Chapter 8 – High Hopes

As Finn was being towed away, Holley and Sarge were already trying to conceive a viable plan - they had grasped what had just happened. Holley decided it was the most important now to go and help Mater:

'We've got to save Mater, now!'

'Okay, let's go,' Sarge didn't hesitate and, for the first time, trusted Holley.

As they were heading downhill, Sarge suddenly got an idea: 'Why don't you use your flying pads?'

'That's a good idea!' Holley nodded in agreement admiring Sarge's idea, 'But what about you, sir? Will you make it to the place on tyre? Coz you're endangered without me.'

'Holley,' Sarge looked deeply in her eyes, 'I have already experienced so much in my life and have had a very blessed life, but I'm really getting on. You and Mater have the whole future before you. I'm just a worthless old-timer now. If I do get killed on the way to you, I will. But I wouldn't withstand a thought that Mater would get killed because of me. Go and save Mater. I shall succeed you on tyre.'

'You're not worthless, Sarge. You have helped C.H.R.O.M.E. a lot. You can't imagine how devoted we are to you.'

'I'll succeed you. Now go save Mater.'

Holley hesitated for a moment, but then she nodded, turned round and flew away to save Mater. In the meantime, Sarge set off for maybe his last journey ever.

On the interstate

Mater was still in awe, and didn't know what to do. There seemed to be many choices to do, but none of them appeared reasonable. He didn't know whether to run away, ask for help or just wail.

All of a sudden, he noticed a purple spot flying in the sky. He instantaneously told it apart, since it was his beloved lovebird. He felt slight relief when he saw her coming, but it still felt bitter.

When Holley touched down, Mater broke into a jabber: 'Holley? Your alive! Thank God! Your alright?'

'Yes, I am alright, Mater. But what about you? Haven't you been hurt or maimed?'

'No … But what happened up there? How did Finn get hit?'

'Mater,' Holley said gravely, 'the explosion you heard was Finn being hit by a missile.'

'What?!'

'He was hit, and in all likelihood,' she sighed heavily, 'he's dead.'

Tears pricked Mater's eyes sharply, and it was a question of time when he wouldn't curb his grief and burst into tears. And it soon did happen.

'Mater,' Holley whispered, and embraced Mater tightly with her tyres.

'H-h-how c-c-could i-it h-happen?' Mater stuttered in tremendous shiver.

'He ran into the shot of the missile which was going to shoot you.'

Mater remained speechless (except for the blubber he was making), but soon realized what Finn had actually done. He looked at Holley with his eyes widely open. His sight implied great shock. Whilst looking at Holley, he sheepishly asked: 'D-do y-you mean to t-tell m-me t-t-that F-Finn h-had s-s-s-s-s-sacrificed h-his l-life to s-save m-mine?'

'Now when I think of it … yes. I'm so sorry.'

Surprisingly, Mater didn't burst into tears this time. In actual fact, he seemed to be amazed at Finn's chivalry. He seemed thoughtful, because he didn't respond in any form to Holley's answer (not even with blubber). He just kept thinking about the facts looking at the ground. Soon after, Mater looked back at Holley, and stated: 'Do you remember when we were together in that hotel in Genoa? We talked with Finn and he said that he and Leland were really close friends. So close they were able to sacrifice their lives for one another.'

At that moment Mater under the pressure of very strong feelings broke into a wail once again. But his words made Holley think about the friendship between Finn and Mater. She knew they'd been good friends, and they'd always been supportive to each other. Yet still, never would she say that their friendship was so close, so sincere.

During the mourning there was at least some good news; Sarge had survived his journey and made it safely to the grieving cars. When Holley saw him arrive on the road, she breathed out loud with a sigh of relief. She quietly whispered to Mater: 'Look, I know it's a terrible and abrupt disaster, however we do need to move on. We can't stay on this place anymore but start doing something to … to survive. Sarge is coming to us. Now we need to make a plan to save ourselves.'

Mater kept sniffling but raised his head to descry Sarge coming to them. But that didn't seem to make him feel better; he just remained speechless with his composure being sheer tits-up.

After Sarge arrived at the place, he greeted them casually: 'Hi! Is Mater alright?'

'Yeah … Physically he is,' Holley answered with a bitter look on her face.

