The Amtrak Wars: Blood River

by Patrick Tilley

  Drawing the top fur blanket over her shoulders, she brought her breasts to within reach of his eager mouth then, hooking her feet inside his calves to force his legs apart, she slid her body downwards until the moist lips of her vagina came to rest against his stiffening penis. Steve felt her firm thighs close round him.

  Hhooo-hhoooo-hhooo! Ohh, Sweet Sky-Mother .. !

  Clearwater silenced him with another devouring kiss that left his mouth and roamed over his face and neck. It was as if she was trying to eat him alive.

  Steve responded in kind, his hands roving up and down her spine, into the cleft between her buttocks then back up over her hips and slim waist to touch the sweetly curving sides of her breasts.

  ‘Hold me!’ she whispered fiercely.

  He locked his arms against her spine, and held her tightly.

  ‘Harder!’ she begged. ‘Tighter!’

  They lay cheek to cheek, locked together from head to toe. Her thighs continued their gentle massage, squeezing rhythmically against the pulsing beat of the blood surging through his body. Steve could feel her sex quivering as it sought to embrace him. Burning. Melting. Dissolving into one. Delicious. Unbearable.

  She put her lips to his ear. ‘Now, Cloud-Warrior! Nowl Oh, oh, ohhh! My love! My Golden One! Quickly! We have so little time!’

  In that brief glorious moment when his brain exploded like a supernova, Steve also had a blinding revelation. He had coupled with two women, not one. Roz had been inside his head from the moment of penetration and she had played a dual role – merging with Steve’s psyche to become the male partner in the sexual act and, at the same time, the mental projection of her own female psyche had superimposed itself on Clearwater’s half of the action.

  Put into blunt Trail-Blazer language, she had screwed both of them simultaneously. Not just in her mind, but with her mind.

  Steve knew he wasn’t imagining things. This wasn’t inspired by any feelings of guilt or betrayal. Roz had been there. But not as a jealous rival. There had been no anger. Desire, yes. A burning physical need to be held in a warm embrace, to merge together as one, but above all, transforming and elevating the whole experience, was an overwhelming feeling of love. Of sharing. Of understanding.

  And in that same lightning-strike of illumination Steve also realized Roz was physically within reach. She was here. On the overground. Aboard an approaching wagon-train. Red River …

  Steve and Clearwater lay in each other’s arms, their legs entwined, their loins still inflamed with the sweet fever. Clearwater’s head nestled in his shoulder. She brushed her lips against his neck then whispered: ‘She was here, wasn’t she?’

  ‘Yes… But—’

  She sealed his lips. ‘You don’t need to explain. I wanted her to be with us. I called her into my mind and into my body. There is no more hatred. While she was imprisoned beneath the earth her mind was darkened by a cloud of unknowing, But now that has lifted. She knows we are not rivals but soul-sisters. The power that binds you and her binds all of us.’

  ‘But how could –’

  ‘Sshhh! When you are ready, these things will be made known to you.’

  ‘Okay. But what did you mean – “We have so little time”?’

  Clearwater stroked his face then hugged him tightly. ‘Before the dawn, Cloud-Warrior. Before the dawn …’

  As he lay silently watching the cloaked movement of their bodies, Cadillac found himself unable to adopt the objective detachment that was the mark of a true warrior. As the Leader of The Chosen his mind should have been grappling with more lofty concerns; matters of great moment, not the doubtful pleasures of the flesh. But it was precisely the bitter-sweet memory of those pleasures which had been resurrected by his reintroduction to sake. He had been happy in Ne-Issan – until Brickman had come along to spoil everything. Yet again.

  In his present sour mood, Cadillac’s new role, however important that might eventually become, did not compensate being totally deprived of sex and, barring a few last precious mouthfuls, sake. It was the latter which had removed his inhibitions with regard to the former, transforming him from a tenative lover – burdened with secret lusts but tongue-tied by fear of rejection and thus doomed to fail – into a liberated, super-confident cocksman.

  It was ironic that his first love and chosen mate, the child-woman he had grown up with, had been drawn by Fate – and perhaps by an unrequited hunger – into a relationship with a duplicitous slick-tongued adventurer when he, Cadillac De-ville, had finally acquired real standing, had been given a leading role befitting his talents, and was also capable of satisfying her as a man. In triplicate.

