by Daniel Evora
Matthews went into his Interface watch and called up the headquarters.
“Chris,” Matthews said into the watch. “Chris, can you hear me?”
There was a small period of time where there was nothing, but then something came through.
“Yeah, I hear you,” Chris replied in relief. “Are you alright?”
“Sort of,” Matthew answered while glancing at his remaining squad. “Look, we made it to Nipton. But, it was a trap; they saw us coming. Ben’s been transferred somewhere else.”
“What?!” Chris blurted, “Where?”
“We don’t know, but it couldn’t be that far from Nipton,” Matthews informed Chris. “Have you heard from Nate’s group?”
“Not recently, but I did receive a Rebel distress signal from somewhere called Wen Springs. I’ve decided to come with you along with my personal troops to help you.
“Alright sounds like a...wait, Wensprings, you mean the abandoned Area 49?” Matthews asked. He checked the layout of the tracks.
“What is that noise, are you on a train?” Chris added.
“Affirmative,” Matthews responded. Suddenly, Matthews could hear the faint noise of tiny shouting. The sound was subtle, but he looked in front of him anyway. He watched as the Silents were atop of the cars, gaining on their position!
“Matthews, are you still there?” Chris asked worryingly.
“Yeah, we’ve got a bit of a problem,” Matthews explained, while reloading his rifle. He shouted out to his people, barely overcoming the sound of the train. “We’ve got company. Take cover.”
Matthews went to switch off the call and solely focused on the battle at hand. The Silents instantly shot at him and his group. He ducked for cover and blindy shot towards the enemy while slowly advancing his squad.
“We have to get to the front of the train!” he ordered.
The entire squadron lifted their weapons and fired upon every Death trooper in sight. Some of them fell off to the sides and towards the ground. There were a couple of slightly empty cars with flat platforms. Luckily, the train wasn’t miles long and only about eighteen cars or so as Matthews quickly counted them in his head while the train took a turn on the track.
The crew got to the roof of a reinforcements car. Suddenly, an alarm went off on the train. Each of us ran off the roof to the next car which was fortunately a flat surface. However, when they got to the next car. Matthews’ could hear the reinforcements' car opening up from the creaking of the metal hinges.
“Crap,” Matthews panicked. “Everyone, get to cover.”
“Aw crap,” Fraser whispered to herself.
Her reaction was completely justified. They started shooting rapidly towards the Silents. But then, a tall trooper in heavy, bulky armor approached the car with a huge machine gun. Their helmet was completely armored with steel plates that covered nearly all of the face, and spiked shoulderpads. His steps made a thumping noise, and he swung his weapon around and fired while standing still. Matthews’ and Fraser instantly ducked, but Fraser was hit in the arm.
“Fraser, you alright?” Matthews shouted over the sound of the machine gun firing.
Fraser looked at the wound, “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
“Dammit, it’s a Juggernaut!” Matthews explained frustratingly, while trying to blindy fire at the rest of the Silent Death troopers.
“Have you ever taken one out?” Fraser asked me.
“No. You either run or die!”
“Well, that’s reassuring,” Fraser sarcastically stated.
“Look, we just gotta wait until his gun heats up. It’s gonna stall, so that’s our opening,” Matthews’ informed her.
“I hope you're right,” Fraser replied.
The plan went as normal. The Juggernauts machine gun eventually heated up to the point where it stalled and needed time to cool down. The Juggernaut lifted the weapon and Matthews’ and another Rebel charged onto the big soldier. However, the Juggernaut dropped the weapon and flailed a huge, blunt, sledgehammer. It was powered by two small rockets for a faster and more lethal strike. He swung onto the man next to Matthews’ and he flew right off the side of the train.
Matthews’ tried to stab the man through one of the weak spots. The man winced and punched Matthew’s with his armored fist, causing Matthews to fly backwards for a small moment and back onto the train. He grunted in pain, and noticed an unloaded rocket launcher. He picked it up as Fraser went to him.
“You okay?” Fraser asked with a frown, while helping Matthews up.
“We gotta detach those cars before he catches us,” Matthews explained.
The rest of the crew, which only made up nine people now, jogged to the next car. Suddenly, the Juggernaut began to charge with a heavy shotgun! The intimidating sounds of his steps and the charging scream put fear into Matthews.
“Cut it!” Matthews ordered one of his troops.
The soldier planted a small explosive at the metal attachment. Since, they were designed not to be detached to avoid losing supplies from potential attackers such as Matthews’ group--it was the only workaround. It snapped and the rest of the cars behind started to slow down. But, then the Juggernaut jumped over the gap! His weight caused the train to jump up and off the tracks! The car dragged at an angle across the tracks. Matthews looked around and saw a rolling missile for the launcher in his hands. He picked it up, while the Juggernaut stomped towards him like a tank. He got closer and closer while Matthews shaking hands dropped the missile into the barrel. The Juggernaut brought out his sledgehammer as Matthews lay there on the ground aiming at him.
“Hey, big guy,” Matthews smirked. “Smile for the picture.”