'Mater … I'm truly sorry about Finn,' Sarge expressed his condolences, 'I know you were good friends. Maybe the besties. It's a great loss, but right now all I can say is that you need to move on.'

'That's what Holley told me too,' Mater nodded.

Sarge sighed, lost for any words he could say to Mater.

'Alright, lads, it's been a really sincere heart-to-heart in here, but we urgently need to do something to keep us in safety, as we're still under great jeopardy. My proposal is to call the C.H.R.O.M.E. headquarters, and tell them the latest news about Finn. They'll definitely provide you and your friends protection you need, and', Holley was speaking very confidently and fluently, but then she abruptly slowed down and saddened, 'I … I'll be probably expelled from C.H.R.O.M.E. for failing in a mission, and negligently killing my associate. But your lives are more vital than my career.'

'What?! This is gonna happen to you?! Are you sure there's no other solution?' Sarge outraged.

'Yes. I mean are we entirely sure Finn's dead?' Mater tried to find the very last hope left.

'I don't think he survived it,' Holley shook her head.

'But then … oh, my God! The crook was towing Finn away. And he didn't do it just to get rid of the cadaver!' Sarge stoked up the flame, 'I'm trying not to get overexcited about Finn being still alive, but it would make sense to abduct Finn to take advantage of him or just to … retaliate.'

And when Sarge had finished his speech, Holley remembered what Finn had said in his former associate's house after Sarge and Holley had left for Radiator Springs: 'I'm telling you, Holley, someone's been playing with us like a cat plays with a dying mouse, and there seems to be nothing we can do about it…'

Afterwards she remembered Finn talking about Professor Z: 'He was definitely on the list of the cars who would love to see me dead.'

And lastly she remembered poor Mater saying about how he had been manipulated: 'He was telling me that you both had died, and that I needed to die to meet you. He was trying to make me jump down the cliff…'

The things started to make sense. Finn might still have been alive, and it was very likely, since the professor Z was a soulless and retaliatory killer and seeing Finn die slowly and painfully in front of him would please him.

'That's right,' Holley mused, 'Finn has got a C.H.R.O.M.E. chip inside about which the crooks know, and he knows much vital information for them. Yeah, they now have a great advantage.'

'What chip?' Mater wondered but Holley retorted, whacked: 'Long story.'

'Holley … we must do this. And if not you or Sarge, I'll do it myself!' Mater was really stout-hearted to save Finn.

'You've gone crazy?!' Sarge scolded him.

'Mater,' Holley said, 'Finn is still alive, that's for almost sure. But look – you and Sarge have already done more than enough for me, Finn, C.H.R.O.M.E., and the whole world in fact. And you can't even imagine how much we owe you. Look, I'll call C.H.R.O.M.E. and they'll get you and the townsfolk somewhere safe. I'm the official C.H.R.O.M.E. agent, and it's my obligation to save Finn.'

'Holley,' Mater looked at Holley tears pricking his eyes, 'Are you forbidding me to help you to save Finn?'

'No, I can't forbid you, but I'm going to undergo a highly perilous mission. You know what that means, right? You can die. I don't know what is expecting me on the place I'm heading to but I know it's the only solution.'

'I understand,' Mater nodded close to tears again, 'but Finn has just helped me. What friend would I be if I didn't do the same when he needs it?'

Sarge supported Mater: 'He has a good point there.'

Holley now realized there was no other way and that Mater had to go. He was able to do anything to save Finn and it would be a sin if she forbade him. So she answered in a rather collected way: 'Okay. If you want to go with me, we'll go. But I still have to call C.H.R.O.M.E. so that the rest of the town can be put into the safety. And as soon as I finish the call, we'll set off.'

Mater and Sarge both nodded in agreement, so Holley picked up the phone and called the C.H.R.O.M.E.'s headquarters. A few hours later the entire community of Radiator Springs was transported to the safety where they were sheltered and protected until the crooks would be caught and sentenced.

The townsfolk were quite shocked at hearing what Mater was up to, but none of them would discourage him from doing it. So each of them wished him good luck, and he said goodbye to them. Each of them felt concerned about Mater, but they couldn't do anything to help him. Apart from Sarge; he quietly kept thinking that maybe he ought to do something to help Holley and Mater. After all, he did have good acquaintances on the highest ranks of the American military.

