Splatoon | Project B.I.R.D. (READ DESCRIPTION)

Chapter 3 - The Plan

Fake snow glistened under the sky-mimicking TVs. Empty waters moved slowly. This was Alterna, humanity's final hope, and the current camp of the New Squidbeak Splatoon.

Near the edge of the Squid Sisters Camp, Agent 3 and Agent 1, better known as Callie, were standing.

"Come on, Smallfry! You can do it!" Agent 3 cheered, her yellow tentacles bouncing with her. Agent 1 leaned forward. "I think I see him, Three!"

A small Salmonid jumped out of the water. Agent 1 clapped as the Salmonid landed in Three's arms. This was Smallfry, Three's little buddy and best friend.

"Impressive! I think that's the longest he's been out swimming." Agent 2 called out from their station. Captain smiled and gave a thumbs up.

Agent 1 and Three walked back over to the two other members of the New Squidbeak Splatoon. "I think Smallfry here deserves a treat," Neo 3 said, "do you got any power eggs, Marie?"

"Three, here it's Agent 2. You wouldn't want me randomly calling you Veronika."

"Agh! Sorry..."

"No harm done. I do think there's a spare pack of power eggs in one of these boxes..."

Agent 2 turned around and opened one of the boxes, digging through it. Smallfry jumped on Captain's head and began eagerly watching her.

"Alright, one snack for Smallfr-"

BANG!

As Agent 2 pulled out an orange tin of power eggs, they heard a strange noise from the manhole. This manhole was the only way in and out of Alterna.

"Huh? What is that?!" Three shouted.

"I don't know... is that... screaming I hear?" Agent 1 wondered.

Craig Cuttlefish, the now-retired captain who had been taking a nap on one of the many crates surrounding the group, snapped awake. "AMBUSH! We're being ambushed!" He yelled.

"Prepare yourselves!" Agent 1 instructed.

Three held her Hero Shot in one hand while readying to throw her Smallfry in the other. Captain also grabbed her own Hero Shot. It was a different model than Three's but worked just as well.

Agent 1 held up her fists while Agent 2 opened her umbrella and held it in a defensive position. Meanwhile, Cuttlefish hid behind some other crates. There wasn't much he could do in a dried-up squid form.

A splash of turquoise and pink ink rose from the manhole. Two figures collapsed to the ground.

It was Pearl and Marina!

"False alarm!" Agent 2 called out. Everyone sighed and put their defenses down.

"Ughhhh... I thought you were joking about the manhole entrance, 'Rina." Pearl stated. "I wasn't... sorry," Marina said as she helped her partner up.

"What's up, you two?" Agent 1 called out. The two quickly turned their heads in Agent 1's direction.

They jogged ahead. "If it isn't the Squid Sisters!" Pearl said.

Cuttlefish finally came out from behind the crates. "Pearl, Marina! I didn't expect to see you two today."

"I don't think anyone else did either," Marina stated. She looked at Three, who was standing there starstruck.

"Dang, Craig. Respectfully, you somehow look worse in person." Pearl remarked. She had only ever seen Cuttlefish in his current dried-up state on a video call with Agent 8.

"I may be a bit dried out, but I still have the spirit!" Cuttlefish exclaimed, raising a tentacle. Pearl smiled.

"So... what even brings you two here? Just wanted to say hi?" Agent 2 asked.