While Colonel Sutton's team was digging from above, Caroline and the others had already packed up everything they needed below. Caroline had also ducked into her storage space to update Nelson, who was utterly engrossed in studying the golden python, that they would be relocating for a few days. Nelson didn't even blink. His gaze never leaving the serpent's gleaming scales. He just grunted his acceptance. Then, a spark of intense focus shifted to her. "Can I stay in the storage space for a few days?" Caroline agreed instantly. She even moved his equipment inside so he could keep tinkering uninterrupted. Nelson actually jumped for joy on the spot. He rarely showed emotion unless it was too big to contain, and apparently, this counted. "Caroline, you're the best!" She then delivered news that made him even more ecstatic: Handsy, Medusa, and Tartrate would also be brought into the space soon. The group had just discussed it: they planned to stay at the army base for a while. Naturally, Medusa and Handsy couldn't exactly move in with them there. Tartrate was just ... easier to manage in the space. Nelson's eyes shone with pure delight. He was already envisioning sleeping blissfully with Jasper cuddled on one side and Tartrate on the other. Caroline kept her thoughts on that particular fantasy to herself. Some dreams were better left as dreams. She pulled out a full stockpile of food and daily necessities, set up everything Nelson needed, and told him to ask Jasper for help if anything came up. Only then did she leave the space. Once the military had withdrawn—excavators and all—Caroline commanded the mobile base to open its glass shield. Most of their smaller companions were already in the storage space. Denton's mutant rat horde was dismissed to scatter and fend for themselves. Then, they climbed out of the pit, each using their own methods. When Caroline reached the top, she found Colonel Sutton grinning at her with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "So? Happy to see me? If you are, put in a good word with Kay for me, yeah?" Caroline could only stare, momentarily speechless. Well, he certainly doesn't let pride get in the way. Hearing about his tragic rejection, Caroline couldn't tell whether to laugh or sigh. But judging from the message he relayed, it absolutely sounded like something Kay would say—perfectly true to her personality. The soldiers around them were snickering behind their hands. Colonel Sutton, apparently immune to embarrassment, puffed out his chest. Caroline politely cleared her throat. "I'll ... mention you favorably when I see her next." Colonel Sutton's grin stretched so wide the root in his mouth slipped and fell to the dirt. They discussed next steps. Caroline mentioned their intention to stay at the army base temporarily. The colonel's enthusiasm was immediate. "Oh, that's fantastic! Come on then, no need to hesitate. Your rooms are still waiting. That bastard Bernard is still hanging around, by the way. Couldn't ship him out before the quake hit. Doubt he'll cause any more trouble now, but we'll boot him the second things stabilize, and we have manpower to spare." Caroline nodded lightly. She remembered Bernard sending people to hunt them down. Imagine his reaction when his men never returned. If he ever tried anything again... If he was foolish enough to try anything within the base, they'd be restrained. But once he stepped outside its gates... His life would be forfeit. "No need to have your people dig further," Caroline told Colonel Sutton. "We'll follow you back shortly. There are aspects of my ability tied to this place. I'll handle the rest." She didn't want to reveal the mobile base, so she kept her explanation vague. Colonel Sutton didn't pry. Caroline had too many abilities to count, so weird things happening around her were practically routine. He simply rounded up his people and prepared to head back. Caroline assured him they would drive themselves over shortly. The quake might be over, but the base was undoubtedly in chaos. The fact that Colonel Sutton and his team had carved out time to save them was already no small thing.So with a quick cleanup, the soldiers hopped into their vehicles and rolled out. As the convoy departed, several young soldiers standing in the back of an open-top truck waved wildly at them. "Bye, Caroline! Bye, Tyler! Bye, little Denton!" Their voices fused together in cheerful, practiced unison. One enthusiastic private even whipped off his sweat-stained tank top, waving it like a flag. "We'll be waiting back at the base!" Caroline laughed under her breath and waved back. Beside her, Denton scowled. "What?! 'Little Denton'? Why am I always the youngest one?! Ugh!"