In the meantime, outside Radiator Springs

'How do we find Finn?'

'Luckily, I and continuously share our precise location between one another. In other words, I can see where Finn is at any time, and so can he.'

'Dad-gum! Ya can always surprise with somethin' new, Holley!'

Holley looked at Mater and chuckled. Afterwards, she pulled out another supercool gadget with which she detected Finn's precise grids.

'Okay,' Holley announced her findings, 'Apparently, Finn is in a harbour. Those bloody bastards; they do have to like keeping their hostages in boats on public places! Man, what a cheek!'

'What are we gonna do?'

'We've got to get there as swiftly as possible. But we've got to be cautious; they may be ready for us.'

'Well … let's go then!'

When Holley and Finn arrived at the alleged grids, they did find the ferry, which was very alike to the one Holley had been kept in before. Holley navigated Mater: 'Now we need to get inside that ferry. But how?'

'What about dat stowage der?' Mater proposed pointing at the small area in the lower cabin of the ferry.

'Not a bad idea, Mater!' Holley praised Mater solemnly, 'But if you want to get there too, you'll have to have a wash unless you've got an additional propeller or a flying wing installed.'

'I'm afraid not. But that ain't a problem, don't worry!'

Holley cackled and responded: 'Okay, then! Get your hook to my chassis and we'll get there!'

Mater followed Holley's instructions with willingness, and after coming up against a few difficulties, they got to the stowaway area.

'Dad-gum! That was fun!' Mater cheered after having a refreshing bath, 'I reckon I'm beginnin' to like workin' for C.H.R.O.M.E.!'

'I still don't get it why you rebuffed Finn's offer to join us and work for C.H.R.O.M.E.'

'I ain't think I'd pull it off, Holley. It's just so stressful and nerve-racking and I don't know I could do it continuously.'

'Yes, you're right.' Holley looked around to see they were surrounded by the metal walls with no doors. The room seemed a dead end.

'How are we gonna get out of here?' Mater was concerned.

'Don't worry, Mater. I've got these X-ray goggles and with them we'll see what's beneath the walls.'

Having put on the glasses, she looked around, 'Interesting. The goggles indicate that there is a corridor beyond these walls, however it's utterly empty as if it was an empty space in this ship. I'm afraid this room might be an ambush. But let me look a little bit more thoroughly.'

Mater remained quiet but he seemed slightly restless. Holley ignored it, though, and just went on plumbing the room. When she finished her examination, she still seemed unsettled but uttered: 'There seems to be nothing suspicious in the next room and hopefully, we can safely proceed into it. The ambient area is clear as well, so we shouldn't be disclosed by a guardian or any other low life. Hopefully, things will go right this time.'

'Very well. It's uncanny that I ain't seem to worry too much despite all the stress. It's more like good heart-warming feeling inside making me do this all.'

'It's because you do this all because of sincere love. And love is a virtue which is highly developed in your personality.'

'Eh … What?' Mater sneered in misunderstanding.

'You're the best friend I've ever had in my entire life, Mater. And you care more about Finn than about yourself. What else would you call it?'

'Eh …'

'Yes, it's love.'

'Okay … But now let's do move on, we ain't want Finn to perish because of our mawkishness, does we?' Mater snickered.

'No … we don't,' Holley took Mater really seriously. She cut a hole in the wall, and very soon they both were beyond the wall in a corridor. Luckily, no one was waiting for them there.

The atmosphere in it was truly eerie; the walls were all whiter than a pale human skin but far spookier than it with small holes scattered throughout the entire wall making it look like Eidam cheese. And to make the atmosphere even tenser, there were pipes at the ceiling of the room which hissed in random intervals as if the crooks knew Holley and Mater had entered the room and were trying to freak them out before slaying them.

As they were plumbing, Holley found another door leading out of that spooky corridor.

'That's great! Let's get out of h-' Before Mater finished, a deafening sound dinged throughout the entire corridor making Mater almost have an engine attack.

'Dad-gum! What was that?' Mater hollered in shock.

'I'm afraid the ferry has just set off. That means we'll soon be at sea. But the destination we're heading for is unknown for me… And don't yell like that!'

