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Captain
Marlin ducks behind cover and lets the shots bounce by, then dives back out and splats the octotrooper. Last one defending this kettle; all that's left is to trigger the goal.
But when they get there, Marlin has to laugh. Looks like Cap'n made them another zapfish plushie!
They break the barrier with the back of their hero shot and pulls out the new plush to inspect it. This one has patches of blue and pink. The hat's a little different, too: right in the center is a bit of orange, the same color as Marlin's ink. That makes them smile.
That hat is what makes Cuttlefish Cap'n. Without it, he's Callie's Grumps, a kindhearted goofball. With it, he's an inkredible strategist and great leader.
He says Marlin's gonna take over someday, but Marlin's... really not that great at strategy. Sure, they beat all the other agents at chess, but—
"Agent Three, is everything all right?"
Marlin presses a hand to their headset. "Just finishing up, Cap'n."
"Well, hurry up! I've got crabby cakes waitin for ya!"
They turn squid, grab the newest plushie with their tentacles, and take off. Two superjumps and they're outside of the little cabin used as the NSS's base. The smell of crabby cakes hits them, and Marlin's stomach growls. They grab the zapfish and hurry inside.
Cap'n turns around. "Agent, report.”
“Only routine patrols in Octo Valley,” they say. “No sign of Octarian activity.” They scuff one foot on the ground. “Honestly, Cap'n, it makes me nervous.”
He raises one eyebrow. “Go on.”
“We thought it was safe to go to the metro when things got quiet here last time, but it was really because they'd moved to the canyon for a different plan,” they say. Coming out of the metro and learning what happened was one of the worst days of their life. “With no activity in either location for a month, now, I bet it means they're planning something somewhere else.”
“I quite agree,” Cap'n says. “And that means it's time for you to take over.”
Marlin swallows hard. “A-already? I know we talked about it, but—”
“It's been months,” Cap'n says. He sets the crabby cakes on the table. “Lucky and Ashti have always looked up to you and your skills; my grand-daughters respect your decisions. You understand our enemies, know about mercy, and above all, you'll protect Inkopolis.”
All of that is true, but Marlin isn't ready. They need another ten, twenty, fifty years.
“Can I...” Marlin hesitates, because this is such a childish request. “Can I wear your hat?”
“You can have your own, Captain Marlin,” he says.
Marlin shakes their head. “But... yours has wisdom with it.” It may just be a magic tooth, but they need all the help they can get.
Cap'n chuckles. He takes off his hat and turns it in his hands. “I suppose I don't need this old thing,” he says. “All it has is memories. All right, Captain,” he says, “it's yours. We'll schedule my official retirement ceremony, and your captainship ceremony, after lunch.”