Ch. 18

Alice paused as a sudden realization hit her.

"Wait a second," she said. "How far are you willing to go to maintain this 'balance' you speak of?"

Kavi looked grim. "Whatever it takes, including death, regardless of who is involved."

Alice nodded slowly. "This superior technology we keep finding...if this Silver Wheel group is responsible, what is your intent when and if you find them?"

Kavi's expression didn't change. "Our goal isn't just to find this technology and keep it for ourselves, if that's what you're thinking."

"What is your ultimate goal with them, then?"

Kavi frowned. "If that technology finds its way into the wrong hands, it will only set off another war. We must do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening."

"Meaning?"

"We have to destroy it, plain and simple."

Alice's eyes flashed and she reached for her sword. Knowing how fast Kavi's quickdraw was, she kept her hand on the hilt but stopped.

"Tell me," she asked Kavi, gritting her teeth, "was it your group that destroyed Viscount Volken's tank?"

Kavi sighed. "I'm afraid so. We couldn't let the Empire get their hands on that technology."

Martis gasped and looked furious. "Those guys stole one of Section I's vehicles! They nearly ran me over! I was almost killed!"

Kavi sighed and ran a head through her hair. "And it was your group that killed them, wasn't it?"

"Actually, it was Corporal Oland who saved us all," Oreldo replied. "He nearly lost his leg because of them."

"I still don't know why the tear gas didn't affect him," Martis muttered almost to himself.

"Wait, one man against a truck built to compete with tanks?" Kavi asked, incredulous.

"If he really is one of us, the Invisible Nine," General Ulrich said, "I'm not the least bit surprised. He's supposedly the last of the 901 Anti-Tank Troop."

Kavi shook her head in disbelief.

"Are you telling me," she asked slowly, "That the 901-ATT was-is real? I thought it was just a character he made up based on the urban legend! Chemical warfare is one thing. I can believe that. But...but one troop...one man...who can-I mean, who was specifically built...created...to destroy a tank? How is that even possible? I know he's a huge, but...but how?"

Ulrich shrugged. "Genetic engineering, perhaps? I wish I knew. As for our chemical weapons, I know the Caplan Institute was involved." He thought for a moment. "Maybe they had a hand in the entire Invisible Nine Project."

Alice's neck tingled. She remembered the chilling details of the report Cecil's brother wrote. If even half of it was true, then Corporal Randel Oland wasn't just an incredibly talented war veteran. She could go so far as to speculate if he was even still human.

She shivered with cold dread. She never really had a chance to stop and think about it before. The first time he turned on that lantern in front of her was the only time she remembered being a little afraid of him. How his eyes changed, his voice! And yet...those same eyes were so gentle, so unassuming the rest of the time. No...they were scarred, just like the rest of his body, she realized. How much pain and misery had he seen...had he caused?

He seemed so sweet and awkward the first time they met, with that stupid leaf sticking out of his mouth. Yet when Grau Wulf's tank fired upon the village, he didn't even flinch. He never lost his cool. Instead, he caught her so carefully as she fell into his arms. He was ready to protect her even then.

"I have to see him," she said suddenly. She turned to Martis. "Martis, go back to the castle and inform both Her Highness and the Sergeant-Major what's going on. See if Stecchin is well enough to travel. If not, stay there."

"Yes, Ma'am," Martis replied. "What will you do in the meantime?"

Alice turned to Kavi. "I understand what you are trying to do, but I won't put my fellow soldiers or countrymen in danger. You have to find another way to maintain the balance without putting innocent people in jeopardy."

Kavi nodded. "I will do my best, Lieutenant, but I can't promise anything. Neither your Empire nor the Republic, nor any other government is safe with that technology out there."

"Then we'll just have to find the source," Oreldo said, folding his arms. "Attacking the root of the problem should do the trick...but where to start?"

"We'll just have to cross that bridge when we get to it," Alice said. "Now, where is he?"

Kavi looked at Ulrich, who nodded. She turned back to Alice.

"He's in the Rodelian Arena tonight. He's the main event. Steel cage match, if memory serves."

"Take us there immediately," Alice said. She turned to Martis. "You have your orders. Make sure Her Highness and Stecchin are safe. We'll meet back with you there, with or without the Corporal."

"Yes, Ma'am!"