'Sorry, this room just keeps getting creepier with every single second I'm in here. It's like listening to the sounds of The Wall!'

'Just follow me.'

Meanwhile in Radiator Springs

'You're sure you want to do this?'

'Mind you, I've already done it. I just wanted to let you all know,' answered Sarge to the startled townsfolk.

'But that's too risky for them! Are you aware of what danger you're putting them into?' Sally objected.

'And are you aware that if they are endangered and we don't do something about this they might die just because of our recklessness?' Sarge uttered adamantly.

'Well, I know you know what you're doing. I just hope it works out,' Sally supported Sarge, 'After all, calling your friends from the American military to help Holley and Mater out is quite risky; particularly, without them knowing.'

'They're nifty, don't worry, Sally. They know what to do in every kind of perfidious or perilous situation. And I'm also arriving at that place, the helicopter ought to be here very soon.'

'Sarge,' Flo came out of the crowd of the townsfolk, 'I'd just like to tell you that if you don't survive this, you've always been a great friend for me and all of us. And if you do survive, then this will be the greatest accomplishment of your life. Anyhow, you'll always be a great and plucky hero for each of us.'

'Thanks, Flo,' Sarge smiled, 'I appreciate it.'

'Oh, Sarge,' Flo sighed, burst into tears but then out of nowhere she embraced him, 'I'll miss you.'

Sarge didn't answer; he only rubbed his tyres around her. For a moment, everyone realized how close friends they actually had been throughout those long years what created a very mild atmosphere among the cars.

Elsewhere in the ferry

Finn opened his eyes and looked around. Everything around him was blurry, and it took him time to gain focus. He didn't know where he was or how he had got there; he wasn't even sure whether he was still alive. But soon he began to feel pain what put him back into reality.

He tried to feel around but he couldn't move; someone had strapped him. At that moment he began to suspect what had probably happened to him, and the thought he had been fully under the power of the crooks enraged him. It was hard for him to accept that he hadn't managed to cope with their nefarious plan. He'd been successful for so many years and been in many wars but he had always managed to at least get out and survive if he didn't thwart their plans! But now he was just helpless, strapped and was waiting to be killed lying inert.

As he was thinking, out of the blue someone smashed the door and entered the room. It was professor Z.

'Oh, hi, Finn!' he greeted him with irony, 'I was waiting till you wake up. We haven't met in a while, have we? But I do have to say I missed you; I missed you a lot.'

The professor looked closely at Finn's eyes sizing him up. Hatred and desire for retaliation gleamed from his face. Finn, however, remained still and didn't show up any marks of anxiety or rage.

'You know, the last time I saw you was when you tied me up, and turned me in to the police. I was desperate. You had thwarted my marvellous plan to rule the entire world. And … and I hate you for this, Finn. I fucking hate you.'

He took a deep breath and went on: 'So I needed something new, something snazzy, something that could blow your fucking head up and show you the real power of my wrath. Now you might think how I happened to become so powerful upon you and your foolish friends. I know I should be actually torturing you right here until your last breath for what you've done to one of my subordinates, but since I really want you to know my motive before you perish painfully, I'll start now.'

'You and your bloody low lives deserve nothing but rotting in fire for doing all these scarlet crimes to rule the world! But doesn't matter; you all shall rot there sooner or later,' Finn answered savagely but calmly and decisively.

'Maybe you're right. But you'll never see our downfall in your life again. And without you the world is nearly helpless to cope with us! But sorry … you don't even suspect to what extent we rule the world and particularly … C.H.R.O.M.E. And I'm gonna show you how paltry you are, compared to us. So, buckle up and prepare … oh, sorry. You're already buckled up.'

'The whole story started when I escaped from the C.H.R.O.M.E's prison. Don't ask me how; I'm not feeling like explaining that right now. I wanted to slay you and make my vindictiveness, but later my plan expanded. There wasn't just you I wanted to annihilate - but also all of your friends who had humiliated me in London, and lastly … C.H.R.O.M.E. Each of you was supposed to be shattered. But I wouldn't pull that off on my own, so I began to search for new willing accomplices. I didn't have trouble with being accepted, after all the plunder of the crime would be vast. But finding the right accomplice did take up a little bit more than expected; more than half a year. In the end, I made a deal with the Italian mafia. And trust me – they're even more ruthless than Japanese mafia. I brought in the plan of my mutiny, and showed them its consequences, and they agreed and supported me with their best and most soulless guys they had. And … the plan was brought into action.'

