With heavy stomping and splashing, Tobias came back to shore. Bits of sand washed in his shoes. The relaxing sound of waves, as the tides did their duty.
Maxwell was motioning downward on his Holoframe. He must have found something. Lydon threw the rocks to the side, crossed his arms and moved forward to Tobias.
“So, what did you two find?” Tobias said, squeezing water from his pant legs.
“Why don’t you go back and take a look for yourself.” Lydon asked.
“Still rather queasy. Sorry, old memories are not helping.” Tobias said.
“Fair enough, Tobias. We both swept away as much as we could from both the rocks and the sand. On the rocks we found what looked to be constellations.”
“What?” Tobias blinked, dumbfounded.
“I know right, we had the same reaction. From what we could tell they were rather large. Some are ancient, I've never seen anything like it.” Lydon said. He motioned with his arms and tried to air draw the constellations. As if that we be helpful.
“Could be one demented person doing this. On the ground after going through all that cursed seaweed we did get something. A shallow grave is what we are going to go with for now. A thin wooden board lay underneath the seaweed and what looked to be human bones and animal.”
Tobias was now wide eyed. Like he had just been hit in the head with another rock.
“We found a partial skull, knees and arms. Sprinkled in with some full crabs, missing their flesh. There were some other things but I couldn’t tell what they could possibly be.
“I would take a look.” Tobias said, grimacing. “The stench though, I just can’t do it at the moment.”
“No problem, daydreamer, we got plenty of photos on our holoframes.”
“I suppose Maxwell is calling CGA for some more heavy duty equipment?”
“Yep, that's right.” Lydon waved his finger over to Maxwell, who promptly rolled his eyes.
“Well that Is all we can really do here. We could try and poke around some more.”
“I will see you guys shortly.” Maxwell said, and swept his holoframe off.
“What’s the plan, Maxy?” Lydon said.
“An internal investigation. From the CGA. They will retrieve samples. Grengraw of the planetary council will also oversee this.
Onyx suddenly strolled out from behind the rocks. He was carrying something in his mouth. Looking quite satisfied.
“What, did you boy?” Tobias said, watching him getting nearer.
He dropped a small rectangular box between their feet. Drool sliding down his mouth. Pink bits hanging out from the side of his mouth.
“Get that out of your—”
It was too late. Onyx licked it back into his mouth and sniffed more the box. Tobias reached down and snatched the box before he could get another taste In.
“If you get sick, that is on you my friend.”
Onyx whined and looked up at his haul. Maxwell eyed the box and Lydon stepped next to Tobias, sunglasses on his nose.
“Well, this is quite interesting isn’t it?” Lydon said.
“This looks to be like it was manufactured in Greyland, or Ovoroth not from around here.
“What makes you think that Lydon?” Asked Maxwell.
“Take a look here on this side.”
With cleaner hands he wiped the dirt off. Small anchors circling around the entirety of it. Was revealed after the quick clean,
“What makes you think it could be from anywhere but Ovoroth Lydon? “ Tobias asked.
It just has weird crevices and other small assembly variations. Have not seen anything like it from there. It has been a good year or so since I’ve worked and seen them, perhaps they changed things up a bit.” Lydon said.
“Want me to keep it and analyze its origins back at Ballistic, or have your guys take it in?”
Maxwell took a deep breath and took the cap off his head.
“Keep it Lydon. If we give this evidence up, we will most likely never see or hear about it again.”
“I will take that off you Sir Tobi.” Lydons said. As he took the box with one hand, like a claw.
“All yours my friend. Well what's next, should we tell the old man back in the shack,” Tobias said. The shack still stood tall. Tobias saw the old man at a window. Still carbing that boat.
Let us head on our way now and see about this octopus problem.” Said Maxwell.
A soft hum filled the air as a black silhouette descended above them.
“Saved us some walking time. We are going to take a straight shot across the water instead of going around. Shouldn't take us longer than a few minutes.”
