“Parker! Don’t wait around for a stupid investigation to finish. Take some initiative and have your DNA tested,” Malcolm declared.
Reb was apprehensive. “I’m afraid of the results.”
“But you need to know the truth at some point,” Malcolm protested.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Reb admitted.
Giles tried to control his frustration. “Look, this entire situation is out of our hands. I want answers, but this isn’t the time to become impatient. Parker is already heading back to Texas, so we shouldn’t argue about it now. We just need to wait for the results.”
Everyone in the group looked at each other in a moment of awkward silence.
Meanwhile, a group of bandits had been watching the train station from a small hill. A scruffy bandit, wearing a cowboy hat, had seen Remy’s group through a telescope. He folded the telescope and spat out a piece of chewing tobacco. The scruffy bandit was a renowned fugitive and thief, Dusty Shields.
“This is the train we need to attack. It has the right people on it,” Dusty said to his group of criminals.
Dusty’s assistant, Nicklaus Coen, was curious. “Who’s the target?”
“We need to aim for Remy Lafayette’s car. Those passengers might be valuable,” Dusty responded.
The bandits were a crude bunch of men who had adopted elements from the Wild West. Most of the bandits in Dusty’s group wore cowboy hats and boots. They were also armed with pistols and lassos. Unlike the gunslingers in the original Wild West, Dusty’s gang rode ATVs, Jeeps, pickup trucks, and motorcycles.
“We’ve been planning this day for a long time,” Nicklaus said with an evil grin.
Dusty paced in front of his group. “All right, you guys know the plan. We’ve been reviewing it for months. After the train leaves the station, we’re going to follow it and ambush the Steampunks when the locomotive runs deep into the prairie. We don’t want to attack the train near a major city. Otherwise, the police will catch us right away. This is the day when we step out of the shadows and become a huge force, nationwide.”
“How do you know the plan will work?” one of the bandits questioned.
Dusty impatiently replied, “I’ve been surviving in the background since the Apocalypse almost destroyed civilization. It was absolute chaos. The American economy nearly collapsed. Hospitals were inundated with wounded and dying people. People stole every resource they could find to survive. Crime went sky high because the police couldn’t keep track of everything. All of us are survivors who can handle a dystopian world. Taking over a simple train should be easy. Now, prepare for our master plan.”
The thugs chatted with each other while they prepared for the siege. After the train departed from the station, the bandits started their vehicles. They quickly descended the hill and followed the steam-powered locomotive.
Chapter 8
Savannah conversed with Parker to try and make him feel appreciated.
“What do you enjoy for fun? I’m sure you have some favorite hobbies?” Savannah queried.
Parker answered, “I play a lot of video games. First person shooter games are my favorite. I’m also really good at sports. Soccer and baseball are a lot of fun.”
Remy chimed in the conversation, “I used to play a lot of soccer and baseball too. Enjoy it while you’re still young. It gets harder when your body ages. What else do you enjoy?”
“I like going to the movies. Actions movies are really cool!” Parker replied.
Claude looked at Remy. “You’re bonding pretty well with this boy. I didn’t realize you had a soft spot for kids.”
“Well, I have two grown daughters. I was never fortunate enough to raise a son. Maybe I’ll marry a younger woman and start another family,” Remy speculated.
Savannah was amused. “You had two girls? I have enough trouble with only one daughter. Girls are drama.”
Priscilla raised her hand. “I agree with that. One girl is enough for me too!”
“Actually, I liked raising our daughter,” Percy countered.
Gable agreed with his father. “Yeah, I don’t think girls are so terrible.”
“That’s because both of you spoil them,” Savannah said, with a snarky attitude.
Flynn shook his head. “This entire conversation makes me glad that I don’t have kids. No offense, Parker. Let me give you a word of advice; never get married or have kids. You’ll always have your freedom as a bachelor.”
Parker was confused. “Thanks, I guess.”