'This is gonna be interesting …' Finn thought.

'First, I needed to get you to the place where I wanted you to be. So the guys set up a pretext of slaying some meaningless politicians that would, however, be enough to attract C.H.R.O.M.E's attention and make them send some agents to that area. I would accept anyone who would show from there but, hey presto, I had got very lucky, because you and that tart of yours came to the place. So I sent some from my guys to take care of you. You, Finn, were very lucky, though, because you and that bitch split apart in the hall that night. That is what saved your ass then. Otherwise, you all would've been caught and tortured to death by now.'

Finn remained disillusioned. He couldn't quite believe what he had heard. From that moment he began to realize what huge force he and Holley had been facing in actual fact.

'Of course, I had more back-up plans but then you just seemed to have vanished into thin air. At least we did have Holley whom we kept as a hostage, coz we didn't want her dead without you. You would only make too much ruckus. And now I'll tell you something mind-boggling – we examined her very thoroughly, because when we had captured Leland a year before, one of the guys had happened to find a small piece of metal. Its heritage had been unknown to us but it seemed as something mighty, so I'd fallen to examining it and when I discovered what it'd been I was astonished! You know what it was, don't you? … It was the unique C.H.R.O.M.E. chip special for each field agent of C.H.R.O.M.E. So when I found the exactly same chip in Holley's body we certainly took advantage of it. And since Holley hasn't been pronounced dead with this chip we have virtually all access to all C.H.R.O.M.E's crucial areas. And very soon we shall infiltrate C.H.R.O.M.E and obliterate it together with all your friends! And there's fucking nothing you can do about it!' having said the last sentence, the professor burst into an insane laughter making him look like the impersonated evil.

Finn was startled at the professor's blatant attitude. But the desperation that he was sheer helpless was even worse. After all he had done for the world, the successes he had pulled off he was convicted to die in the hands of those he had been fighting against. Although, the worst was the fact he knew his friends were still in jeopardy, and he couldn't do anything to save them. They were basically his only friends he had ever had, apart from Leland, and they were to perish because of him anyway. His endeavours seemed vain and so did his life.

'And before you taste the taste of death, I have a pal for you to die with. Yes, you both will die together. Bring the hostage in!'

At that moment Finn began to suspect who the hostage was. And his worst nightmares came true; it was Lightning who was to be executed together with Finn.

'What's happening in here?!' Lightning screamed in agony looking for hope in Finn.

'I'm afraid we're going to die, Lightning!'

'C-can't you do something?'

'I wish I could but I've been completely disarmed. Unless a miracle happens, we'll die!'

'It won't!' the professor shouted.

'And now when you know what you were missing all the time, it's time to commence your … execution,' the professor uttered his verdict and pushed the button on one of the panels present in the room. Several magnets tilted from the ambient walls and pointed exactly towards Finn and the other series of magnets pointed towards Lightning.

'As soon as I press this button, these magnets will begin to gradually tear you apart. First, you'll be feeling gnawing pains throughout your entire body. Then the pain will be stoking up and eventually all that'll remain from you is your guts dilated all over those magnets!'

Having finished speaking, the professor didn't hesitate and turned the magnets on. Seeing it, Finn closed his eyes and whispered to himself:

'Leland, here I come.'

Both the cars were slowly dying when out of the blue the magnets shut down and the emergency alarm began to ding throughout the entire ferry shouting: 'Intruder aboard! Intruder aboard! Intruder aboard…!'

'What the heck is happening?!' the professor scowled.

Back at Holley and Mater

'Oh my goodness! This is bad!' Mater began to fear.

'Calm down, Mater! Just calm down! We've been spotted but it's not over yet. We'll just have to be a little bit more cautious. Nothing's over yet, so don't despair.'

'Okay … I'll try to calm down.'

'Good, let's move on. We're close to Finn, and I'm armed so I'll cover you in case of trouble.'