“Fine by me.” Lydon said, as Maxwell’s vehicle lowered softly, blowing the sand away.
“Before that though, one second guys. I do not have anything to carry this box around in.”
Lydon took his holoframe out from his pocket. Nimbly he placed it squarely on the mysterious box.
“How are you going to manage that?” Asked Tobias.
“Watch this.” Lydon said, Grinning. Lydon stayed quiet for a moment. Then the box disappeared, as well as the holoframe.
Stealth. With the holoframe on it will fly straight up. Then fly above traffic then drop it off at my place. It will be just fine.”
“You sure you wont need it?” Tobias asked. His eyes tried to follow where the box had gone. A futile attempt.
With that done the four of them all got in Maxwell’s vehicle and headed to their next lead. The boat shack faded from view. As the old man working inside tinkered with his boats.
Waves rippled as they tore across the water. Maxwell leaned against the window. A chance to close his eyes for a bit. He did not want to miss it. Boats on the horizon bobbled as they went to their destination.
“Hey Tobias, what were you spacing out about back there? I am amazed that you managed to stay upright in the water.” Lydon said.
“I was zoned out thinking of the invitation I got to the Desolation Mountains. What I found out there, and what we just found, share a few similarities.”
“Ah yes. That’s right. Remember you told me about that, disgusting.” Lydon said. Sitting further back in his seat. His face grimaced with discomfort.
Clouds rolled in as a light sprinkle began to fall. Maxwell awoke as the vehicle met a choppy patch of water. His head bounced off the glass. With a hand to his forehead he just groaned.
They had made it to where the supposedly octopus were causing trouble. A single boat was blocking the way to their destination. Just behind it, the boat hanger doors awaited.
Black ink stained the water all around the docks. A young man standing on the boat noticed them approaching and dropped the conversation with what looked to be a dock worker. His uniform was all white and a blue life vest, he motioned for them to stop. Thrusters powered down and came to a stop. Maxwell took the lead first grasping the slippery ladder to the side. As he hosted himself up, the young man approached. Onyx ran along the deck. Paws nearly slipped on the wet wood. He watched the water curiously.
The conversation between the two had already ended. Maxwell had his eyes focused on the giant steel walls on each side. He got a quick glimpse of one of the slimy creatures they had come to investigate.
The young man gave a quick, “Good luck!”
He hopped back on his boat, heading to sit at the top. Inside the middle sized boats were obscured by amasses of tentacles. The entirety of the hangar had octopus sprawled out. Some moving, some idle. Others dropped back into the water. They seemed oblivious, or did not feel threatened by the presence of the four. Lydon’s eyes met theirs, raising his eyebrows and mouth slowly in awe.
Watching the octopus, Lydon and Maxwell slowly circled behind the boats. Everyone had been speechless at the sight. Tobias took out his holoframe and set it to take pictures. Dozens upon dozens of photos of octopi in many different colors came to life. The camera taking different shots of all the animals.
No chaos broke out at the moment. All was still. No traces of the liquid from the boat shack made it here. No skirmishes had broken out as far as he could tell. No mating was going on either. With one foot entering the docked boats a loud squish! graced his ears. With a big sigh, reluctantly he looked down. Of course he had stepped on one. Fantastic. It had been one of its arms. It had strangely been fully extended. Others on the boat did as well.
From the looks of it, they most likely had perished from being out of the water too long. Limbs stretching out to survive. Not having any food in here would also do the trick. They had made themselves a barricade of ink. The boats being a current safe haven. For whatever they had been afraid of.
Backtracking off the boat, he went to catch up with the other two. Maxwell, cap by his side, let out a lengthy yawn. Lydon was staring into the water at an orange octopus, who was also curiously watching him.
“What do you make of this?” Maxwell said. Rubbing his temples. Trying to relieve the tension.
