Chapter 7
Panthro used his strength and his laser-cutting tool to try to free Ben-Gali. Lion-O helped while Tygra continued to get medical updates. Lea was sent upstairs to get Pumyra. Unfortunately the lioness would have to inform her friend of the problem and then make sure the operating room was all set up.
"How is he doing?" The orange tiger asked in a loud voice so he could be heard over the machine.
"I'm starting to get cold." Sahara replied just as loudly. Tygra cursed under his breath. That wasn't good at all. Quickly he directed Panthro to cut faster and ordered Cheetara to run upstairs and retrieve blankets and medical supplies. Cold meant he was losing blood at an unhealthy rate.
"I've got his legs almost free!" Panthro shouted. The mangle of metal pieces and shrapnel was finally giving way. Lion-O was now able to grab big hunks of the crushed material and finally freed Ben-Gali's legs when Panthro made a large cut that also revealed parts of Ben-Gali's back. Cheetara arrived with the equipment Tygra had requested and the two got to work while the others continued to cut away the pod's remains.
"We're almost there!" The panther shouted as he near Ben-Gali's midsection. Meanwhile Sahara wasn't sure how much more she could take. Inside her head the white tiger was screaming. The pain emanating from his lower half was unbearable.
"His legs are cut deeply! There is a good possibility of tendon and ligament damage!" Tygra said as he tried to stop the bleeding with tourniquets.
"What else can we do?!" Cheetara asked.
"Only his head left!" Panthro screamed, his adrenaline was pumping and he was able to cut even faster than before. The next two minutes seemed like an eternity as they all held their breath. The remaining metal peeled back and Ben-Gali was free.
"Get the stretcher!" Tygra yelled immediately. Cheetara had it in an instant and rushed it over. Now with the sound of the cutting tool gone, they could communicate better.
"We'll need to gently lift him out and get him on the stretcher. Lion-O come to this side and hold his right shoulder and upper torso. Panthro grab his left. Cheetara on the left, take hold of his left leg and lower body. I have the right. Ready?" He asked once everyone was into position.
"Lift!" The four lifted in unison and carefully extracted Ben-Gali.
"I'm losing him." Sahara's voice was weak as they loaded the tiger onto the stretcher. Before anyone could say a word, Cheetara grabbed the end of the medical board with wheels and raced out of the hanger. The men went as fast as they could to follow her.
While all this was going on, Mumm-Ra looked through his bubbling cauldron. What he saw was good for him but he was unsure of how or why the Ancient Spirits of Evil had pulled them back to the pyramid. They hadn't spoke since their arrival.
"MUMM-RA!!!!" As if they had read his mind the ancient statues spoke.
"Yes oh ancient evil ones?" The mummy asked.
"YOU HAVE DISRUPTED THE BALANCE OF GOOD AND EVIL! IN ONLY A FEW SHORT HOURS MUMM-RANA WILL BE EVIL FOREVER!" They informed him.
"That is good news is it not?" Mumm-Ra wondered.
"EXCELLENT NEWS! HOWEVER ONE MORE ITEM MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED TO BE SURE THE TRANSFORMATION IS FINAL!" The statues said.
"What is that?" This didn't sound good.
"YOU MUST BRING THE SWORD OF OMENS HERE AND DESTROY IT FOR IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL FOIL OUR PLANS!" He was told.
"Consider it done my masters."
To Be Continued…