Holley and Mater had been straying in the ferry for more than two hours and it was beginning to be a bushing adventure. And when one of the cars had spotted them and had sent the alarm to the rest of the crooks, the adventure got even more nerve-racking. They'd been trying to follow the GPS grids but it was deceptive as they were occasionally led to dead ways. When they were about 20 metres far from Finn, Mater spotted a car who seemed familiar to him. As he sized him up, he realized it was Jim. He said it to Holley. Holley couldn't believe it but she was up to speak to him personally and sort out the things with him, however Jim noticed them first and spoke to Mater: 'You! Aren't you the one who was at me with Finn in order to save your friend?'

Mater was outraged, and dashed to ram into the car: 'Why did you do it to us? Why did ya betray Finn?! What did he do to you?!'

'Mater,' Holley interjected and pulled fiendish Mater out, 'Calm down. You can't be so emotive. We'll ask him about it but we'll stay cool. Okay?'

'What …' the perplexed car stammered, 'What is that tow truck talking about? Has he gone crazy? What would I do with Finn? I have no reason whatsoever to betray him!'

'Look,' Holley made up the best way to clear everything up, 'I'll tell you what I and Mater have gone through, and what has led us here. Then you'll explain to us what you've gone through. Are we clear?'

'Okay, then,' the car nodded in agreement, 'You first.'

Holley explained swiftly everything. The car couldn't stop shaking his head, and presented his story afterwards:

'Finn, Mater and his military friend … Sarge visited me a few days ago before that mission, because Finn wanted some implants for Mater. I gave them what they had come for and when they left, I stayed at my home for the rest of the evening. I didn't go outside that day.'

'Then how did you get here?'

'I was just going to tell you. That night I was at my house when someone knocked on the door. I asked who it was but I didn't get a response, so I ignored it and went back to my room. Then, just like that someone jemmied the door and smashed it. I was startled but before I could call for help or even realize what had happened, someone from the blokes came to me and put me into sleep holding a tissue saturated with chloroform or something near my nose. I was dead to the world very soon.'

'What happened afterwards?'

'I woke up in this ferry, but I was in a vast room and chained to the nearby wall. Later, a geezer, who resembled a lunatic with a pronounced German accent, came to me and told me some nonsense like how foolish I was, like how I had unwittingly betrayed Finn, and I don't know what else. After three hours of listening to his mindless babbling, I was moved to an else room where I was until now. I managed to escape due to an abrupt alarm informing about intruders … Wait, that's you two!'

'Yes, it is. But you were here all the time since that day Finn had visited you?'

'Yes. I don't know how a car looking exactly like me could do this atrocity, but I swear to God it wasn't me.'

'Good. In that case, the holographic emitter did its job pretty good. But doesn't matter now. We're looking for Finn. Didn't you come across him?'

'No, no, I didn't. But I suspect where he might be as I may have been there already, but I already have a foggy memory about that.'

'Could you get us there? We've been wandering here for two hours. This ferry is a labyrinth.'

'I'll try to. Follow me.'

Back at Finn and Lightning

'Finn, what is going on here?!' terrified Lightning shouted at Finn.

'I don't know! I'm as confounded as you are! But it may be good, since we are still alive,' Finn chuckled trying to make the situation less tense, but it didn't seem to affect Lightning.

The professor had already wandered off leaving both the cars strapped. All of a sudden, someone entered the room, and the person coming from it was … Mater. Finn couldn't believe his eyes, and Lightning was disillusioned even more when he saw that sheepish truck making his way through the door fearlessly. Soon afterwards, Mater was succeeded by Holley and Jim. Holley was the first one to notice Finn and Lightning, and exclaimed: 'Over there!'

When Mater saw his best friends strapped, he felt as if a sharp arrow penetrated his engine. On the one hand, it was pleasant to know they were still alive, on the other one, it was horrifying to see their mangled bodies. He scarcely managed to shout out loud: 'Finn, Lightning, you're alive!', before tears pricked his eyes.

'Mater!' Lightning reciprocated Mater's heartfelt greeting, 'I've never been gladder to see you!'

Mater ran into Lightning, and embraced him ardently. None of them said anything at that moment. The presence of each other was the only that mattered. Holley and Jim, meanwhile, came closer to the cars. When Mater finished hugging Lightning, he looked at Finn. They were both speechless, but non-verbal communication worked perfectly. It was Finn who interrupted that moment praising Mater: 'Mater, I didn't know you were so plucky. I mean I can understand that Holley is here, but you? And what about Jim? Has he understood he'd chosen the wrong side?'

