Chapter 20 - A NEW DAWN
Silence fell over the high cathedral bell tower.
The digital countdown display froze at exactly 00:03 seconds.
A heavy hiss of pressurized gas echoed as the green neutralizer vapor began venting into the cathedral's central air ventilation system.
Below in the courtyard, the contaminated air rapidly cleared as the neutralizer bound to the toxic airborne particles.
The iron gate mechanism suddenly lost electrical power, unlocking with a heavy metallic clatter.
Ethan shoved the gate open and sprinted to Clara's side, lifting her head from the floor.
"Clara! Clara, answer me!" Ethan yelled frantically.
Clara opened her eyes slowly, coughing slightly as she looked up at Ethan's battle-worn face.
"Did... did it work?" Clara asked in a faint voice.
Ethan looked out over the parapet at the city below, where emergency sirens were fading into the calm night.
"You saved them all, Dr. Vance. You saved every single one of them."
A squad of military police arrived on the roof, apprehending the crushed Dr. Miller and securing the area.
As the sun began to rise over the horizon, casting warm golden light through the shattered stained-glass windows, medical evacuation helicopters landed in the courtyard.
Tyler was sitting up on a stretcher below, waving weakly at the bell tower.
Ethan stood up and offered his hand to Clara, pulling her up to her feet.
"You know, Dr. Vance, you make a damn good combat surgeon," Ethan smiled warmly.
"I think I'll stick to ER residency, Captain Ross," Clara laughed softly, wiping soot from her cheeks.
"Though I suppose every ER doctor needs a reliable military commander on speed dial."
Ethan laughed, handing her a pair of clean dog tags as a token of gratitude.
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The long, terrifying night had finally come to an end, leaving behind a story of bravery that would never be forgotten.