“Some of them either died from not being in the water, or starved. With that wall of ink in the front, they are surely hiding from something. How long have they been here?” Tobias said. Some sky surfers had come to see the sight. Their roost on top of the boat. Beady black eyes dashed back and forth at the scene.
“Not sure, we will have to ask the kid back there.”
“Alright. Well unfortunately, I don’t got much. Know a little about Octopus. Used to being a ranger on land. Marine biology is not my specialty.”
“I'm going to send this over to the CGA real fast. They can get this information out to the proper people.”
Maxwell just nodded. Tobias quickly sent the message. His eyes fell back at Lydon, who was now the one in a trance.
“Hey, Lydon. I don’t suppose you noticed or found anything have you?” Tobias said.
No response.
“Lydon... you alive?”
Nothing.
Tobias' eye twitched and he went over and squatted next to Lydon. He and the octopus silently continued just looking at each other. With one hand raised, Tobias brought it down upon his shoulder with a loud SMACK.”
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Lydon looked around, breaking out of his stupor and back at him.
“Sorry to interrupt you and your new lover there.”
“My apologies. I thought we were really bonding. As if I could almost understand it.”
“Why don’t you jump in the water with it? Then swim off into the sunset.”
“We did not get that far. Still debating if the glasses are a good look.”
“How about you reach down and get an idea of what they feel like. She, I imagine, could get a closer look at that face of yours.”
“Ya know what. Fine here we go!”
Lydon got a little closer to the edge. Water splashed like moving in the bathtub. He knelt down and extended his hand out to the water, just short of his new friend. With one quick movement it jolted closer to him. Startled, Lydon nearly fell into the water. Regaining his composure. He kept his hand still.
Out from the water one of the tentacles made its way to him. Feeling its way up against the wet stone wall, it found his arm. Maxwell’s eyes did not leave him.
I swear, if I have to jump in after this fool…”
After getting to his elbow, it retracted its tentacle and slowly went back under water.
“Well, that exchange went pretty well. I don’t think this is the best time for us to get to know each other. It’s rather chaotic here.” Lydon said. His arm was wet. The feeling of the suction cups was a strange one.
“After we figure out what is wrong here. You two should meet up somewhere.” Tobias said. The snickering was hard to hold in. He couldn't do it. Lydon cracked a smile and laughed with him.
“You should give it a go, Maxwell! That should wake you up.” Lydon said.
“No thanks.” He replied with a horrified expression and put his cap back on.
“That gives me ideas for something to cook back up at ballistic. You will have another chance!”
Whatever you plan to possibly make. I don’t want it near me.”
“Let’s get out of here. Before Lydon cooks up more ideas in that fish head cauldron of his.”
Octopus slowly moved up the docked ship. The others floated in the bay.
“Goodbye to all of you, nice meeting you!” Lydon waved to the octopus.
Back at the entrance the rain was still coming down softly. The young man and Maxwell were both at the front of his boat looking out at the water. Getting closer to their ride, Tobias noticed the young man had two hands on his life jacket, tightly. Maxwell had his baton out and squeezed it.
“Everything alright up there? Tobias asked.
“Not sure.” Replied Maxwell.
“Giant ripples and splashes. Could just be a shark or something. The kid here noticed shortly after we went inside. Come look.”
So they did. Near his car, Tobias and Lydon looked out into the water. Wasn’t too far away. They could see the cause for confusion. Against the waves, something had caused the water to ripple. It was not an earthquake. They would have felt that for sure.
The water swayed and appeared to get closer. Water veiled its body. Was hard to tell if there was a head, or if it was another part. In silence they watched for a few minutes as it seemed to taper off. Shortly afterwards Maxwell put his baton back. He turned to the young man telling him something and made his way over to them.
“Well guys would say our work here is done. Let us head back to base.” Maxwell said. He stood out in the rain. Watching the waters.
Some calm at last. He thought.
“You going to come or head back, Lydon?