  Yes … As Mr Snow had often reminded him, being born in the shadow of Talisman was a great honour bestowed on a few rare individuals. An honour he must constantly strive to be worthy of. Cadillac was doing his best, but Mr Snow had omitted to mention that, at times, being a Child of Destiny could be a real pig …

  When Steve and Clearwater woke next morning, Cadillac was still asleep. To avoid waking him, they took their breakfast down to the renegades’ main camp and ate with Malone. Afterwards Clearwater resumed her riding lessons. Steve stayed with Malone and his lieutenants and tried to glean some information about their next move. Malone’s side didn’t give much away. They were more interested in questioning Steve about the Iron Masters.

  It was around mid-day when Steve walked back up the slope to find Clearwater kneeling by the fire, cooking a meal for Cadillac. The Great Helmsman was perched on a nearby rock, staring moodily out into space. He didn’t even acknowledge Steve’s arrival.

  Steve and Clearwater exchanged silent greetings. The small cask of sake lay on its side. Empty. Steve glanced down at it then aimed a questioning glance across the fire. Her eyes begged him to tread carefully.

  Steve went over and broke the news about Roz. He had no idea how Cadillac would react but he had expected some sign of interest. What he got by way of response was a mocking, belligerent laugh. Steve let it ride and tried to get a fix on what was going on behind the eyes. The Mute wasn’t drunk but he had been drinking.

  Steve tried again. ‘I don’t think you quite realize what this means. She’s out! Up here in the real world!’

  ‘So…?’

  ‘It’s the break I’ve been looking for! If we could find some way to spring her from the wagon-train –’

  Cadillac slid off the rock and started down the slope. ‘And just how do you propose to do that?’

  ‘I haven’t worked that out yet. But there must be a way. If Malone and his breakers got together with the M’Calls –’ Steve was interrupted by a call from Clearwater.

  ‘Caddy! Your meal’s ready!’

  ‘Later! I’m going down to the stream for a wash. Okay?’

  Steve seized Cadillac’s arm as he went to move off. ‘Forget the wash. This is important!’

  ‘To you maybe. But not to me. This bunch of no-hopers are your friends, Brickman. You want to work with ’em? Fine! Just leave my people out of this. There will be no deal.’

  Clearwater, sensing an argument was brewing, came down to join them.

  ‘Wait a minute. Just listen, will you? I know it seems a farfetched idea but –’ Steve held up his hand to prevent Cadillac interrupting ‘– suppose, if a way could be found, we did manage to capture a wagon-train. To the M’Calls it would be nothing more than a large heap of junk. All they’d do is tear pieces off it. But with the help of these guys, you and I could actually use it! Can you imagine the edge it would give us?’

  Cadillac snorted derisively. ‘A pipe-dream! Grow up, Brickman! You’ve involved us in enough of your lunatic schemes!’

  ‘Yeah, sure,’ snapped Steve. ‘They were lunatic. But your ass is still in one piece – in spite of the fact you did your best to fuck things up!’

  Cadillac started to turn away. Steve pulled him back. ‘What’s the matter? Having trouble facing facts? Has your courage run out with the joy-juice?’

  ‘You don’t need to lect
ure me about courage! Cloud-Warrior … Hahh! You are not worthy of the name!’ jeered Cadillac. He turned to Clearwater. ‘You should have heard your Golden One when he felt the flames licking round the wings of his Skyhawk.’ He mimicked a weak version of Steve’s voice: ‘“Help me … please!!” No sign of the all-conquering hero then! Just a pitiful whining wretch! No Mute, worthy of the name would have ever begged for mercy from an enemy! He would have died – proudly!’

  ‘Like you on the wheelboat…’

  Cadillac’s lips trembled. ‘That was different! I wasn’t trying to save my life. I was trying to save my soul!’

  ‘That’s a good one. I must remember that line.’ Steve turned to Clearwater. ‘And he calls me a devious sonofabitch!’

  ‘How can you, a sand-burrower, who believes in nothing, possibly understand what the Plainfolk mean by honour and courage?’

  ‘I’m trying the best I can. Which is more than can be said for you.’ This was almost followed by ‘You drunken bum’, but Steve just managed to stop his tongue in time.

