Arc 3 - Chapter 56: Let's Play Fire

(Reverence 6, 59 / 7:45PM)

They all sat in a circle, their legs criss-crossed while the train rumbled in motion. Some of them scanned the doors, and they heard no footsteps. Whilst everyone’s palms were salt free, they rested them on their thighs, or metallic ground.

“As of right now, Christian and Pacifica are heading toward the Marston Bridge. The reason they’re heading there is to check on the soldiers preparing the nitroglycerin.”

“What wait?”

“We’re eliminating the train’s only way to reach East, so that means blowing up the bridge.”

Some of them felt tinges of sweat run down their faces. With the sun dimming in light, the last of the rays tried to fan their skin. Stan raised his hand high, his right eyebrow cocked back.

“Wait a minute, what about us?”

“Because we need the train to keep moving, our mission is to make sure it reaches the blown up bridge, by any means.”

Jack raised a hand toward his chin, and began rubbing his skin with his thumb and pointer finger. Clicking his tongue silently, his eyes widened slightly.

“So we’re running on a time limit…”

“But the Marston Bridge is far from here. The average speed of a train is 40 to 50 miles an hour. The speed limit of most Haxouburg roads is like 50 or more, and Christian is most likely speeding, so they’ll get there.”

“Even if they make it or not, we’ll assume the bridge is blown. Better safe than sorry.” Said Miles.

Whilst they discussed, Luke heard a door from the 15th cart. They all did. Immediately ceasing their breath, they were about to pull their weapons… before their alarms turned false. Coming out of the door, was a young man with blonde hair and brown clothing. A teenage girl walking next to him, her cat-ears already perked.

“Johnny? Elizabeth? Where were you guys?”

“We were held up in the 15th train cart. Guess you could say we were both dealing with… darkness.”

“How long were you guys watching us?” Asked Jack.

“Ever since Hope began talking. Let me tell you, I’ve never seen a shy woman so confident with words.”

The two of them stood a few meters away, and Johnny rubbed the side of his stomach with a smile. With the cat-girl closing the door with her boot, it was a slam, while they heard the sandy winds brush the exterior. An ambiance that sounded cursed.

“Are there any questions that you guys want answered?” Luke asked.

“I think we got everything covered. The time limit, our objective, and our will to fight.” Said Miles.

Luke began rubbing his hands, while the winds from outside worsened in tone. Raising his right eye, he looked over toward the door that Johnny and Elizabeth closed. Although he didn’t have Jack’s eyesight, he squinted at the small traces of grain littering the floor, grains that slightly glittered in the sunlight.

—Those winds are getting heavy… but it’s blowing from over there. Is there a gap between this cart and the 15th?

A lightbulb lightened his irises. Making a snap with his fingers, he garnered everyone’s eyes, as a small smirk tugged his lip. Turning toward Johnny, a creeping smugness grew out of him.

“Hey Johnny. Is there a ladder behind the 15th cart?”

“Yeah why? You’re not thinking of—”

“Sorry but that ladder might be the key to this whole operation. Because what I’m proposing is for us to split into two groups.”

Having a hand on his chin, Luke continued to sober in thought the more he analyzed. If there was a ladder, walking on thick metal would be easy. But taking account of the wind sheer, and the stability, it was a small gamble that can be lethal in the worst case. Even so, putting his eggs in one basket was a far worse scenario. If they can’t get to the brakes or conductor in time, it will be a repeat of last time. A stalled train, a train that isn’t moving, is a variable Luke does not want at all.

“The main group, which would be ⅔ of us, will go through each train cart by brute force. This group is responsible for charging headfirst into agents, guards, anything that will loosen the workload for the ⅓ of us.”

“And what about this ⅓?”

“They’ll take the ladder, and silently on the roof of these carts. If the main group has all the attention, this strike force would be the one to infiltrate the front train carts. We’ll disable the emergency brakes, conductor controls, anything that could stop the train.”

Two separate groups would be enough to increase the odds of success. As much as he wanted to escape, and to finish what the Zirardges had in motion, Luke still kept that smirk. Settling his hands on his knees, he stared at Sean, who was the only member in the circle to look down. His ears unable to perk, his gloominess still hovered.

“And this is only optional, but it would be nice to sustain a bit of money.”

“H–Huh? But money is the sole reason w-we’re here…”

“I know.”

