Chapter 12
Lion-O practically jumped out of the Tank when it rumbled up the Lair. The ThunderStrike with the others wasn't far behind. Luckily, the fire was now out but the displaced were being told to go home. Until the building structure could be fully evaluated, no one would be allowed back in. Pali and Officer Shay had taken charged of the area and were making sure that those that needed medical attention were being helped while others were put to work trying to get the vehicles out of the hangar.
"Where is Tara?" Lion-O asked Pali.
"She rode with Sahara and Snarf to the hospital. Pumyra went with and Tygra is here helping triage. The children have been secured with Punthar. In all the commotion, I'm afraid that somehow Sol escaped. Li-en and Cavan helped the prisoners escape the building but when they turned to help the others Sol pushed his guard down the stairs. The guard is in bad shape. He hit his head and Tygra isn't sure if they can save him," Pali explained. Lion-O clenched his fists. The battle may have been won with the death of Timor but now that Sol was on the loose and the war would continue.
"I have to get to the hospital. Are things under control here?" The lion wanted to know.
"Yes. Go my King," Pali nodded. Lion-O then jumped back into the ThunderTank and Panthro drove him to the hospital. The lion leapt from the vehicle and raced inside where he was quickly directed upstairs to the children's' ICU. There he found Cheetara sitting in the waiting room, her head in her hands. Her uniform had blood on it and he immediately scooped her out of the chair and pulled her close, checking her over.
"What happened?" He asked; glad to see that she was unharmed.
"It's her left foot. It was crushed by the debris," Cheetara could no longer keep it together and she cried as she pressed her face into her husband's chest. Lion-O held her close, barely able to keep it together himself. If she was this distraught, it must be very bad and while he wanted to know everything immediately, he had to let her calm down. Sahara was starting to show that she might have powers like her mother and the two had shared a very special link since birth and Lion-O imagined it was all very overwhelming. While they held each other, Panthro worked his way out into the hallway and found a nurse.
"How bad is little Sahara?" He asked.
"I can't say. You're not family and regulations don't let me talk to anyone but family," the puma reminded him.
"She saved my children's' lives. Please," the panther was practically begging. The puma looked around and then pulled the panther into a mop closet.
"Sahara's left foot was very badly damaged. The doctor is going to do all he can to try and save it but he might not be able to," she admitted.
"She's not even five yet," the panther swallowed.
"Children are surprisingly resilient but there might not be enough left for the doctor to fix," the nurse said.
"Great Jaga's ghost," he heaved a sigh.
"I'll try to keep you all informed as much as I can but the surgeon will be the one to give the final word. I'm truly sorry," she said before pushing past him and out of the mop closet. Panthro stood there for a few minutes unsure of what to do next. Once he'd regained his composure, he headed back to the waiting room where he found Cheetara explaining everything she knew. The look on Lion-O's face did not hide his emotions. He could see the mix of rage and concern. Panthro moved over quickly and put a hand on his younger friend's shoulder.
"I'll get this bastard. I promise," he said.
"Whatever it takes. I want Sol found," Lion-O told him.
"Consider it done," the panther nodded.
To Be Continued…