Mia POV

After I lower the gate for my precious and most acquaint friend Maximax, I was left with no choice to go deeper in the base to look for the core because of a small incident. Nova was telling me which way to go so I don't get lost. There were sometimes where I have to enter the side rooms so the guards can go outside to their deaths. Such a shame that there was a few octarian hiding from the chaos. I couldn't let my cover be blown so I made sure to end it quickly and painlessly. After another group went by to their death, Nova told me I was close to the storage room where the core was being held. I look at the window to see if anything was their because It was too simple that I was getting worry. After making sure that it was clear, I open the door and waited a few seconds before entering. I walk over to the core and I tap it with my pick. Nothing happens. I quickly snatch it from the crate and expected the worst. Nothing happened and honestly, I was let down. Still I got the what we needed. I put the core back on the crate and decided to transport not only the core, but all the crates in the small room as well. When that was done, I told Nova of my accomplishment "Ms. Nova I delivered not only the core, but other things as well."

" I know Mia, I have watch you for the past minute making a fool of yourself".

I would be deeply offended by her words if I cared. "You know, maybe Max need my help. I should go and che"

"MIA... It was a joke. Can you free the prisoner I ask you too?"

Nova must be really worried about the inkling. Knowing her, she might be thinking years ahead of me so it must be important. "Only if you say the magic word." I said in a sarcastic tone with a giant grin on my face. The radio was silent for a moment before Nova responded

"Mia... Please save the prisoner in this complex."

I couldn't help myself laughing to myself for a rare moment Nova requesting help from me. "The magic word was lotion, but I'll do it for my special friend." I can hear Nova talking to herself, but I just tone her out and began to look for the inkling she wanted to free.

After exiting the storage room, I began to look for signs for the prisoner in this maze that filled with enemies. After running down the hallways and making a few turn backs, I found what appears to be the prisoner section. When I was in front of the door, an octarian open the door from the other side. Our eyes lock to each other for what appeared to be a long minute then she slowly closed the door while our eyes were still lock to each other. When I step forward, she began to turn pale and her eyes were showing mix emotions. Almost like the human fight or flight response. She started to bolt away from me at unnatural speeds. I chase after her, knowing it was my only shot, I aim my pick carefully at her and throw it. The pick piece her shoulder but not where I wanted it. When I went to her body to retrieve the pick, I saw the "VIP" in the cell to my right. We both just look at each other until he opens his mouth.

"Hey umm...long time no see?"

I put my pick away on my belt and begin to have a conversation. "I remember you, you almost broke my back." I can see him getting nerves.

"Well...you nearly did give me brain damage, so hard feelings... right? So umm...can you help me out?"

I knew that he was getting even more nerves as the conversation continues. "Yea no hard feelings. anyway, tell me why should I let you go? I mean let face it, you and your friends know our existence. How do I know a worldwide manhunt isn't going to happen."

" what do yo-"

I had to cut him off because I know what he was going to say. "Picture me this... Four... It just in that the ancient, or human, or something you called us that have been extinct for God know how long is still alive today. Even more is that it's the last of its kind. Tell me what will happen." The inkling began thinking then it gave me a response in a serious tone.

" We will make you feel welcome. "

I couldn't believe what he told me I gave a fake laughter and proceeded to tell him a real answer. "Heh and I thought I was crazy. Let me tell you what I believe what will happen. The simple answer is a worldwide manhunt. Depending who find us is another story. Such as it could be a friendly person like yourself and tell us everything about this world have to offer. Or it could go a completely opposite and a government official found us, and we could be living breathing test subjects with no rights and disregards our basic need for the reminder of our lives. Even in death, they will desecrate our body for "in the name of science." you do understand right? I thought about killing you and anybody who seem or know us, but there were a few reasons why I couldn't. One is that I'm not a monster, I don't go around killing everything that moves. Two, one of my friend respects you guys for some reason. I won't be freeing you, but you will live. Anyway, I must get going, goodbye. " I began to walk towards an exit and was about to tell Nova about what happen, I can hear shouting from the inkling in the cell.