“I will come back with you guys. Got some time to spare.” He said. Sunglasses covering his face. Behind the shades he was frantically looking around. For signs of mist and fog rolling in. Eyes watching their prey, on the unsuspecting. His whole body was stiff.
“Great. When we get back, let's just rack our brains over all the information we have gathered.” Maxwell said.
“Maybe something will come to us and we can get another lead.” “How about the people near the hospital?” Tobias asked.
“I doubt we could help there, but that sounded rather brutal and something worth looking into. Maxwell said. Cringing a bit at the mention of it.
“We are going to avoid that for now. Medical staff and CGA should have all that under control. Truth be told, right now I’m too exhausted and do not have the heart for it.”
“Fair enough.” Tobias said.
Lydon nodded in agreement. Maxwell and Lydon got inside the vehicle first. Tobias was about to get in, it dawned on him that Onyx had been quiet for some time. He had also not seen him since they got here.
“Hey, did either of you two see Onyx?”
They both looked at him and shook their heads.
“Have not seen him for a minute. Hope he is alright.” Maxwell said. “Want me to help you look for him?” Lydon asked.
“No, it’s alright. Be right back.”
“Onyx! Where did you run off to?” he called out.
The gentle splashing of waves was heard and nothing else. With a quick jog he ran inside the hangar and called out again. This time he heard him coming. The clattering of his paws got louder as he dashed into view. With a tentacle in his mouth.
“Please tell me that is your first one. Not a snack for the road. Let's put that back now.
Onyx just stared at him. Tail wagging. No resistance taking the tentacle away. He went to place it near the strung out octopus. Onyx, growled at that moment.
“What’s wrong boy? There is nothing in here to worry about. We are done here, let’s get out of here.” Tobias said calmly. Petting his dog. Teeth gnashed together. His feet tensed and ready to strike.
It took a moment, but he calmed down.Onyx sprinted back to the car and jumped in. Taking a seat next to Lydon.
“Jeez, way to get us worked up over nothing boy.” Tobias said, ready to end this day early. The engine hummed and thrusters pushed the water back. The young man on the boat suddenly ran toward them, waving his hands. Stymied for a moment, the door opened.
“What's wrong?” Maxwell asked with eyes half open.
“The ripples are back and they are closer. I swear I saw something in the water this time too! Felt the whole dock shake. Whatever it is, it's massive.” The kid said. Out of breath and panting.
“Was about ready to sleep for a few, curses. Let's go see what we got.” Maxwell said. His baton out, hand near his gun.
The four of them got out and walked to his boat, Onyx staying behind this time. At the bow of the boat they all watched and observed the water. Something was going on that is for sure. This time it was no farther than fifteen feet away from them. Tobias looked back and saw masses of octopus in the water. They had all been spilling ink, to ward off whatever this was. Clearly afraid.
What in the world was coming for them? What has caused this thing to make its move as soon as they arrived. Could it have been the noise? There was no extra time to think, as what looked to be antennas, emerged from the water in front of them. Maxwell grasped his baton, Tobias taking his batton out. Lydon took one step back, gritting his teeth.
“Parax, god of the sea, please let this just be a submarine that went off course. I want to sleep.” Maxwell said.
As the antennas rose out of the water, Maxwell’s plea had been for nought. With a violent burst, a creature jumped out of the water, and stood on top. It had two long brown limbs in the front and the back. A blueish and white energy weaved about halfway up its legs. Attached to those limbs was a long oval-like body. It was a rusted brown like color, an eerie similar sight. Its antennas, bigger than the head, dangled out in front.
With four huge bug-like eyes, it looked around curiously. A wing on each side could. They were currently tucked in tightly to its body. Standing somewhere between fifteen to twenty feet tall, it towered over them. Water cascaded over the docks. Mist hit their faces. Maxwell chucked his baton at it, and it bounced off one of its legs into the water. That did nothing, of course.
Maxwell yelled at this new foe. Gun now out of his holster aiming at his eyes. They weren’t sure if this creature was friend, or foe.