Matthews fired the launcher as the missile knocked the Juggernaut off the train sending him flying along with the missile. Matthews grabbed the sledge that fell out of the Juggernauts metal arms, however, the rockets were unfortunately broken. The heavy trooper hit the surface in a massive explosion resulting in the detached train car to flip over and come raining down debris from the sky.
“Crap! Run!” Matthews yelled, while getting up and off his feet.
The entire squadron fled from the storm of debris and flipped cars gaining on their position. The rest of them detached as Matthews lagged behind a bit as everyone jumped to safety. The gap got bigger and bigger as Matthews ran as fast as his legs could carry him and leaped onto the edge of the car. But, he circled his arms as he began to lean over and fall. However, in the nick of time,Fraser grabbed his arm and pulled him up to safety as well. Just like that, twelve cars were gone like that.
Matthews leaned over on his knees, gasping for air.
“Thanks,” he said to Fraser.
“Please don’t do that again,” she responded.
Finally, Matthews stood up and called Chris again.
“Matt, what happened, you switched off your call?” Chris asked as soon as Matthews got a hold of him. He sounded a bit annoyed.
Matthews turned to the mess behind him, “Well, we took a Juggernaut.”
“You’re lucky to be alive,” Chris said in shock.
“Yeah, but we’re only nine outta thirteen now,” Matthews informed him. “We’re about to take over the train.”
“Alright,” Chris answered. “Take the train and my squad and I will help you out. Just stay alive, okay?”
“Roger that, commander,” Matthews smiled, and turned off the call.
As soon as they got onto the second car. Matthews halted his soldiers with the raising of his right fist, and jumped down towards the front car, where the driver wasn’t present. Matthews peeked over only to be met with gunfire, as a bullet ricocheted off the corner of which Matthews stood. He fired back and charged forward into the driver’s domain, and yanked the weapon from the now scared driver.
“Get back in your seat!” Matthews demanded waving his gun in front of the driver.
The driver just stood there for a moment.
Matthews shot off target from the man as he jumped f
rom the sudden sound. His hands trembled as he put them up in the air. His eyes widened.
“Now!” Matthews shouted, while he pointed the gun towards the driver’s seat.
The man stepped back and put the throttle down back to normal. He was probably going to jump ship and make the train crash. The crew tied his legs to the chair using rope and whatever they had at the moment.
“Get us to Wen Springs,” Fraser explained to the driver. “Stop there and you’ll be free to go.”
The driver slightly nodded and increased the throttle by only small increments, and the train continued on the track.
...
Later...
“He hasn’t said a word since,” Max explained to Thomas “Nate’s just broken, he’s lost it more than any of us.”
Nathan had been sitting in the corner of their cell for hours. Complete silence that you would think he’d died. Adrana had killed his fighting spirit, and his hope had gone.
Max walked over to him. “Hey. Nate, you alright?”
No response.
“You need to talk to me.”
Nate lifted his head. His face demented, heavy, while he frowned.
“I don’t need to tell you shit.”
Max shut his mouth and inhaled. “Being angry isn’t going to help anything.”
“You don’t know what I’m feeling right now. Do you know what it feels like to have your best friend become--that? To have them humiliate you in the way she did?” Nate said, with a trembling voice.
Max stared at Nate for a minute, after he had said that. His face scrunched up, and his eyes widened.
Perplexed. He sat down a few feet away from him. Sitting up against the opposite wall of the cellar.
“Of course I do,” Max responded. “I had to leave my friends, too. Well, I didn’t have to. I chose to. Because--”
“You felt as if you had no other choice,” Nate interjected, while looking up at Max.
Max slowly nodded.
“You’re wrong.”
“What?”
“There’s always a choice.”
Max shook his head. “But, Nate, you can’t force that on anyone.”
“I’m not forcing her, I just don’t want her to become a monster. I care too much to standby and do nothing about it!” Nate stood up and raised his voice.
“I once felt the same as you do, but...it’s her choice. Not yours.”
“I’m still gonna convince her,” Nate commanded, straight faced looking down upon Max. “Whether you like it or not.”
“All I ask is that you list--”
Suddenly, there was a huge shake and a loud noise. It sounded like gunfire from another room in the building. The entrance to the holding cell was being pried open as they could hear the people on the other side. The hinges broke, and the doors swung open. To Nathan’s surprise, it was Matthews and his squad. However, Christopher had come along as well.
“Chris, what are you doing here?” Thomas asked, his eyes widened. “Aren’t you supposed to be back with the rebels?”
“Terra’s got it covered,” Chris answered, unlocking our cell. “Right now, we gotta get outta here.”
“C’mon, Nate, let’s go!” Lily commanded. Nate stood up, but did not reply.
“Reinforcements will be here any moment now!” Matthews said, blocking the entrance. “That’ll buy us a bit of time.”
“Why didn’t you guys go to Nipton like we agreed?” Thomas asked Matthews.
“We weren’t gonna just leave you guys behind!” Matthews exclaimed. “Besides, Ben isn’t in Nipton anymore.”
“What?!” replied Thomas, Lily, and Chris.
“Well, then where is he?” asked Chris.
“No time now! Run!” Matthews yelled. The doors swung open moments later as the group was being shot at.