Meanwhile, Dusty’s gang rode through the prairie and pursued the train. Dusty adjusted his earpiece while he sat in the bed of a pickup truck. “Keep your earpieces in place. It’s our only means of communication during this pursuit! We’re a safe distance from the train station now! It’s time for all of you to activate the combustion engines, so we can catch the train! Make sure you hunt down the right targets! If anyone gets in your way, kill them! Hit the engines!”
The entire gang punched specific buttons that activated turbo-charged engines, sending their vehicles zooming across the landscape at a remarkable speed. Dusty and the bandits moved closer to the train and swarmed next to the right side.
Gable looked out the window and saw the rogues. “It’s the bandits that Reb mentioned! Should we call the police?”
Remy dismissed the idea. “Nonsense. We see bandits almost every day in Oklahoma. They might be troublemakers, but those pesky thugs wouldn’t be stupid enough to attack a Steampunk train.”
“Bandits? Like in the Wild West?” Parker wondered out loud.
“Yes, but I don’t want you to worry about it. A lot of people take influences from earlier cultures, including the Steampunks,” Percy replied.
Dusty carefully stood up on the truck while his minions drove closer to the train. He quickly leaped onto the conductor’s car.
The conductor was startled. “Who are you? Get out of here!”
Dusty pulled out his pistol. “Shut up!”
He shot the conductor’s neck with a poisonous dart. The conductor immediately struggled to breathe as his veins turned purple. He slumped to the floor and died. Dusty shoved the conductor’s body out of the car, and then he communicated through his headpiece.
“I have control of the conductor’s car! Seize the train quickly before the FBI sends a helicopter to rescue these people!” Dusty commanded.
The bandits drew their pistols and fired at the train’s windows. Glass shattered and alarmed the passengers, who shielded themselves from the sharp debris. Some of the bandits tossed smoke bombs through the broken windows. Smoke infiltrated the entire train and disoriented the Steampunks.
“What’s going on?” Flynn asked, coughing.
“Obviously, we’re being attacked! I guess those bandits were more ambitious than we anticipated!” Priscilla growled, as she waved away the smoke.
Savannah tried to protect Parker and instructed, “Close your eyes!”
Parker coughed and asked, “What’s going to happen to us?”
“Don’t worry about it! You just need to be brave!” Savannah insisted.
Nicklaus rode shotgun in a Jeep, holding a special type of tablet. “I’m going to hack into the train’s security system with this program! All of the doors should automatically unlock! Hop on the train and let’s let those Steampunks know that we’re in charge!”
The bandits found various places to infiltrate the train. Some of them jumped on ladders that were located on the passenger cars. Nicklaus quickly hacked into the train’s security system, and then the doors unlocked as he expected. The terrorists opened several doors on the passenger cars and stormed their targets. A few of the bandits grabbed the windowsills and climbed inside. The others rode alongside the locomotive and waited for their companions.
While the assailants broke into the train, several Steampunks stood up and armed themselves with weapons. The bandits fired poisonous darts at them and fatally struck some of their opponents. The poisoned Steampunks
gagged and fell on the floor. Other passengers saw the results and cowered from their invaders.
Another bandit jumped into the conductor’s car and shouted, “I can take the controls!”
“Good! Make sure that you don’t let anyone enter the conductor’s car! We need to stay in control of this train! I have a task to finish! Keep your earpiece handy so I can give you instructions!” Dusty demanded.
The bandit leader entered the first passenger car and drew his gun.
Percy submissively raised his hands in the air. “Don’t shoot at us! What do you want?”
“Let’s just say that we have business to cover,” Dusty said in a menacing tone.
Chapter 9
Back at the ranch, Beauregard glanced at the living room’s television and noticed a breaking news report.
“Guys, didn’t Percy and everybody else take a train this morning?” Beauregard asked in a panic.
“Yes. Why do you ask?” Reb asked, in a perplexed tone.
Beauregard pointed to the television.