  ‘Then understand this! The M’Calls have attacked one of the great “iron snakes”! The one you rode into battle. More than three hundred clan-brothers and sisters kissed sharp iron that day. Men women and children. Shot and burned and torn to pieces by its angry white breath!’

  ‘Yeah, I know. That super-heated steam is a real killer. But you know about all that now. And you’ve got a hundred guns! No one – not even the M’Calls, who are renowned for their bravery – can succeed by attacking en masse in broad daylight! We’ve got to use our brains! Figure out some way to get aboard. I don’t know … maybe in disguise. Think positive! There’s got to be a way!’

  Cadillac remained unmoved. His voice suddenly cold. ‘There’s no way, Brickman. No way that you are going to drag me, or Clearwater, or any of my people into attacking Red River just to free your kin-sister!’

  Steve clawed air. ‘Christopher Columbus! She’s not the only reason!’

  ‘But she’s the main one …’

  Steve appealed to Clearwater. ‘Talk to him, will you? Make him understand.’ She didn’t respond. He turned back to Cadillac. ‘We’ve got to go for it, Caddy. We may never get another opportunity like this again!’

  ‘And neither will your masters …’

  Steve frowned. ‘What d’you mean?’

  Cadillac laughed bitterly. ‘Don’t play games, Brickman. Why d’you think your kin-sister is on that train?’

  ‘You’re the smart-ass – why don’t you tell me?’

  ‘She’s the bait on the hook! They figure you’ll either make an attempt to free her, or –’ Cadillac caught Clearwater’s warning glance.

  ‘Or what? Come on, let’s have it.’

  ‘You’ll sell us down the river.’ Cadillac’s voice was muted but his eyes didn’t budge from Steve’s.

  ‘I see. You think they brought her out here to bring pressure on me.’

  ‘Can you think of a better reason?’ The defiant tone matched the look. ‘Isn’t that why you came back out? You agreed to try and capture us because they were going to kill her if you refused!’

  ‘In other words, in spite of everything we’ve been through so far, you still don’t trust me.’

  Cadillac weighed up his reply. ‘Let me give you the bottom line, Brickman. I don’t think you trust yourself.’

  ‘What kind of an answer is that?’

  ‘The only one you’re going to get. You fed me the same kind of line often enough. All right if I take a wash now?’

  ‘Yes, I think you should,’ said Clearwater. ‘It’s time you both cooled down. This isn’t getting us anywhere.’

  ‘On the contrary,’ snapped Steve. ‘It’s about time we cleared the air.’ He jerked a thumb towards Cadillac. ‘Wanna know what is really pissing this guy off? He can’t bear competition. He’d like us all to step back and let him run the show. Well it ain’t gonna happen.’ He squared up to Cadillac. ‘The Number One spot has to be earned, amigo. You get to be king of the hill by being better than everybody else. Tougher, meaner, smarter –’

  Cadillac waved Steve’s words away and went to step past him.

  ‘Stay!’ commanded Clearwater.

  ‘Maybe you’re right about me not trusting myself,’ Steve continued. ‘I certainly don’t where you’re concerned. For a long time I felt I owed you one for saving my life – since when I’ve pulled your ass out of the fire twice! Not because I wanted to but because I had to. If it wasn’t for Clearwater and Mr Snow, I’d have left you behind long ago.’

  ‘Really? You’d have left me behind? If it wasn’t for the deal I did with the Kojaks, you’d be hanging in strips from their lodge-poles! Who was it who saw that wheelboat coming? Who was it who came up with the best idea of getting on board?’

  ‘Yeah. And once we did, who fucked it all up by losing his nerve?! Falling for the simplest trick in the book! Who’d be out there now with the fishes feedin’ off his face if I hadn’t got him ashore?’

  Cadillac’s mouth trembled as he tried to control his anger. ‘I don’t owe you anything, Brickman! My people have repaid that debt ten times over, and what they didn’t give you’ve taken. Saving your lying snake-hide was the worst thing I ever did.’

  ‘Yeah. And you know why? Because you finally found yourself up against some real competition – instead of those dumb, slack-jawed pieces of lump-shit who’ve been listening to you all these years!’