“So why propose such an optional side quest? All I want is to—”

“We need money Sean. I’m afraid to say this, but you were half-right.” Luke spread both of his feet out, along with his legs. Once he was able to push himself up, both of his thighs strained themselves against his bones. Walking straight toward Sean, the ginger-haired elf could only watch with criss-crossed legs. It wasn’t long before Luke stood in front of him. “I know you made mistakes, but everyone does. I’ve done things that I’m not proud of doing, so this side quest is my way of repaying you.”

Luke extended his hand.

His palm a few inches from Sean’s face, the elf felt his fingers shiver the more he stared. From Luke’s scar, down to the youthfulness of his knuckles, it was all tattered in something mixing. Something that even Sean furrowed his brow on.

“Redemption isn’t earned by good deeds alone. You sometimes just have to pay back old debts.”

“What debts?”

“Your debt to Hope. I won’t necessarily forgive you fully…”

Sean balled his left hand to his side. With his right open, all he had to do was grab it. If he truly wished to be a part of them, to be a scout that plays tricks to the enemy…

“But you can redeem yourself.”

He took his hand.

Rising from the ground, Sean felt that fire blaze his soul at last. Although full forgiveness would be a longshot, he can at least make it up for his will. His surge to push forward amidst his fears and regrets.

“I’ll try, I’ll really do.”

“No worries Sean. I know you’ll try, but you just have to do the do.”

Letting go of Sean’s hand, the two of them were the only ones standing. Straightening his back, Luke took a glance at each person who continued to sit with abiding ears.

Scratching the back of his neck, he allowed a small zap of thought through his mind. Giving himself a nod, he grunted.

“Now back to the plan at hand… who’s willing to accompany me on the roof?”

Half of their hands were raised. Chuckling at their display of loyalty, and their bravery to take on the wind sheer, Luke motioned them to lay their hands down.

“Hmm… how about this. Hope, Miles, Jack, and Sean. You four will be going with me.”

“What the hell?”

Another person rose from the ground. Her lips curled downward, Luna had one eyebrow raised over the other. She didn’t take a step toward him, let alone walk. Feeling her stomach squeeze and quench, she felt her forehead wrinkle with one or two veins sticking out.

“Why aren’t I going with you?”

“You’re perfect for the main strike force. If guards are too large in number, you could use your blessing to strike deep in enemy lines.”

“But—”

“But listen. It’s for the good of us, the good of everything we’re riding on. Please, just for once Luna, fight not just for me.”

He had a warm face, one that could soften the angriest of people, the darkest of despair. Averting her eyes to the floor, she puffed out her cheeks.

“F-Fine… stupid idiot.”

Moving his eyes toward Johnny and Elizabeth, he noticed the two holding hands.

“I know this may seem rash, but uh, can you two fight alongside us?”

“You want me to pick a side?”

“I mean, what else would you—”

“Of course.”

Luke furrowed his brow. Lowering both of his hands onto his stomach, he began rubbing his knuckles repeatedly. His palms slightly tinging with sweat, it wasn’t much, but it was clear a slow warmth grew in his chest.

“After hearing Hope’s speech, something awakened in me, something I hadn’t felt in over a month.”

Remembering the fight with the Harvester, he could trace the heat that withered from its skin. Barely able to survive, the two not only felt fear… but adrenaline that they were scared to indulge in.

It led them to cower, to fear for even his own family. But Luke broke that chain, that cowardice that was binding his soul.

“I don’t care what you do to my father, mother, or sister; but I’m fighting. Me and her together.”

“Oh uhm… okay.”

For once, the howling wind ceased to rumble the exterior walls, including the small gap. Pushing one hand onto his holster, he took out his uzi, and let it hang on his side. Whilst everyone began to rise from the ground

“Are you all okay with your roles?”

“Hey if we have to fight, we have to fight. But I never thought I’d be with the main strike force.” Said Stan.

“And I never thought I’d take the silent route.” Said Miles.

“But you guys are okay, right?”

“Believe it or not, yeah. We’ll do our duties like it’s a 9 to 5 job..” Said Jumbo.

Whether they were indulged in nervousness, or with flickering sweat, what pushed them forward was that finish line. Drawing out their weapons, the sun to the west burned their pale to tan faces. Their odors mesmerizing the air, and their palms straining the grips, they all stared at the 15th cart door. Luke thumped his chest.

“You all ready?”

“Ready as we’ll ever be.” Said Sean.

If he slid his hand to the right, he would’ve performed the Dark Angels salute. But keeping it stalled, it was only for a second where he lowered it. Lowering his hand, he pulled out his other uzi.

“Then let’s play fire.” He charged toward the door; and so did everyone who followed him.