The news reporter on the screen explained the details. “A gang of bandits appears to be attacking a train that’s traveling from Oklahoma City to Dallas. The authorities believe the group’s leader is notorious outlaw, Dusty Shields. He is one of the most wanted and dangerous fugitives in all of Oklahoma. The current condition of the train and its passengers are unknown, but bystanders are encouraged not to interfere. At this time, the authorities are trying to find the best and safest solution. We’ll update this story with additional information as it becomes available.”
The foursome felt dread wash over their bodies.
“It might not be them,” Malcolm muttered.
Reb snapped at him, “Of course it’s their train! Knowing our luck, those bandits are targeting my family! It seems like the Nelsons are public enemy number one for terrorists!”
“I don’t think losing your temper is going to help. We can’t do anything to help them from here. The train is miles away,” Beauregard stated.
Giles countered with, “You underestimate our resources. The four of us can load up with weapons and follow the train. There’s only one train station that dispatches Steampunk locomotives from Oklahoma City to Dallas. It’s a direct path that we can easily find.”
“Do you have a death wish? The news reporter said people need to stay away from the problem,” Malcolm insisted.
“We’re Steampunks. Inferior misfits like those bandits can’t match us when we have the right strategy and resources. We’re the dominant species. It’s time to make regular humans understand their place,” Giles roughly explained.
Reb sighed. “We’re wasting too much time. Let’s grab our weapons and get out of here. You guys need to be ready for a fight. It’s going to be ugly.”
Meanwhile, Dusty and his bandits took control of the train. Savannah shielded Parker from their captors.
Remy bravely stood up. “I’m not afraid of you. Those bullets from your Wild West gun won’t make a difference. Clearly, you don’t know much about Steampunks.”
Dusty shot a poisonous dart into Remy’s neck. The politician grabbed his neck and choked. His veins turned purple and pulsated until he fell to the floor. The other Steampunks in the car were horrified.
“On the contrary. I’ve learned quite a bit about your culture through the years. You’re virtually bulletproof. It doesn’t help if anyone tries to hit you with blunt objects either. However, you have some weaknesses. Those pirates did a good job with their exploding gunpowder. Personally, I prefer poison. Metal splicing doesn’t protect you from toxins,” Dusty said, as he aimed his gun at the remaining passengers.
Percy found the courage to speak. “I thought you might be here for Remy Lafayette, but I was obviously mistaken. Do you want money?”
Dusty laughed. “That’s a stereotype. Everybody thinks bandits like robbing trains. I’ll explain everything to you momentarily.”
Elsewhere, Reb hurried downstairs from the bedroom, wearing a different outfit. She switched from her Victorian clothing to an ensemble that was influenced by the Wild West. Reb wore a blouse, vest, cowboy hat, tights, cowboy boots, a leather belt with stirrups, and grafted gloves. She stuffed a pistol in her holster and grabbed her baton.
Giles chose an outfit that complimented his wife’s clothing. He changed into a long sleeve button-front shirt, vest, cowboy hat, denim jeans, cowboy boots, and his favorite utility belt.
“Okay, we need to be smart about this ambush. We’re completely outnumbered and the train is full of innocent bystanders, including my relatives. I want us to surprise the bandits and infiltrate the train. If we’re going to shoot at anybody, our aim needs to be one hundred percent accurate or we might kill civilians,” Reb instructed.
Malcolm armed a shotgun. “I think this plan is insane, but we’ve survived terrorist attacks before.”
Giles loaded several items in a satchel and then slung it over his shoulder. “Honestly, invincibility is just a state of mind. Everybody needs to have their cell phone. I’m also bringing my tablet, which can show us a map and provide other useful resources. We should also have some emergency supplies in this bag.”
“Good idea. But ready or not, we need to leave,” Reb insisted.
They exited the house and carried their weapons to her Jeep.
“Reb and I are going to sit in the back. Malcolm, you’re riding shotgun. Beau, we need you to drive,” Giles firmly stated.
Beauregard protested, “Shouldn’t Reb drive? It’s her Jeep.”
Reb hopped in the backseat. “You and Malcolm need to stay in the vehicle while the two of us invade the train. We need backup and a getaway plan. Sorry, but it’s the safer deal for you.”
