When the cards are all stacked against you, try using a new deck.

“We don’t know whether to kiss you, kid, or bar you for life.” Burton Trench glared at Wendell from across the table. Ernie couldn’t stop laughing.

“You have to admit, the whole thing was genius,” the fat gnome beamed. He winked at Alhannah, “I see why you picked him, Red.”

She giggled, “One of many hidden talents.”

Burton growled, but Ernie jabbed him in the shoulder, “Oh let it go! Just give them the contract.”

“That’s a lot of money he’s askin’ for!”

“Yeah,” Ernie chuckled, “while making us a hundred times as much.  Win or lose, they just made us a fortune on top of a fortune, Burton—as well as increasing our national viewers by over twenty percent! You should be kissing his feet, not complaining.”

Reluctantly, the Trench owner slid the contract across the table to Wendell.

Without looking at it, the hero slid the papers to Nathan Taylor, who promptly picked them up and started reading. “And the church isn’t angry?”

A gnome in a black suit, standing behind the Brothers Trench, looked over the top of his wire frame glasses. “Are you kidding? They were delighted at the idea! Steel and Stone versus the Trinity in an open match? They jumped at the chance.”

Wendell nodded, “Just didn’t want to offend them. The odds were already in their favor.”

The wry smile looked unnatural on the gnomes face. “I think the millions of petitions flooding the bishops office had a little to do with it.”

“It’s all in order, Wendell,” Nat said calmly, sliding the papers in front him.

Wendell took a pen and signed his name. He slid it to Alhannah next. She signed and handed the papers over to Dax. The elf scratched a huge “X” across the last line and flung the packet back at Burton.

“Looks like we’re back in business,” the elf said smugly, displaying a mouthful of yellow teeth in a cheesy grin.

“And you’ll have a private box for Mr. Teedlebaum and his guests?” Wendell added. Both Morty and Chuck bounced up and down behind him.

Ernie held out his hand, “Better than that!” The suit pulled a folded paper his coat and laid it in the pilots hand. “The pay-per-view contract we just signed with WHRN was so profitable, my brother and I…”

Burton growled, looking away.

Ernie rolled his eyes, “…decided to dedicate the box to the Steel and Stone team. Which means as long as Trench Wars is around and we use that stadium, the box belongs to you.” He reached across the table and handed Wendell the paper.

With Chuck and Morty looking over his shoulder, Wendell opened the document. It was a deed, signed by W.E.T., INC and the Brothers Trench.

“There you go, gentlemen,” Wendell said, lifting the paper over his head.

The wizard snatched it faster than the tinkerer could blink. “Joy!”

Morty gasped and made a grab, “Hey—that’s for me!”

“In your dreams, midget.”

“Look who’s talking!”

“You’re the only one short here—I’m wearing a hat.”

“AHEM!” interrupted Deloris. She held out her hand.

Chuck frowned, “Look what you did…got us in trouble.”

The Brothers Trench stood up from the table, Ernie shaking everyone’s hand. “Thank you and we both,” nudging his brother in the ribs, “look forward to seeing you in the stadium!”

Burton held out his hand and briefly shook Wendell’s, “What he said.”

Alhannah saw them to the door, while everyone else patted Wendell on the back, congratulating him for a job well done.

“This isn’t over, you know,” he said.

Dax flung the refrigerator open and grabbed a couple beers, “No, but it’s a good start, kid.” He slid the drink across the table to Chuck.

Morty intercepted the pass and popped the cap off and took a swing in one fell swoop.

The wizard pouted. “At least I’ll get to watch it live.”

Alhannah clapped her hands together as she entered the room. “Alright people, we have work to do and only two days left to do it in! Nat, get a hold of Shamas and the TNT crew. Let’s get the S.L.A.G.s transported to the stadium today. Also, we’ll use the private box as an apartment for now. Take shifts so there’s always someone with the machines.” She cast a glance at Wendell, “Don’t want to take any chances this time. In the meantime, I’ll…”

“Get your behind back to bed,” Höbin called form the doorway.

She scowled, “I don’t have time for…”

“What?” he challenged her, “Passing out? Losing the greatest Trench match of the season?” He strutted around the table and placed form hands on her shoulders, guiding her to the hallway. “I’ll make you a deal. You listen to me and do exactly what I say and I’ll make sure you’re ready for the games in two days.”

Trying uselessly to resist, she looked over her shoulder. “If I refuse?”

The historian smirked evilly, “Then I’ll make sure you remain unconscious for the next two weeks.”

She gasped, “You wouldn’t dare!?” Looking to Chuck for support, she discovered the wizard staring at her with raised eyebrow. She’d seen that look many times growing up. He was daring her to resist. She lowered her head and sighed, “Yes, daddy.”