'Actually,' Holley explained, 'Jim's been here in the ferry all the time. He was abducted on the same day you visited him. The car acting like Jim must have been disguised by the holographic emitter.'

'Ah-hah,' Finn nodded, 'In that case, I assume I owe you, Jim, an apology.'

'It's fine,' Jim smiled, 'But now we should unstrap you both now and leave this place, before it's too late.'

In a few minutes, both the cars were freed, and now they just needed to get out of there. Holley was navigating the entire group from the ferry, and this time she was doing better.

Unfortunately, a group of crooks stopped them and seized in one of the halls. The professor came from the crowd laughing: 'Ha-hah! Did you really think you would escape from my claws? You have no idea what power you are facing!' The happy faces of the group embittered swiftly, and no one suspected what to do. Finn had been disarmed, and Holley hadn't had enough experience and courage to do crazy daredevil tricks that could endanger everyone. The game seemed over for them, when out of the blue, a voice coming from a loudspeaker outside dinged throughout the hall: 'You are seized by the US military forces, get out of the ferry!'

The crooks were rather shocked, they didn't seem willing to abide by their orders, and were ready to kill the cars anyway, but soon the shots from various military weapons strafed the ferry paralyzing entirely the professor and his entire crew.

'Quick, come this way!' this time Finn led the group, and due to him, they managed to subdue the crooks. Five minutes later, each member of the group successfully managed to find the exit but … they were at sea.

'Oh! What did we anticipate? The ferry set off when we got to the cabin!' Holley stated sadly. The only safe way to escape was to start yelling at the military helicopters to spot them and save them. And so, the cars shouted for their lives at them. Luckily, they didn't need to yell for too long, as a helicopter noticed them very soon. A few minutes later, everyone was loaded to the helicopter and carried to the safety.

'Is everyone all right?' Holley asked the cars in the helicopter.

'Yeah,' each of them nodded. At last! It was the first time the things were fine, and there was no catch. The only wonder that retained in everyone's mind was who was behind this salvation? Who gave them a hand when they needed it? When the helicopter found them, they were just told to get on, but no one was inside then.

Holley wasn't the exception either, and as she was thinking, she looked outside the window where in another helicopter she spotted Sarge. He descried her too, and seeing her with her mouth agape, he nodded and smiled at her. Holley stopped looking at the window, and looked at all the cars.

'Finn?' Mater spoke to Finn.

'What's on your mind, Mater?' Finn asked him in a friendly and suave way.

'How will I ever repay you for saving my hood out der? I mean ya did something I would never do and …'

'Mater, with the qualities you were given, you have done just as much as I have. You have managed to overwhelm your fear, even when you knew the risk was mortal. You did the same thing I did - you were willing to die to save me. You have already repaid me much more than it was needed, chum,' Finn answered humbly and thumped Mater with his tyre.

'Anyway, thanks, Finn. Thanks for everything. You are a very good friend.' Having said that, both the cars hugged each other, and afterwards looked from the helicopter at the ferry. The military helicopters had already seized it and soldiers were ready to be deployed. But something inexplicable happened. A vast explosion occurred in a ferry destroying everything and killing everybody who was inside it. The ferry was soon completely on fire. Everyone in the helicopter watched the farce in awe.

Two months later

'That's a fancy cross you've got! This is what you were awarded by her majesty?' Flo asked.

'Yeah, it's called Victoria Cross and is given for doing stalwart services for the UK.'

'Well, you did far more than that.'

'Look, I would've been nothing without you, our community of Radiator Springs. You have always been supportive to me, irrespective of the situation.'

'That's what friends do. It's a necessity.'

'So are the deeds I was doing,' Sarge finished and modestly smiled.

Their talk was interrupted by Ramone who had an idea: 'Listen up, please! What if we set up a celebration for our heroes – Sarge and Mater? Plus, Holley and Finn are coming here today, so it might be dedicated to them as well. What do you think, guys?'

'Not a bad idea! We could set something up in Wheel Well Motel!' Sally concurred.

'Yep, and Guido could mix some of his fabled drinks as only he knows!' Luigi reciprocated.