" You're just going to leave. "

Third POV

When the inkling shouted those words, something triggered Mia to the very core. Agent Four knew that something was wrong. In Mia mind, she began to see water flowing from the cells on the second floor and across from her in the same cell that Agent Four was in, appeared to be a human child that resembles in his early teens. The child looked at Mia and talking to her with tears in his eyes.

"Are you going to leave me behind to die again?"

Just then the cell began to be filled with water. The child began to grab the bars of the cell's and started panicking. As the water began full the cell, the cell bars where the water could flow out did not happen which created an illusion of a box in front of Mia. Mia looked around and notice that the other cells were filled with water. She took a quick glance inside and were filled with human remains. All of the sudden, hands extend form all cells almost as if trying to grab Mia. She quickly step back, while sounds began emitting from them shouting at her

"SAVE US."

Like a broken record, those words kept on repeating. The child continues to scream at Mia

" PLEASE HELP, I'M SCARED. I DON'T WANT TO DROWN. "

All while Agent Four was try to snap her out. When Mia began to walk towards the cell door, Agent Four step away from the door. Mia kick the door with all her might which cause the door to be loose from its latched. Suddenly Mia regain her composure and signal Agent Four to follow. With the blade at the bottom of the pick handle, she carefully cut the rope around Three which restrict him from switching form and pocketed the rope.

" C'mon we got to do something before we leave the base. "

Four began following Mia.

"Do you want to tal-"

Mia without batting an eye responded with a simple "No". They went out of the containment cells and proceeded to make a detour further in the base. They saw even more octarians marching in their path. After when they pass, Agent Four started asking Mia questions.

"What made you change your mind?"

"Don't worry about it "

"Where are we going? "

"Information gathering." Mia keep the conversation short and simple.

After a short walk, they found a door at the end of the hallway. Mia immediately kick down the door open which reveal an octoling on the computer. The octoling immediately turn around and evaded the swing of Mia pick. Before anymore fighting happen, Four got in between them and told them to stop. Mia immediately put her pick away and started accessing the computer while a familiar octoling was dumbfound.

"Are you serious that...thing nearly killed me."

"Trust me spy, it's weird for me too. I know the creature your investigating is friendly... I think."

while those two were talking, Mia detach her robotic arm and it began to extend. When she places it on the computer, the arm began slipping into every open ports and wedge inside the computer and displays copy and delete screen. After 10 seconds the words complete appear on the arm. " Alright I'm finish, let's get out of here. " Mia pick up the arm and reattach it back into place. Right when Mia turn around, the octoling rip off her mask. When Mia turn back around to look at the octoling, her eyes became wide and started to mutter to herself.

"A-a-an a-ancient, I thought they were e-extinct."

Mia was just looking down on the octoling with a confused face. " Can I help you? If not, please return my mask. " The octoling still in shock return Mia mask "Thank you and please don't do that again. Ok?"

" O-o-ok. "

The octoling lower her head while Mia readjust her mask and starting to head to the exit.

Meanwhile in the same facility, Agent One and Agent Three are rushing to free Agent Four still believing to be held prisoner. Agent One use her roller while Agent Three provided support. When they reach the containment cells, they spent minutes looking for Four however, the area was empty. When they reach what was once Four cell, they notice that one of the cell door damage and was wide open. They agree to look for an exit. Thinking Four already escape.

When Mia and her group manage to find an exit, she notices an octoling with a gold pin on her head with her guard down. She immediately bolted towards her at full speed. When agent 8 turned around, she felt a strong impact on her stomach. She was knock on to her knees gasping for air. Mia did not let her have a chance and instead pick Eight from the floor by the back of her outfit and jam a needle to her neck. Before Eight could react, she began to blackout. Agent One and Agent Three after finding an exit saw their companion beaten. Agent Two saw this threw her scope and Four along with their friend witness Mia action. When Mia toss Eight over her shoulder, the agents were about to attack Mia. Mia jump from the ledge of the fort and to the Agents eyes began to dematerialize along with Eight and the mech. The agents who witnessed this were emitting their frustration and anger when Pearl and Marina told the sad news.

"Guys, there's nothing in the radar. They're gone."

With nothing else to do, The Agents return to HQ along with their new friend. The news about Fort Skip Stone finally fallen became a historic event that cause many mysteries and controversy. Never the less, this event dealt a heavy blow to the octarians.