Ocean Project Chapter 2 (also known as future octonauts)
Kwazii kept wandering around the Gup-1 after the group of five had headed off for land, looking out the windows, pacing around the room, and just overall trying to do something to distract himself. The octopod could only get so close to the forest area before the group had to rely on a Gup to get them the rest of the way there. In the Gup-1 they would have an additional two hours to travel to where the octoalerts were coming from. He didn't even understand why but Kwazii was anxious.
Maybe it was the thoughts flowing around that maybe someone while they were in this area of the forest could have snuck onto the octopod and stolen some watches or maybe it was the thought of wondering if someone had made a signal that was similar enough to an octoalert and they were being led into a trap. Kwazii decided though that the reason he was most nervous was because ever since finding his grandfather in a similar area he had been nervous about entering swamps or forests.
The tales he had been told were enough to shake Kwazii. The land had also never been a place Kwazii was too comfortable with. It was so still unlike the sea and never lulled him to sleep. He was positive that the others had noticed his pacing but they either decided it was just Kwazii being Kwazii or weren't sure how to approach the situation. Peso though helped. When Kwazii got tired and pacing or trying to find any possible way to keep his nerves at bay he leaned against the wall. After a few minutes, Peso walked over and sat in front of the cat pirate.
He gently rolled a paper ball to Kwazii who rolled it back. The two continued to roll the ball back and forth between each other. Soon Tweak and Dashi joined in and it soon began a circle of rolling the ball between one another while Captain Barnacles steered the Gup. By nightfall, the group of five arrived at the forest area. Kwazii smiled at Peso when they exited. "Thanks for the help earlier Peso. I really needed that." Peso smiled back at Kwazii. "I was glad to help you. You looked nervous and it was the right thing to do." The cat grinned and ruffled the penguin's head fur. "I'm glad then that you were here with us."
Once everyone was out of the Gup-1 Captain Barnacles called Shellington via his octowatch. "Captain it's wonderful to hear from you. Did you and the other octonauts make it safely to the forest?" Kwazii perked his ears up a bit wanting to see if he could hear the conversation. A "yes" came from Captain Barnacles and then it was difficult to make out the rest of what they were saying. His attention was brought over to Tweak though when she suddenly tossed a backpack at him.
"The plan is for two people to remain in the Gup while the other three walk in front of it and search for anyone who might be around here. You, Dashi, and Captain Barnacles will be walking out front while I drive the Gup and Peso makes sure to be in place in case there are any injuries from the folks in trouble or if one of you gets hurt." Kwazii slipped on the bag giving a nod to let Tweak know he heard her. "Let's get going then. Does Cap'n an Dashi have bags as well?" As much as the cat wanted to book for it and take off to see where the alert was coming from he knew that the others might need some more time to be ready to go into the forest.
He may have been nervous in the Gup-1 and was still nervous at the moment but Kwazii wasn't a coward. If something made him uneasy Kwazii was used to rushing in and taking care of the problem as quickly as he could rather than waiting. "We're both also ready to go Kwazii. All we need is for Tweak and Peso to get into the Gup-1." Tweak and Peso made their way into the Gup-1 before giving Captain Barnacles the thumbs up that they were ready to go. The gears of the Gup-1 started up and soon the walk through the forested area had begun. It was surprisingly wet which led Kwazii to believe it had rained before they got there or something odd had happened since the rain hadn't been seen or detected by Tracker when he sent the direction of where the octoalerts were coming from.
"Hey, cap'n do you think wherever we are going that maybe they had a ship or something that had a lot of water? I mean it's possible that Tracker could have been wrong about the weather but I don't it's like 'im to be wrong." Captain Barnacles glanced around taking in the area for a moment. "It is strangely wet, yes but that doesn't mean Tracker was wrong or right. The water seems like sea water but also some rain. I would guess that whoever did send the alerts was in water but there was a small sprinkle as well before we came here. If it was small enough it is possible that it was missed." Kwazii highly doubted that Tracker was wrong because the strong smell of salt was noticeable. Captain Barnacles glanced around taking in the area for a moment.
"It is strangely wet, yes but that doesn't mean Tracker was wrong or right. The water seems like sea water but also some of it does seem to be rain. I would guess that whoever did send the alerts was in water but there was a small sprinkle as well before we came here. If it was small enough it is possible that it was missed."
Kwazii gave a hum in acknowledgment. He continued to look around the area for any possible signs of life. After tracking for several hours into the forest a fireplace that had been put out was found. The locations of the alerts seemed to have moved through but as they tried to follow it to the new location the alerts went back to where they were again.
Almost like they kept circling. Eventually, Captain Barnacles looked at the crew. "I believe it would be best if we hid somewhere around this area and wait to see if the alerts come to us. They may think something is chasing them. If they haven't ever known of a Gup the sounds of Gup-1 may be scaring them."
"How should we hide the Gup-1? Me an Peso can't leave the three of you alone. If we're too far we can't help you if whatever we're looking for does attack." Dashi looked up at Tweak. "How about the nearest cave? Or at least fifty feet away from the fireplace? You should be able to blend in if you are that far and can get here quickly too if anything goes wrong. If you want we can use those gel bead guns you have or paintball guns to scare them off if we are in danger. If they become hostile because we scare them the worst thing to do would be injure them more with something more dangerous."
Dashi made valid points and none of the octonauts liked guns that used real bullets. Dashi herself and Professor Inkling seemed to have bad histories with the weapons and hadn't explained what it happened or why to anyone else besides Peso. The other five had their own dislikes for the weapons and the violence that came with them as well. "Ok we'll do that Dashi your idea sounds good" Tweak replied. She disappeared from view for a few moments before walking out of the octopod with two cases. "The gel guns are here and their handguns. Be careful and stay low."
Tweak handed out the guns and made sure before she left with Peso that the three of them were hidden. They laid on their stomachs and behind a thick amount of grass and bushes that seemed to promise a secure and well hidden spot to look at the fireplace and keep all attention needed on it.
"I promise to Tweak that I'll make sure Dashi an Cap'n are safe." The mechanic gave Kwazii a pleased smile. "I appreciate that but that also means you watch yourself too." Tweak gave the other two a thumbs-up before leaving the three. The group waited and hoped that their plan would work and that whatever the alerts were coming from showed up.
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4