****

With Shamas and the TNT crew moving to the new stadium shop, the bodyguard had recommended Wendell and Dax stay at the warehouse for safety reasons. The last thing they wanted was to have either of the pilots vanishing right before the big match. Alhannah was confined to bed, which she didn’t appreciate—but strictly obeyed her father. He wasn’t a parent known for bluffing. Nat became the go-between, bringing Alhannah news and relaying her instructions to the letter. Of all the members of Steel and Stone, only she had actual experience of being in the finals of Trench Wars.

Wendell, however, quickly found himself bored.

At first he decided to use the outdated video game to hone his skills, but after beating the entire game twice on the advanced skill setting, he decided to roam the building. The hangar was empty—the only things left were smashed crates, oil spots and the holes in the wall where Wendell had either stumbled into with Gnolaum, or pierced them with the giant sword. Can’t believe I’ve done so much. Experienced so much. The soft scuffling sounds of his sneakers echoed in the empty chamber. Or that I get a second chance to put things right.

He wandered the corridors, stopping briefly to glance through the crack of the door to Alhannah’s room. She snored lightly in her bed. True to his word, Höbin had worked with Chuck to restore the gnome warrior back to health. She no longer had rings around her eyes and her father could no longer overpower her. The only thing keeping her in the room now, was her word. Closing the door, he continued down the hall.

Pausing at the library door, he raised his hand to knock…but hesitated.  He opened and closest his hand, unsure. There’s no reason to go in there, he told himself. Lili wasn’t interested in what he was doing and there wasn’t much point in trying to help her at this point, either. Wendell hadn’t paid much attention to gnome history or their culture outside their favorite sport. Lili seemed much happier confined to the magically decorated library and pouring over books for the duration of their stay. She’s doesn’t care about the Trench Wars and she doesn’t seem to care about…he sighed. Two different worlds. That’s what it is. He felt utterly useless.

His arm dropped to his side and he turned to leave.

“Oh, Wendell—there you are!” Morty gasped, nearly out of breath. “Would you have a moment or two to assist me? I could really use your help.”

“Uh…sure.”

“Brilliant!” beamed the gnome, “I don’t think Deloris and I can do this on our own, but it’s not complicated. Just need another set of hands.” The tinkerer led Wendell back to his private laboratory, where the PROMIS machine was humming away.

“Wow,” Wendell said aloud, “I hadn’t paid much attention, but that really is one huge machine. You built it all on your own?”

The gnome grinned, “You think so?” Morty stopped and admired his handiwork for a moment. “Well, yes I did, actually. Both of them, in fact. Its twin is in the next room, as a backup. Funny, I’m so close to achieving what my father always wanted, I’ve stopped noticing the size and focused on the potential.”

“Your father?”

Deloris appeared from the other side of the machine and waved cheerfully, “Morning!”

Wendell smiled and waved back. “Good morning, Deloris.”

Morty dragged a silver cable from the corner of the room and laid it near the base of the PROMIS device. “My father was obsessed with inventing a perpetual generator. Something to change the way Clockworks created energy, so we’d stop depleting all our natural resources and make life safer for everyone. Well, that and to destroy the monopoly the government has on power.” He beamed at his creation—the project that had taken so much of his life…stealing it away from the things and people he loved. “After an entire lifetime of effort, he succeeded. He was able to create a single device that produced a never ending source of power.” He sighed, “Unfortunately it’s only a model,” his mouth twitched, “unable to power more than a laptop at most. I haven’t been able to figure out how to emulate it, so,” but Wendell cut him off.

Looking at the tinkerer, perplexed, “Wait. Your father didn’t leave you notes? Diagrams? Something to explain how to duplicate his invention?”

Morty exhaled abruptly. He looked like the wind had been knocked from him. “He was a furnace foreman,” he recalled, “Most of his time was spent underground—stoking the fires to turn those gigantic generators, so the rest of us could live a ‘better life’ above ground. That’s also where he kept his notes, Wendell—in a small supply shed. His co-workers thought he was a bit off, always working on calculations, sifting through garbage for parts…but they respected my father. Right before retirement, his whole crew died in a furnace explosion. Burned everything.”

“Oh, Morty,” Wendell gasped, “I’m so sorry.”

Stepping closer to the device, the gnome looked up at the metal sculpture lovingly, patting the main cylinder. “All I’ve ever wanted to do is finish what he started. To solve the energy dilemma. To minimize the need for gnomes to be running those giant machines underground. To fuel the whole city, for free, and destroy the monopoly altogether.”

Wendell kept silent. If the government releases its hold on the people…otherwise you’re just filling their pockets.

