February 18, 1996 – 22:30 (10:30pm). The bus was passing through Aldwych station – they picked up some people after the theaters let out. Evan noticed three men wearing very long jackets that seemed to be well out of fashion – something reminiscent of the magical world. He kept his eyes on them while he began to enter Mu-Shin and Haragei. Evan then chanted the mantras for Retsu (dimensional control) and Zen (absolute enlightenment) so nobody would notice him.
22:35 (10:37pm). They were going to be at Charing Cross in just a minute. Evan noticed wands dropping down into the palms of the hands of two of the three suspect men. The two men immediately began to move their arms to cast a spell: one at the third man, and one at the floor of the bus; Evan tried to slow time while at the same time throwing three (poisoned) shuriken knives. The knives hit their targets in the throat, but was a fraction too late. The spell of one of the men, closest to the bus' fuel tank, hit the floor, exploding the tank underneath, sending an explosion front and flames through the bus. Evan had just a fraction of a second to push his magic to shield the passengers and himself.
February 19, 1996 – 07:00 (7am). Evan woke up sore and confused. He tried to move his arm to clear his eyes, but found it handcuffed to the railing of the bed. A nurse noticed he was awake and called the Bobby stationed at the door. "Where am I?" he asked the nurse. "You are St. Tomas's Hospital" she replied. "What happened? Why am I handcuffed to the bed?" he asked. "You were found in the wreckage of the 171 bus last night, with weapons on you. We have some questions for you." The Bobby said snarling slightly. "I am just awaiting the detectives to arrive from Scotland Yard" he continued. "Sir, officer, I think I can clear some of this up if you can call my Commander at CTCRM. Please tell the Commander that it is regarding Midshipman Fenix" Evan responded.
Twenty minutes later, the detectives arrived. The Bobby had prevented any further treatment, food or water from being provided to his prisoner. Evan was "forced" to use a bedpan to relive himself as the Bobby also refused to let him up to use the loo. Evan was no stranger to such methods – he had grown up with them, after all, unbeknownst to the Bobby. As the detectives entered his room, they conferred for a minute with the Bobby before approaching Evan's bed.
"What's your name, murderer?" they began. "Aren't you jumping the gun a bit, detectives? And my name is Midshipman Evan Fenix of the Royal Marines. I am sure, since I do not see my clothes or belongings, that you have searched them and found my military ID. Have you contacted my Commander yet?" he replied. "We haven't seen any of your belongings as yet – they are in forensics at this time." The detectives responded, a bit sheepishly. "As to your Commander, a call has been put in." "As well as it should have been immediately upon seeing his military ID, gentlemen" boomed the voice of the Commander from the doorway. The detectives immediately stiffened their spines, standing at attention due to the presence of the woman besides the Commander, the Queen. Their eyeballs practically popped out as the Queen approached the Midshipman's bed asking to his health. The nurse, Bobby and detectives began to squirm uncomfortable at the reverence the Queen was showing their prisoner. "I'm fine, your Majesty, Ma'am. I am a bit…..tied up at the moment, so please excuse me from not taking the proper forms in greeting you" he replied. The Queen glanced at the detectives with eyebrow raised. They quickly stated "He is suspected in the 171 Bus bombing last night in Aldwych, your Majesty." "NONSENSE" cried the Queen. "This young man has been of personal service to the Crown! We have personal knowledge of his loyalty to Us. He his beyond reproach. Uncuff him immediately!" she commanded. "Yes, Ma'am. Immediately." The detectives responded, scrambling to comply with her commands. "Have you eaten yet, Midshipman?" the Queen asked. "No, Ma'am" he replied. "Has the physician been to see you yet?" she continued. "No, Ma'am" he replied. "Let Us get your needs taken care of first, and then you will proceed to tell Us your tale" she instructed, looking directly at the Nurse. "Yes, your Majesty, Ma'am" said the nurse quickly and shamefaced. The nurse turned away to get the doctor to come immediately and ordered some breakfast.
Evan described the events as he knew them, leaving out the wands. He explained that he had thrown the three knives at the suspects just before the explosion, but did not know what happened since. The detectives completed the tale – the perpetrators were members of the IRA. They identified one, Edward O'Brien, as the bomber. The detectives claimed his bomb was made of 2 kg of Semtex, placed in a satchel, and set near the door of the bus. The bomb apparently killed O'Brien and the other two instantly, and wounding several passengers, including the driver. The Midshipman was found near the driver with several throwing knives and a semi-automatic pistol on him, and consequently was considered a suspect as well. Upon inspection of O'Brien's London apartment, they discovered an additional 15kg of Semtex, 20 timers, four detonators and ammunition for a 9mm Walther revolver, along with an incendiary device. The revolver itself they found on O'Brien's body at the scene. Scotland Yard believed O'Brien was also the person who planted the telephone box bomb three days prior at the Charing Cross location.
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