Ships Ahoy!

Epilogue: The Farewell

A/N Below in bold italics I've included the author's note that appeared in its original form back when I first published this chapter back on June 13. But first, I'll quickly say thank you to CarryOnMyFreeBirdPie, BasilGrey, JonEllison, bella_bonkers, darkspectrum, Youarepawsome, SnoopyDragons, Odd-Todd, and ironic-illusion. I really appreciate all the votes, reviews, and support from you guys on here!

I want to send a huge, heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has stuck with me throughout this gigantic, unprecedented project of mine. You all are the best, and it's because of you that I willingly gave up hours upon hours upon hours of sleep every night since November 26 to get just one more chapter done. It's because of you that I endured depression, writer's block, and nights where I just went bats*** INSANE, or at least felt like it, tearing out my hair and such, trying to figure out how to keep going on this. It's because of you that I never gave up, even when it felt so hard that I couldn't finish. Thank you all so, so, SO incredibly much. You have no clue just how much you helped me achieve this goal. I will miss this adventure so much, but I have no regrets. Thanks again, all of you.

Now what are you waiting for? Go enjoy the epilogue. :')

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF LAILA

WHO FOUGHT IN THE NAME OF ODD SQUAD UNTIL THE VERY END

OLIVE AND OTTO WILL FOREVER HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU

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"There you are, Oscar. I know it's late, but I need your advice on a matter."

"That's what I'm here for, heh!" Grabbing the lapels of his lab coat, Oscar scooted around to his usual spot behind Ms. O's desk. "Now, what's so important you sent everyone else home early for? Are you getting another pet? Need a last-minute New Year's Resolution idea?"

Ms. O shook her head solemnly. "No, Oscar. This is different."

His smile faded. "Wh-what is it?"

"Mr. O called, from the next squad over in Montréal. He announced that he's officially retiring." She turned in her swivel chair to face him. "But Orville isn't confident that any of his agents are qualified enough to replace him." They both rolled their eyes. "A little while ago he called to tell me all this, and asked if I thought any of my agents might be up for the job."

Oscar didn't say anything to betray his thoughts, but it seemed to Ms. O that somehow he knew where this was going. "So you want me to help you decide who?"

Instead of replying outright, Ms. O asked him the obvious question. "Who do you feel are the best agents on our squad?"

There was no hesitation in his response. "Olive and Otto."

"Exactly." Ms. O motioned to one of the wooden chairs. "Take a seat, Oscar. We have a lot to discuss.

"I want to promote Olive," she went on after he sat down. "She's been on the squad for over fourteen years now, and since the pienado attack she's more than proved her worth for the job. I've assigned Olive the most dangerous cases and put her in charge of my office twice, and she always exceeded my expectations. She's persistent, savvy, determined..."