Survivors of Alterna: Final Run

Chapter 12: Disappointment

"You must think you're something real special. Don't you?" Said Sal, pacing back and forth in front of the glass jar with his hands folded behind his back. His eyes were glaring directly at Marie.

He knew it'd take time for the terminal to be fixed and to hear from his children again. So, while he was waiting, he terrorized Marie and Inka for his own entertainment—or rather, attempted to.

Inka was still very much shaken by his mere appearance. But Marie was like a stalwart hero staring right back at the horror that was Sal, with an almost aggressive look in her eyes too.

Maybe it was because of their talks. Maybe it was because help was on the way. Or maybe Marie simply got used to Sal's presence. Whatever it was, the idol no longer harbored any visible fear toward him. In fact, she became a bit more defiant, which annoyed him.

"Well, you are. But not for the reasons you think." Sal clarified, only to suddenly bang on the jar with his fist.

The vibrations and sudden noise made Inka jump. Marie just smirked. "Oh, please. A paralarva could do a better job at intimidating than you."

Sal huffed, backing from the glass. "Coming from someone whose tentacles were trembling just a few hours ago, you sure talk big."

Marie moved her hands to her hips. "Why wouldn't I? It's only a matter of time before the others bust in here and kick your tailfin."

Sal chuckled, finding humor in her optimistic words. "With the Chrome Hog, they have no chance of winning. Especially with my kin using their gifted weapons." He smiled, certain the New Squidbeak Splatoon would crumble.

Marie eyed him for a few seconds. Her gaze slightly shifted to something behind him. A moment later, she grinned. "I wouldn't be so sure about that." Sal's orange brows furrowed in confusion.

"Father..." He suddenly heard Masu's voice, but it wasn't coming from the radio this time.

Sal looked over his shoulder, only to see the Steel Twins looking up at him. "Wha– Huh?!" He spun around, baffled by their abrupt appearance. "What are you two doing here?" His sharp gaze pierced their souls as he questioned them with intensity. They looked down, and his face dropped. "Say it isn't so..." He growled, causing Masu to shiver.

"T-the Chrome Hog was destroyed. And the pilots w-were slain. There was nothing we could do..." she stuttered, unable to maintain eye contact with her father.

"Tell me then. Even with your weapons and the aid of the salmon rangers, how did you manage to fail yet again this time?" Sal crossed his arms, awaiting an explanation.

One never came, as Masu was too scared to speak out loud. Instead, she mumbled quietly to herself.

Huchen looked between the two and, for the first time since Inka had known the twins,—despite this being the first time she's laid eyes on them,—he spoke. "I apologize for our failure, father. But the human and—"

"All of the squidbeaks were too much!" Masu interrupted with wide eyes, catching Huchen off-guard. "They fought fiercely and were every bit as difficult as you said they'd be. Even with our full might, they destroyed the Chrome Hog and killed the salmon rangers. The best we could do was greatly weaken them." She explained swiftly, doing a one-eighty from her initially silent and meek demeanor. Huchen did not interject once.

"It is a pity that this is the best your years' worth of training can accomplish. I expected better from you," Sal said in disappointment; in response, Masu looked down. Though part of her face was obscured, Inka could see she looked depressed.

"Well, I know you didn't come all the way here just to tell me you lost for a third time in a row. So, what is it?"

Masu muttered something before speaking up. "W-we lost the radio."