“Alright, genius!” Nate shouted, out of breath. “Where to?!”
“Onto the train!” he answered straight while pointing in its direction. “Fraser, start it up.”
Fraser, scouting about in the front seat of the train, pulled the throttle lever slightly just to get the train moving slow enough for them to catch up with it. The wheels squeaked on the metal rails as it crept its way out of the station. The eight cars that were left jolted and began moving as well. Meanwhile, Nate, Matthews, and the others hopped onto the middle car, where they had space
“Where are we going?!” Nate yelled at Matthews. The train finally began to pick up the pace.
“They’re taking him to the Phoenix Post,” Matthews replied.
“That’s suicide!” Chris argued. “With our numbers we won’t stand a chance!”
“It’s our only option!”
Chapter 8
Freight Escape
Adrana and her men watched as the train drifted away like a speedster. Some of the soldiers tried running after the train, but failed as well. Some were dead from the shooting that took place only moments before. Attempting to hide her exhaustion by heavily breathing through her nose, Adrana put her face up to her InterFace watch and switched to her channel to speak directly to Adam.
Although she couldn’t see him through the watch this time, she knew that he would be frustrated to some extent from their escape. So, Adrana treaded carefully on the thin ice.
“An update, Adrana?” questioned Adam with a gentle tone.
“Those rebels are onto us. They know where Ben is,” explained Adrana, still angered by the loss. Adam caught notice of it and decided to switch tones as he sighed.
“The rebels escaped? Well, I was on my way to you, but change of plans.”
“I think I have an idea,” added Adrana. She looked back out at the railroad.
The sun beamed out in the late morning air. Almost near noon. The sky was clear and the wind rushed on our faces as our hair flew with it. The train went faster and faster on the metal tracks. Most of the loud noise was coming from the friction the bottom of the heavy train made against the smooth track.
We ran up the cars until we made it to the front engine car where Fraser was looking ahead and gradually pushing forward onto the throttle lever. She turned to us as soon as she heard us coming towards her position.
“How are we doing?” Matthews asked, as he opened the driver door.
“We’re cruising at a good speed for now,” explained Fraser. “I need someone else
to help me drive the train.”
“What do you mean?” Lily questioned.
“I’m asking if anyone knows the ins and outs of this thing,” blurted Fraser, she glared at each of us. “Anyone?”
Each of us looked at each other and at the same time shrugged. Matthews didn’t know. Lily didn’t know. Chris didn’t know. I didn't even know. But, we were certain, for the most part, who might have some knowledge on it. In a synched moment of realization, all of us glanced at Max, who noticed right away, and stared back while shaking his head.
“Hey, just because I said I’m a pilot doesn’t mean I can drive anything,” joked Max.
“You’ve had training though, right?” I queried.
“If you wanna call eight weeks: training,” sighed Max. “But, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Alright, we better get moving then,” Chris ordered as we followed him back to the second car.
The entire group including myself got behind cover and I laid the barrel of my rifle on the surface of the supply box I was hiding behind and focused down on the iron sight. Everybody else followed in a similar fashion.
“We don’t have long until they come shooting us down,” informed Chris. “Stay focused.”
We waited.
And waited.
And kept waiting.
One minute passed.
Two minutes.
Nothing?
Nothing came from behind us. No convoy of vehicles or drones to take us out from the top. My adrenaline faded away, so I eased off the sight on my barrel and started to look around at everyone else in that same awkward position
. Matthews looked like he was staring off into space; squinting his eyes. I approached him.
“Matthews? Are you--”
“Quiet!” he declared. Lifting his palm in the direction of my face.
“Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
Matthews shushed me once more and stood up while walking towards the right side of the flat car. That’s when I heard it, too. A faint noise that tickled my ear drum in my left ear. It got easier to hear as I focused my mind on it. Almost as if every sound stepped aside to give way to this mysterious tune. It took me three times to hear until the noise made my brain click.
Matthews reached the other side of the car and looked out into the distance with only his eyes. He put his hand over his eyes and he was in a state of shock. I looked in the same direction and saw exactly what he was seeing.
For a second I stopped and stared at the incoming object. For the first time, Matthews and I glared at each other in a second. He reached for his communications device in his ear and pressed on the top button.
“Guys,” Matthews confessed on the channel. “We’ve got a problem.”
The noise made itself known once more and it was clearer than it ever was. As the train cars rode smoothly along the tracks, everyone got up from their cover in response to Matthews’ recent transmission. Each of them turned to the right side as well and they all heard the same noise as Matthews and I.
Another train horn. Roaring in the distance.
The other train matched the speed of ours so that it looked like it wasn’t moving at all relative to us. Christopher made a break for the front engine as soon as his eye caught the attention of the train moving in the distance. He broke into the front engine car as the door swung open and slammed against the wall with a bit of force. Fraser and Max caught attention to Chris barging inside and swiveled around instantly.
“What’s going on?” Fraser questioned.
“Look,” pointed out Chris. Fraser turned in the same direction.
“No, no, no, no,” sputtered Fraser. “Max, is there a map of the tracks somewhere on this thing?”
