Read Part 1 here

“…That was your cue to be all like, sure thing Bloop Dogg, we’ve fo’ sure got your back,” said Bloop, waiting expectantly. 

“Sorry, man,” replied Troy, treading water as he looked around at his friends’ bewildered faces. “I think we’re just having a hard time processing all this.” 

“And you are 100% valid for that, but things are moving fast, you dig? We’ve gotta bounce,” he said, bobbing down and turning his back to the group. “Go ‘head, jump on.” 

When nobody moved, Bloop swung around again. “Homies, it’s either this or blip through the space time continuum, and the last time I took a human through that they became more of a gelatinous blob than I am. The vibes were waaaaay off. Also, my guy over there just fainted. No rush, but he’s lowkey drowning.” 

Ryan was, indeed, slowly sinking. 

Troy looked at Connor, who sighed heavily. “I don’t think we’ve got a choice,” he said. 

Connor and Troy paddled over to their friend, and together they hauled him onto Bloop. 

“Alright squad, let’s hustle,” said Bloop. He shot forward impossibly fast, the team clinging on for dear life. 

“Okay, so, here’s the situation,” Bloop said, raising his voice over the sound of splashing water. “I owe some guys some money. Well, technically I owe this one guy, Kevin, lots of money. Long story short, he loaned me the funds to buy shares in this dope crypto startup. Crashed the same day it launched. Anyway, we’re here.” 

They’d arrived at a tiny island with a shell structure that was twice as wide as it was tall. The inside had been hollowed out, and an eerie purple glow was emanating from within. 

“Alright, so you made a bad investment,” said Troy, jumping onto the sand after Connor and Ryan, who looked unsteady on his feet. “What do you need our help with?” 

A massive crab chose that moment to scuttle out from the shell. His pincers were big enough to cut through a truck, and he looked rather unimpressed. 

“That’s Kevin,” Bloop whispered to the guys.  

“Bloop, you scurvy sea dog, you better have my money!” Kevin roared, skittering across the beach. He skidded to a stop in front of the group. 

“You spineless amoeba. You brought humans here?” 

“C’mon, Lil Kev, would I do you dirty like that? These aren’t any ol’ humans. They’re Taipan dudes.” 

Kevin took a few steps back and eyed the three men. “Damn, you’re right. They’re wearing the shirts.” 

Connor blinked. “You know about Taipan?” 

“Of course I know about Taipan! Best fishing shirts in the southern hemisphere. Breathable fabric, quality stitching.” He pointed a claw in Troy’s general direction. “Yours is last season’s colourway, though.” 

Troy crossed his arms self-consciously. “The new design hasn’t dropped yet. It’s coming-” 

“Wait!” exclaimed Kevin. “There’s going to be a fresh drop?” 

Connor nodded. “Yeah, it’s launching-” 

“If you help me get my pincers on one, I’ll forgive Bloop’s debt. Heck, I’d owe him.” 

There was a tense silence while the group mulled it over. 

“We can make that happen,” Troy agreed. 

Bloop clapped his tentacles together. “Let’s goooooooo!” he hollered, turning to Ryan for a high-five. “How can I repay you guys? You want free VIP tickets to my shows? Some kelp? It becomes a hallucinogen when I touch it,” he said excitedly. 

“Actually, I’ve got something better in mind,” replied Connor. 

An hour later, the guys were posing for a photo beside an Esky overflowing with fish. Every line they’d cast had come back with something on the hook. 

As if something was helping them from beneath the surface.