Finally getting near the end...or are we? Mwahahaha!

Ch. 37

After much deliberating, Martis determined the safest wire to cut was the one attached to the battery. "Without power, this remote device should render the suits harmless," he said to Kavi, who nodded.

"Do it," she said. "Let it be on my head if there's any error."

Martis gulped, but obeyed, and snipped the wire. For a moment, nothing…then several things happened at once.

Captain Hunks arrived on the scene to see Lily burst through the tent with an enormous grin on her face, proclaiming, "Zip a dee doo-dah!" with Hannah peeking from behind wearing the Sergeant-Major's coat. Just when all began to breathe a sigh of relief, they all heard a sudden shout from the cathedral. As they all turned to look, the cathedral's tower blew up in an enormous inferno.

"Dear God Almighty!" Kavi whispered, frozen for a moment. She then exploded into action, barking orders while the local police ordered everyone back.

Oreldo, seeing Hannah was safe, guided her to the rest of the 906, yelling at the police officers to bring plenty of blankets.

"Take off your suits carefully, but get them away from that heat a.s.a.p.!" he said.

Any thoughts on racing into the cathedral were quickly made futile as the flames found the gas lines and another explosion occurred.

Lily, initially overjoyed at seeing Hunks, quickly dissolved into the Captain's fatherly arms in horror. She then shook herself, looked up at him and asked, "Is there anything we can do to help?"

For just arriving on the scene, Hunks got to work pretty fast, working with the police to ensure all civilians were safe and to make way for the fire brigade when it arrived.

Through it all, Martis stayed frozen, the remote forgotten in his hand. Seeing him, Oreldo rushed over and smacked him, sendingboth the remote and his glasses flying.

"Snap out of it!" he yelled. "It's not your fault, you idiot!"

Martis took a breath and came back to life. "It's…it's not?"

"No, you dummy! There was way too long of a pause! It couldn't have been rigged to the tower! If anything, it would have triggered the suits!"

"He's right," Kavi said, walking up with Hunks and Lily. "I said let it be on my head. I sent my team in. They were aware of the danger." She shook her head. "But why? Why blow up a priceless four hundred-year old place of worship? What was worth hiding? Or was it just a statement of defiance?"

No one had an answer. All they could do is watch as the ancient building crumbled to ash.

Far away, in another tower, Carlotta smiled and placed her hand on her heart.

"We all serve under the Silver Wheel," she whispered.

Hours later, with the remaining survivors accounted for, they finally received word from Princess Septieme, who was safe and sound. She had been intercepted by Carlotta and her team, who sought to infiltrate Duo's tower.

After being briefed, Kavi nodded.

"I probably would have done the same thing," she said with a wry smirk. After dismissing her, Kavi made a mental note to watch for her. Carlotta had taken far too long and it finding the princess was much too convenient. Also, she had killed the doctor outright. Too many things, mostly little, but they added up. To her dismay, she discovered that Septieme had appointed Carlotta and her team to be her new personal guard.

Well, why not let the fox run the chicken coop? she thought. She had no proof, but her gut instinct was rarely wrong. Royal etiquette was also going to be dicey. She couldn't accuse Carlotta outright, because it would reflect poorly on the princess. Any attack on Carlotta would also be seen as an attack on the princess, and thus, on the Crown itself. It would be high treason. Anything covert, and Kavi would immediately be the prime suspect.

Fine, I'll play, she thought, such a strategy is worthy of a chess master. But…how to discover if we are pawns or knights? After she tipped her hat to Captain Hunks in respect, she vanished into the night.

Two days passed as the police and fire crews pored over the ruined cathedral, looking for clues. Apparently, the entire building had been rigged with explosives. King Octavius and Princess Septieme commended Section Three for their bravery and gallantry in the whole affair. Each were awarded medals. Alice was present for the ceremony, although she only agreed to go when Captain Hunks sat in her place in the hospital. As soon as it was over, she returned to the Corporal's room.

"How long to you plan on staying?" Hunks asked.

"Until he wakes up," Alice said.

"You realize he may never wake at all?"

She shook her head. "He will. I just know it!"

Hunks sighed. It was useless to argue.

"I'll let you and the others escort him back to our hospital," he said, "After that, I'll give you two weeks leave. If he is still comatose, we'll…discuss what you want to do."

"Yes, sir."

One week later, long after visiting hours…

Alice watched Randel sleep, as she often used to whenever he was injured enough to warrant a stay in the hospital. He lay flat on his back, still as a corpse, save for his deep and even breaths. His long limbs stretched far beyond the confines of the narrow bed, so they had to find a small end table in order to prop up his feet. The blanket that covered him was barely wide enough for his shoulders, not that he seemed to mind. He was so still, she wondered if they had used horse tranquilizers just to keep him under as he healed. Well, surely the regular stuff wasn't strong enough?

Alice's gaze traveled over the roadmap of his scars, starting with the most prominent one that resided on his face. The large one that curled over his neck like a lazy serpent was just peeking through his hospital gown. Large and small, new and old, white and shiny pink, curiosity filled her as to the story behind each one. She supposed that for some he no longer remembered, and others so troubled him that he wished to forget.

The scar that carved away the Corporal's left wrist was by far the most disturbing. She bent down for a closer look. It was an older wound-smooth, yet gnarled like an old tree. She wondered how old he was when it happened. It looked like something very hot had been wrapped around his wrist, like a brand. She winced. Whatever the cause, it must have been excruciating. A miracle it was still usable.

Alice's curiosity got the best of her. She removed her gloves and traced her fingers over it. Oland's breath stilled, and Alice found herself holding hers. She waited, seeing if he would wake. When his breath returned to normal, she resumed exploring; her fingertips grazing over every little lump and bump.

"What happened to you?" she whispered. "Who did such a terrible thing?"

She explored the rest of his left hand. Burn scars coated his palm, which seemed to be from reloading his sidearm bare-handed. She noted with some mild surprise how clean and neat his fingernails were. They were trimmed recently.

This hand, she thought,her eyes misting over, this hand has been through hell. And what have I done to help this hand…this man? What have I done to help him heal? Nothing! This sweet, gentle soul…I haven't done nearly enough!

Tears welled up and she let them slide. No one would see them in here. The others had gone home for the night; the nurse wasn't due back for a long time.

"Oh, Corporal," she whispered, grasping his palm almost in reverence, sniffling, "I'm so sorry…so...s-so…"

So intent was she that she was completely startled when his hand suddenly curled around her own. She gasped and looked up to see a sleepy pair of sad eyes looking at her with a mix of amusement and sorrow.

"Lieutenant," he whispered in a sleep-roughened voice, "don't cry."