Chapter 30

Carl and his forces defend their castle base against an organized multi-pronged assault: invisible Madness Monkeywrenchers, Reaver paratroopers, and a compromised mage (Lonnie) who has been taken over by a gondii brain worm and is systematically disabling interior defenses. With reinforcements arriving and Tina the allosaurus entering the battle, the defenders mount a counteroffensive down the hill.

The chapter opens with Carl, Splash Zone, Doctor Bones, and other defenders positioned at the castle's main entrance, shielding against pulse rifle fire from multiple enemy forces. The initial assault is a softening attack; a larger enemy force approaches from the north within thirty minutes. Louis reports the hangar portal needs external repairs but cannot safely access the roof. Tipid sustains a shoulder injury from pulse blasts. The defenders identify three enemy types: invisible tech-cloaked Monkeywrenchers detected via Donut's heat-vision glasses, Reaver paratroopers massing at the base of a hill, and several of their own mages compromised by gondii brain worms. Rosetta discovers that Lonnie, head of the Beefy Boys defensive mage squad, has been possessed and is remotely disabling interior wall protections to allow an automated assault through a saferoom door. Carl struggles with the decision to deploy Tina, a child, into combat, recognizing the hypocrisy given his earlier orders to keep other children safe. After internal conflict, he nearly orders Tina forward but stops himself. Donut, operating under an Extreme Focus buff that increases chattiness, unilaterally orders Tina into battle via direct command, overriding Carl's hesitation. Tina emerges screeching with her magic wand, instantly identifying and eliminating invisible enemies. Donut rallies all nearby forces from atop the castle and leads a charge down the hill toward the massed paratroopers, with Tina surging ahead in her pink tutu.