'So does anyone have something against my idea?' Ramone asked. There was silence for a few seconds in town meaning only one thing – the celebration would take place. So the cars commenced the preparations for the celebration.

It was only Sarge who was dissatisfied: 'Where are Finn and Holley?' he growled, 'They were to be here ten minutes ago!'

'Yeah,' Sally giggled, having heard him, 'Regarding the fact, they're both secret agents, they're not very punctual.'

'Hey! Who's gossiping us?!' Finn appeared from behind with Holley smiling, 'I heard we're not punctual. What makes you think so?'

'You're ten minutes late. It's not usual for you to be tardy,' Sarge objected but Finn disagreed: 'Well, I don't know what watch you have, but according to mine which is synchronized with the satellite's information, I'm five minutes in advance!' Having spoken, Finn pulled out his watch showing the time. He was right.

'Sorry. I shouldn't be meddling with a super-secret agent. You know way too much about technologies,' Sarge stated laughing a bit.

'Oh, c'mon, Sarge! It's hard for me to catch up with all these trends too. But Holley is somewhat helping me out with them,' Finn humbly admitted laughing too.

'I hate to interrupt you both,' Holley interjected, 'But do you have any idea where Mater is?'

'He's in the impound. You know we've decided to set up the celebration. Hope that's not a problem for you,' Sarge answered.

'No, not at all! At least I'll have more time to while with my boyfriend! Right now I'm craving to see him!' Holley laughed and left. Finn and Sarge remained alone.

'Eh, it would be good if everyone was congregated here, because I have news about the crooks,' Finn explained, 'The explosion was caused by a suicidal person. Belike, it was the professor himself, as we all know he was always whacko. We have also investigated the situation thoroughly, and it turns out there was everyone from the crooks who was against you. We haven't found anyone else who's suspicious.'

'Does it mean we're definitely safe now?'

'Yes. We'll keep the C.H.R.O.M.E. patrols in here for a week or two, just in case. But it's alright. Neither me nor Holley have found a reason to fear.'

'Good, I'll let them know, don't worry,' Sarge assured Finn. Then he changed the topic, 'You know, I somewhat envy Holley. She's happily in love with a boyfriend who loves her chivalrously, and they both treat each other respectfully.'

'Look, we are not meant to get married. We're not that kind of men. Our wives are our countries who we are willing to die for. Your wife is the USA, mine is the UK. Doesn't this fulfil you?'

'Yeah, it does. But sometimes I secretly wish to meet a woman of my dreams who I could spend the rest of my life with.'

'So do I. But it's never too late. You could still find the woman of your dreams.'

Sarge didn't say anything. He was about to leave, when Luigi dashed into them exclaiming jocularly: 'I just got a call from Toppolino! He said hello to me and yes, he's alright!'

'Toppolino? That uncle of yours from Italy?' Sarge asked in bewilderment.

'Yeah, him! When I heard the news about abducted Holley a few days ago, I was a bit concerned about him,' Luigi explained.

'Oh, that's fine, then!' Finn stated smiling.

'It's marvellous! But now I have to go as I want to spread this news to everyone in town! See you!'

'Just take it easy, Luigi,' Sarge snickered.

That evening in Wheel Motel

All the cars were rejoicing, and each of them was having a whale of time. Guido was mixing his best beverages, whilst Flo was busy serving the guests as well (she deputized for Mater). Sheriff, Finn, Sarge, Fillmore, Ramone and Luigi were playing their favourite board game – Texas Holdem poker. The pairs of lovebirds – Lightning with Sally, and Mater with Holley had a very romantic evening that strengthened a lot the bonds between each other. It was only Lizzie, who had decided not to attend, as she didn't feel like partying, after all she was rather old for it.

The party lasted until late night. Afterwards, Finn went outside and had some time alone. The night was lovely and silent. He could easily hear grasshoppers chirping in the grass. Whilst listening, he was thinking of everything that had been happening. He found it quite a miracle that he was actually still alive. He was even playing with the thought to quit his secret agent career after this, but very soon he realized being an agent was a passion that had been fulfilling him, and that had meant his life. When he finished thinking, he tried to absorb the quietness of the place, so he closed his eyes and relaxed.