handed the Captain a sheaf of paper. Kwazii leaned over his shoulder and read.

"Residential search obligatory." All four of us looked from one to the other until the Captain sighed and wrapped his arms around all of us.

"Remember, no matter what happens, we'll be alright, I promise."

"I hate these stupid" Kwazii inserted a name for his species you could never, ever use.

"I know you do." The captain responded and rubbed his back, "But we'll be alright."