Above her, above the city center,
the web of caterpillar thread was more intricate. She rushed to
the
control desk, sent a dispatch to the generals. “Let Redd advance,” she ordered. “But be sure the soldiers make a show of resistance. If they don’t, she’ll be suspicious.”
“Let Redd advance?” General Doppel’s voice croaked. “All due respect, Your Majesty,” said General Gänger, “but that’s crazy talk!” “Just do it!”
With Bibwit fidgeting at her side, and still defending Dodge—who had yet to land a blow on The Cat construct—against Redd’s bruisings, she watched the control desk’s viewing screens. On the outer streets of Wondertropolis, the first of her retreating card soldiers appeared, fighting weakly and rushing for cover whenever it presented itself. Redd’s army came from every direction at once. Redd herself followed along behind the warriors who’d fought their way through the Everlasting Forest, riding tall in her three-wheeler with Arch and her tutor as companions. Beep, beep beep beep. Hatter’s voice pumped through the control desk’s speakers: “Queen Alyss, I’ve woven the green thread, as you requested. The pattern is all but complete.” “Hold, Hatter, and wait until I give the order to complete it.” Redd’s forces were quickly surrounding the palace, smashing shop windows, exploding transports, scarring building fronts with crystal shot and razor-cards. “Are you sure this is wise, Alyss Heart?” Bibwit said, but he seemed to be talking to himself and Alyss didn’t answer.
“Closer,” she was murmuring as Redd advanced. “Closer.” Another few blocks and the palace itself would be overrun. Redd’s army was already storming down Heart Boulevard toward the palace gate. But still Alyss waited. Redd appeared on the boulevard. Three blocks away, two blocks, one block—
“Now, Hatter!”
On Talon’s Point, the Milliner tied the last segment of loose caterpillar thread in place according to the diagram Arch had given him, and—
WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMP!!!
WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMP!!!
WUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMP!!!
WUUUUUUUUMMMP!!!
WUUUMP!!!
It didn’t matter who or what they were—queen, tutor, guardsman, general, evil ex-princess, conniving former king, chessman, soldier, mercenary, or civilian. To WILMA, all were equal, all equally vulnerable to the upside-down mushroom cloud of energy she’d birthed, and for a time, the length of which would be forever unknown in the annals of Wonderland, it was as if life in the capital city had been wiped out.
control desk, sent a dispatch to the generals. “Let Redd advance,” she ordered. “But be sure the soldiers make a show of resistance. If they don’t, she’ll be suspicious.”
“Let Redd advance?” General Doppel’s voice croaked. “All due respect, Your Majesty,” said General Gänger, “but that’s crazy talk!” “Just do it!”
With Bibwit fidgeting at her side, and still defending Dodge—who had yet to land a blow on The Cat construct—against Redd’s bruisings, she watched the control desk’s viewing screens. On the outer streets of Wondertropolis, the first of her retreating card soldiers appeared, fighting weakly and rushing for cover whenever it presented itself. Redd’s army came from every direction at once. Redd herself followed along behind the warriors who’d fought their way through the Everlasting Forest, riding tall in her three-wheeler with Arch and her tutor as companions. Beep, beep beep beep. Hatter’s voice pumped through the control desk’s speakers: “Queen Alyss, I’ve woven the green thread, as you requested. The pattern is all but complete.” “Hold, Hatter, and wait until I give the order to complete it.” Redd’s forces were quickly surrounding the palace, smashing shop windows, exploding transports, scarring building fronts with crystal shot and razor-cards. “Are you sure this is wise, Alyss Heart?” Bibwit said, but he seemed to be talking to himself and Alyss didn’t answer.
“Closer,” she was murmuring as Redd advanced. “Closer.” Another few blocks and the palace itself would be overrun. Redd’s army was already storming down Heart Boulevard toward the palace gate. But still Alyss waited. Redd appeared on the boulevard. Three blocks away, two blocks, one block—
“Now, Hatter!”
On Talon’s Point, the Milliner tied the last segment of loose caterpillar thread in place according to the diagram Arch had given him, and—
WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMP!!!
WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMP!!!
WUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMP!!!
WUUUUUUUUMMMP!!!
WUUUMP!!!
It didn’t matter who or what they were—queen, tutor, guardsman, general, evil ex-princess, conniving former king, chessman, soldier, mercenary, or civilian. To WILMA, all were equal, all equally vulnerable to the upside-down mushroom cloud of energy she’d birthed, and for a time, the length of which would be forever unknown in the annals of Wonderland, it was as if life in the capital city had been wiped out.