Survivors of Alterna: Final Run

Chapter 4: Sector Eden

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."