Beauregard groaned and took her keys. “I hate living in a Post-Apocalyptic nation. It seems like people are trying to kill us every day.”
“Get used to it. I don’t think it’s going to improve anytime soon,” Giles remarked.
The group clambered into Reb’s Jeep and prepared for another adventure.
Malcolm pulled out Giles’ tablet and examined the navigational system. “Even with this roadmap, I don’t understand how we’re going to catch a steam-powered train. Your Jeep can’t travel that fast.”
Reb confidently replied, “You don’t have much faith in my prized vehicle. Beau, start the engine and head in the right direction. You’ll see what happens.”
“Fine with me,” Beauregard said, and he turned over the engine.
They drove out of the driveway and left the ranch.
Malcolm did not feel hopeful as the Jeep puttered across the ground. “Yeah, we might hit forty miles per hour. We’ll catch that train in a heartbeat.”
“No peanut gallery! Put those goggles on because you’re going to need them,” Reb scolded.
Back on the train, Dusty explained his plan to the hostages. “I need a brilliant person who can help my team. Percy, I think you would be an excellent candidate.”
Percy tried to suppress his fear. “What could I possibly do to help you? I don’t understand your motivation.”
“We can discuss the matter in private. I need you to come with me. There’s an escape vehicle waiting for us,” Dusty responded.
Gable snapped at the bandit leader, “You can’t kidnap my father! There’s enough Steampunks on this train to stop you!”
Dusty aimed his pistol directly at Gable. “You’re absolutely right, but I have enough poisonous ammunition to kill everyone in this car.”
Percy chose to cooperate. “Okay! I’ll go with you! Leave my family alone and I’ll do whatever you want!”
“Good choice. We’re going to walk further into the train. Our getaway vehicle is waiting for us. If anyone from this car follows us, they’re dead,” the terrorist leader threatened.
Dusty led Percy out of the passenger car. Savannah tried not to sob while she held tightly to Parker.
“Is Grandpa going to be okay?” Parker timidly asked.
“I don’t know,” Savannah honestly answered.
Gable tried to remain positive. “We’ll bring him back. I just need to figure out a plan.”
Flynn argued with, “Are you crazy? You’ll get us killed!”
“I agree with Flynn. Look at what that bandit did to Remy,” Claude griped.
“You can’t trust terrorists. They might try to kill us anyway. We need to find a way to fight back. It’s just tricky because these bandits are using poison against us,” Priscilla explained.
Gable thought about it a moment, then said, “There must be a way to rescue Dad. We just need enough time and the right resources.”
Chapter 10
Beauregard drove Reb’s Jeep further away from the ranch.
“We need to avoid major streets, traffic, and incorporated areas. Make sure we take the back road that runs past the train station,” Giles instructed.
Malcolm watched the tablet’s map. “I see what you’re talking about. We need to hang a left up this dirt road. Are you trying to avoid traffic? Otherwise, I don’t understand why we’re driving in this direction.”
Reb hung tightly onto to her baton. “We don’t want to run into obstacles. You’ll see what I’m talking about. Beau, do you see a red button next to the ignition?”
“Yeah, but I don’t understand its significance,” Beauregard commented.
“Punch it and you’ll find out. Everybody, hang on tight!” Reb warned.
Beauregard was leery, but he followed her instructions anyway. “All right, here we go.”
He pressed the red button, activating a turbo-charged combustion engine. The Jeep suddenly launched across the landscape at an alarming speed. Beauregard maintained a vice-grip like hold on the steering wheel while he struggled to keep the Jeep under control. Malcolm and Beauregard screamed, as they all flew across the prairie.
Giles tightened his goggles. “Screaming like little girls isn’t very masculine. Just think of it as a casual stroll through the prairieland.”
“We’re going to crash and die! I can’t handle a vehicle at this speed!” Beauregard shouted.
The Post-Apocalyptic Society: A Nelson and Hyde Revolution Page 28