It ignored him, if it even saw him at all.It lowered itself to the ground. Wings from the back now spread as antennas poked around the water. They felt along the surface, until it touched the ink. It found its prey. The blueish and white energy at its feet turned a deep red. Two of its eyes turned from a light brown, to that deep red. Without notice its huge body crashed into the boat hangar. It let out a loud piercing cry. Mouth stretching open, its mandibles came out. Octopus left the water in its mouth. Tentacles fell into the water and hit the ground with a squish.
Maxwell moved with a jolt getting his holoframe out. Within seconds, he was yelling over it:
“We have a code: 0ar01 I repeat 0ar01 at the east side hangar, use my location and get here ASAP!” Maxwell yelled into it. He tossed it aside. It slid into the rain. Droplets pooling on it as a voice frantically asked: “What’s going on!?”
Maxwell couldn’t aim for its eyes now. So shooting into its body was the next best thing.
Tobias took out his holoframe taking as many pictures of it as he could.
“We need to get out of here guys! There is nothing we can do. Is that gun even doing anything?”
“Shit!” Maxwell said and threw his gun at the beast. Like a tennis ball against a steel wall. It hit with a thud and joined his batton.
“How long till they get here Max!?” Tobias asked as he took a step back watching octopus rush out from the hangar on both sides.
“They should be here in a couple of minutes!” Maxwell stumbled for his holoframe while watching the creature.
“We need to get out of here. Lydon is right. We can't do anything.” Tobias said.
The color from this creature. It is definitely from Archveil. Is it part machine though? Damn cant tell from here! Tobias thought. Hand over his forehead to shield his eyes from all the water being splashed.
“This sucker is alive and well—unlike our previous pal.”
“Let's get a safe distance from this thing!”
“What about me?” The young man said. Voice pleading over the sounds of the beast feasting.
“What is your name, boy?” yelled Maxwell.
“It’s Baret.”
“Alright, Baret. What are you waiting for? START YOUR BOAT AND GET OUT OF HERE!”
Everyone safely got inside the vehicle, while Baret stood on his boat in shock. It took him a second but reality dawned on him and he started his engines. Lifting off instead of staying on the water, they hovered high above the hangar and hopefully out of its reach.
“What is that kid doing, dang it, he needs to MOVE!” Lydon said. Pounding on the glass.
Sirens filled the air as blinking blue lights came into view. The eastern part of the CGA had come, in tow a giant lumbering vessel was trying to keep pace.
“Do they have any idea what they are flying into?” Lydon said.
“Yes they do. The code sent out was to inform Insmourn of Archveil threats. I hope they are ready.”
The CGA opened their doors in midair above the hangar. Mechanical soldiers jumped out crashing into the pavement. Normal troopers slid down a rope. Both hunkered together and waited. They aimed their weapons at the beast in the hangar.
Four soldiers with long guns landed and split up atop the roof tops. Each slammed a colored magazine into their weapons. One of the soldiers on the ground put a silencer on their gun. They knelt down on one knee, aimed and took the shot. Without a sound, they had hit their target, apparently. As they raised a fist giving a thumbs up.
“What are they waiting for, take that thing out!” Lydon said anxiously.
“They are waiting for that.”
Maxwell pointed out the window to the large vessel getting closer.
“What will that do?” Tobias asked.
“We will see here shortly.” Maxwell said. Watching the lumbering vessel.
“It’s coming out of the hanger!” Lydon said. Finally with sunglasses off.
The antennas poked out of the hangar, pushing its body ahead as it stood on the water. Its mouth was opened and covered in slime and chunks of octopus. It closed its mouth and at the same time, its color changed back into white and blue along its legs. The eyes also reverted color.
Baret had yet to move his boat. The engines had started up but for whatever reason he had stayed put. His vessel slowly began moving out to sea, and the beast took notice, its antennas feeling around the boat. He stood stricken in fear as they felt their way around. They lazily went up over the glass and brushed up against him. The antenna stayed up against him and the giant oval shape shifted in front of the boat. One eye turned red and Baret shook uncontrollably. It was over for him in an instant. The mouth opened and Baret was swallowed whole.