  Clearwater seized Cadillac’s knife arm and held on as he tried to wrestle free.

  Steve continued to taunt him. ‘You know what your problem is? You’ve never forgiven me for dragging you out of your cosy little corner at the Heron Pool. Upending bottle after bottle of sake and sticking it to those slant-eyed body slaves. What a sweet little number! You were so busy enjoying yourself you couldn’t see it was only a matter of time before they pulled the rug out from under you. No. You were the big man on the campus.

  ‘But who got you the job?! I did! You’ve never had an original idea in your whole fucking life! Everything inside your head that’s worth knowing was stolen from me! Everything you knew before that was given to you by Mr Snow, and all that Japanese junk you’ve got tucked away was another reel-to-reel job!’ He laughed derisively before delivering the coup-de-grace. ‘You want the truth? Well here it is, friend. You’ve got a second-rate brain full of second-hand ideas. You think you’re born to lead The Chosen? I wouldn’t put you in charge of a pile of buffalo-shit!’

  Clearwater saw Malone striding up the slope towards them. A handful of renegades followed, several yards behind. Clearwater stepped in front of Cadillac and tried to stop the fight before Malone arrived. ‘Listen to me! Let the wind carry away these hot words. Do not answer them with sharp iron!’

  Her appeal went unheeded. Blood-brothers they might have sworn to be, but these insults were too much to bear. They must be avenged! Cadillac broke loose with an angry roar, his blade a sliver of white fire as it caught the afternoon sun.

  Steve drew his combat knife and got ready to parry his opponent’s first lunge.

  Clearwater turned as Malone reached them. ‘Please–!’

  The breaker backed off with raised hands. ‘To hell with it. I don’t know what this argument’s about but if they want to work it out the hard way, let ’em.’

  Clearwater attempted to intervene. ‘Have you both gone mad? Stop this! Now!’ Once again her appeal fell on deaf ears. Both men thrust her aside and continued to circle one another, jabbing and feinting to test each other’s reactions. Clearwater realized she had to do something – but what?

  The answer came from within. A surge of power that rode on the back of her anger, fuelling a blood bloodcurdling scream.

  Malone saw her eyes gleam with blue fire. Her two arms flashed forward and outwards, the raised palms of each hand aimed towards the heads of the duellists. He prided himself on being a hard man but the sound that issued from her lips was so terrifying, he came as close as he’d ever bee
n to crapping himself.

  The effect on Brickman and the Mute was even more startling. For a split second, they seemed to be transfixed, open-mouthed, the knives dropping from their splayed fingers then in the next instant they were lifted bodily off the ground and hurled several yards through the air in different directions. Both landed heavily and lay sprawled on the ground, winded by the fall and the invisible hammer-blow Clearwater had delivered.

  Malone had never seen anything like it. How on earth could she have …? He never found out. As he turned back to her, his amazement turned rapidly to wide-eyed dismay. Above and behind Clearwater a low-flying Federation Skyhawk soared up over the ridge like a wide-winged death bird and dived straight towards them.

  Malone pitched himself sideways into the cover of a nearby rock as several other breakers whose attention had been drawn to the knife-fight raised a ragged chorus of alarm. But it was too late. The stream of needlepoint rounds being pumped out by the six-barrelled gun under the nose of the Skyhawk was already ploughing a deadly furrow through the grass and dirt towards Clearwater, chipping flakes off the rocks and pebbles and sending whining ricochets in all directions.

  Instead of throwing herself down, Clearwater turned as if to challenge their attacker and was caught on the turn. A cloud of rock powder and earth erupted around her –

  Chu-wii-chu-wii-chu-wii-chu-wii-chu-wii-chu-wii-chu-wii!

  Even if they had been on their feet, Steve and Cadillac were too far away to pull her out of the line of fire. Clearwater’s arms and head jerked wildly as she was struck by several rounds in quick succession then she too was hurled to the ground as the hail of bullets swept down the slope.

  NO-oh-oh-OH! With not an ounce of breath left in his body, the scream of anguish remained sealed inside Steve’s brain. But it was sufficient to trip the circuits that opened the channel to Roz.

  Oh, Bless you, Sweet Sky-Mother! Roz! If ever we meant anything to each other, help me now!