“Right now, Clockworks burns garbage and natural resources to generate our electricity. We’ve also learned use the flow of sea water to generate some of our electrical quotas—though it’s far from perfect or even efficient. That’s why I designed the PROMIS. It’s supposed to be an amplifier. I figured, if I can’t figure out how to make a perpetuating generator, perhaps I can find a more efficient way to replace the generators themselves.

“Sounds like a great idea, Morty.” Wendell stepped closer to the giant machine, studying its array of tubes and cables weaving in and out of the device. “And this machine can do that?”

Morty frowned. “Yes. Well…no,” then, “Well, not yet, anyway.”

“That’s my sweetheart,” chimed Deloris, “stay positive—we’ll get it!”

They both chuckled at her supportive enthusiasm.

Flushing, Morty cleared his throat and knelt down in front of the large cable on the floor. “These cables go to my new battery bank, for testing…and they need to be secured at the same time. That’s why we need your help, three cables, three sets of hands.”

“Gotcha.”

“I’ll just hook it up loosely, like so,” he slid the cable down into the sleeve on the PROMIS. “Then all you have to do is pull this tightening lever—right there, which will clamp and lock the cable into place. We’ll pull on the count of three, ok? Deloris and I will be on the other side.”

“That’s it?”

The tinkerer smiled, “That’s it. Told you…not complicated.”

Positioning themselves, Morty counted. “ONE!…TWO!…THREE—CONNECT!”

Wendell pulled the lever. There was a small popping sound and the cable snapped into place. He stood up and waited until the gnome returned. “It popped and hissed. Was it supposed to do that?”

“Completely normal.”

Deloris joined them, “Thank you, dear, for the timely help. Sometimes you wish you had more than two hands.”

Morty smirked, “Not here, dear.”

She hit him in the shoulder, “Stop that.”

Wendell laughed. “This sounds like an amazing and incredibly important invention, Morty. Far more important than winning Trench Wars.”

The tinkerer shrugged, “I’m not so sure about that. I just want to bring my race into the light, Wendell—but if you win, you could open their minds, soften hearts. Look how much you’ve done already! Completely changed the way the games have been played by calling on the fans for help. That was truly intelligent.” He nudged the hero in the ribs, “Plus you got me sweet seats for the final match tonight!”

Like cold water splashed in his face, Wendell stared at the gnome. “What…did you just say?”

The tinkerer hesitated, wondering if he’d said something offensive.  “You can…open their minds?”

“No, before that.”

Deloris stared at him puzzled, “He just wants to bring gnomes into the light.”

“That’s it!” Wendell squealed, eyes round as softballs. His arms flung up into the air and, “wooHOO!”

“Cripes!” blurted Morty. Jumping backwards and almost knocking Deloris over.

Wendell grabbed the tinkerer’s arm to steady him, laughing as he did so. “Sorry about that. You…just solved something very important for me!Something I’ve been struggling with.”

The tinkerer brushed himself off and straightened his shirt. “Glad to be of help. But did you have to give me a heart attack?”

Stepping between them, Wendell grinned like a child in a candy shop. He walked up to the PROMIS, patting it vigorously, admiring the sudden possibilities. “What do you need to make this thing work?”

“Well,” Morty started, curious at the sudden interest, “I need a decent power source. Can’t do anything without that. My fathers little generator puts out enough juice to conduct the initial tests, but,…I don’t create enough to prove practical application. I need to be careful and maintain a controlled environment—so it has to be an isolated source.”

A faint giggling rose from Wendell and the gnomes watched his shoulders rise and fall. He quickly swallowed to choke it down.

Morty gripped Deloris’ hand and took a step back. “I…uh, are you ok?”

Wendell leaned against the machine, both hands propping his up. He nodding vigorously, “Mm-hm. Go on.”

“…uh,…I’d also need a battery set up big enough to hold the power created. At least for the tests. But the biggest stumbling block I have, or challenge,” he glanced at Deloris, “I should say…”

She patted his arm, “Thank you.”

“…is this device is designed to attach directly to the grid. It can be a local feed or through the main power grid, doesn’t matter, but it’s supposed to feed energy directly into the community.” Wrapping his arm around Deloris, he gave her a little hug, “But we can’t conduct those tests until we know it works, and that’s not really a concern until I can find a power source to amplify.” He shrugged, “It’s all connected, but the source is the most important—the rest would fall into place after that.”

Wendell let his head fall forward against the PROMIS…and started laughing out loud.

Both Morty and Deloris looked at each other, brows crinkled forward in confusion.

Turning on his heels, Wendell flipped around with a huge smile and stared Morty straight in the eyes. “What if you had a never-ending source of light?”