“OPEN FIRE!” one of the soldiers yelled out and the sound of bullets cracked the air. Snipers on the roof took aim. They fired out something that looked like a beam. It was motionless for a moment. Besides the movement of its mandibles as it consumed its food. Antenna brushed lightly against the water's surface, perhaps searching for more flesh. The group of highly mechanized soldiers charged at the beast. Bits of tentacles smashed into even smaller pieces as they stormed forward.
With a powerful leap, the charging soldiers squoze onto its legs. Their grasp was hard to maintain and they slipped a bit. The flesh was hard and steel like. Each one took a huge round circular disk and placed them on its leg. One of them raised their fist and pumped it once and pointed down. They gave their device a tap and plunged into the oily water. The beast stood up taller and spread its wings out from the back carapace. Tink tink tink tink. Bullets pounded the beast, seemingly unaffected. Five soldiers propelled down from separate helicopters. Each one had a rpg attached to their back. Immediately as they hit the ground they scattered. They rushed out and got in formation, getting on a knee. Rpg’s off from their backs, they took aim and fired. Smoke filled the soldiers' vision as each one was launched. The creature must have felt the hit, as its eyes turned to the choppers and soldiers. Sweltering with anger, its legs and all of its eyes changed color. The disc’s on its legs exploded. As the mines blew up it was silent for a fleeting second.
With a smash, one of its red legs plummeted through a soldier. Instantly dead. The remaining soldiers stood up and dropped their weapons. Before they could move, mandibles had already embraced them. With sickening crunches, it devoured them. The CGA choppers turned and fired a maelstrom of bullets.
Tobias and the others drifted further back from the carnage.
“Need to recharge. Large amounts of energy lost.” John the AI said.
“What do you mean recharge? You should be good for a month!” Yelled Maxwell as they took an emergency landing.
Maxwell’s vehicle lost flight and landed on a building about a block away.
It launched itself out of the water and onto the pier. All kinds of fluid poured from underneath it. Black sludge cascaded down its long legs and scattered the entire peer. Its shadow cast over eastern Insmourm. People looked up at the sky as it spread its wings. As it let out a metallic wail. Remains of soldiers flung across town from its mandibles. Propellers crashed into the water and a chopper exploded. As the creature reared up and smashed through with its lanky front legs. Screams filled the air. The CGA soldiers on the ground threw their helmets off grabbing at their faces. Their jackets as well but it was too late. The pain was too intense as the sludge seeped down their uniforms. Light shone through a helmet, as the substance ate away at the body.
Buildings shook, glass trembling, alarms filled the city streets. The rest of the CGA and the giant sphere had caught up. The sphere began to open. A spark ignited from the core. Yellow and red circled each other. Cracking sounds filled the air, as debris flung. Causing even more destruction.
Tobias took Onyx lightly by the scruff of his neck. Below people ran out, trying to escape. Others simply watched in awe and terror. Lydon had his glasses off. He yelled down below for the others to run. Maxwell pounded on his vehicle. Skin torn on his knuckles as John had sat powerless.
Wings folded in suddenly as the creature looked over the battlefield it created. It began making a strange call. The sound echoed through the streets of eastern Insmourn.
The creature took notice. With long strides it pulverized through buildings. Someone having a hard time with a bowel movement, got some help. The walls came crashing down. The floor falling through. They stared at the giant leg as it tore through the rest of the building making its way further inland.
The ground tore open below the sphere. It gathered enough power and shot a blast of energy. Tobias watched as the beam turned more of a hellish orange. Cries of pain from the creature rang out. It’s four bug eyes watching the beam come at it. It hunched over holding its front legs to its abdomen. Those same colors he saw in the elevator, leaked out from the beast.