OPERATION: Protect Inkopolis

Squidbeak Confidential

The cage was quickly becoming more suffocating by the minute. Bouts of lucidity were escaping them as they choked and coughed. Already on his knees, Hachi watched as the the blurry teal vision of the vicious octoling stood there just to make sure they had absolutely no way out of her trap.

Hachi had to admit it was very odd how there would still be sanitized octolings left. Although he never knew how that happened, he blamed himself for this. The moment he finally found his way out of the facility, he literally didn't have a care in the world. Why the hell would he? He was free and alive. Even if it was for a short while, it still happened.

But now, he had to pay for his ignorance. He was going to have his day. He turned to his comrade who had his sleeve to his face, trying to at least fight it out. He always admired how Hitto never gave up even when they all did.

He faced Dedf1sh through the fog again. Still as stoic as ever. In fact, not stoic, just free of all emotion. She could not see when somebody was in need. She was just doing her job.

But suddenly, she fell.

The hostages were lucky enough to see what had hit her. Before them was a curling bomb that must have swept her off her feet. It was incredibly hard to even make out who threw it but he had an idea just as he saw yellow ink...

But that was also when he passed out.

***

Squidbeak HQ, 9:05 AM

Hachi woke up to the sound of somebody repeating his name. As his vision was clearing, he saw himself on a bed. There was an oxygen mask on his face and he was still in his hero suit. Hitto was in a similar bed to his left in a similar position but wide awake.

"About time you got up," said Hitto.

Hachi cocked an eyebrow, "Where are we?"

"At Headquarters. We slept here for the night. We were rescued just at the nick of time," said Hitto.

"By who?"

Hitto began to explain, "After Marina heard our call, she sent Maika and Callie for back up. Maika took Dedf1sh down with a curling bomb while Callie destroyed the force field device."

"How did you know that?"

"Callie told me," said Hitto as he looked up into the ceiling just as Arii and Pearl came in.

"You boys just had to go down there without telling us, didn't you?" Arii asked, arms crossed.

"It wasn't anything serious and we didn't want any of you to get worried," said Hachi.

"But we still are," said Pearl, concerned and angry at the same time. "Who knows what could've happened to you if they didn't get there early enough?"

"We admit what we did was reckless but we need to think more of the assault," said Hitto. "Did you get the picture we sent you?"

"Of Dedf1sh? Yeah," said Arii, leaving without another word.

"The hell's up with her?" asked Hitto.