Platinum Skies (The Manifests Series #2)

[8] The Hostile Railroad

April 28, 2023, 4:02 pm, Daegu Metro Line 2 Train, Daegu, South Korea.

Today was the day of the mission, and the preparations, upgrades, reinforcements, and final touches to the train were completed.

The cryostine cube that Hyungwon proposed would work as the train's main energy source worked, and it's icy core was now installed infront of the control panel of the train using huge cables.

The train conductor soon started the train, and it's engine roared as it breathed to life. The icy core vibrates, surging the train with just the right amount of power. The lights inside flicker before they finally turned on. The air-conditioning seemingly coughed and whirred before it exhaled its icy breeze, blanketing the whole train and all of it's occupants inside---all of Sanghoon and Hyungwon's team, geared up and ready for the fight of their lives.

Zeke and Jihyo were tasked to defend the first and second car of the train. They were supported by Sana, Sanghoon, and Hyungwon, and a few militia.

Ryujin, Hangyeol, Jinwoo, together with the remaining members of Sanghoon's settlement, were tasked to defend the third and fourth car.

Vanta was tasked alone to defend the final car, away from the settlers as to not startle them or cause unrest. He was also advised to not interfere with whatever that was happening.

As the whole settlement team posiioned themselves into their respective places, Zeke notices them do different mental preparations. Some were stretching, some were talking to each other to calm themselves, some were encouraging the other hesitant militia, and some did a sign of a cross.

Zeke thinks about the lives of all these people. Precious lives that are willing to do whatever it takes to win this battle---one of the many battles that they will have to deal with in order to survive and win.

And they know they have to win.

There is no other choice.

Zeke snaps out of his thoughts, then then notices Jihyo board the train, setting her eyes around the car with a concerned look plastered on her face.

"Did anyone prepare barf bags or medications for dizziness?" Jihyo suddenly announced. "They say that this ride will be a fast one, so I'm worried about those who have motion sickness."

"Don't worry about it much, Jihyo-ssi. We prepared some for the team."

"That's good to know, considering some of us had a heavy lunch, I feel its going to cost some of our teammates..." Jihyo said as she looks at Sana, who was standing on the side of the train. It seems like she was having trouble strapping her bulletproof vest on. Jihyo walks to her and immediately assists her in doing so.

"Hey, this goes here... and... here... and click! All done!" Jihyo said as Sana turns around and smiles at her.

"Thanks, Jihyo-ya. Will probably never get used to strapping these on, but I gotta adapt, I guess? This is our life now, so... gotta stay safe! Ehe." Sana said as she smiled.

"Yeah." Jihyo said as she then looks at her Manifest, the Seraphim, nestled comfortably in her right hand.

There was a long pause between the two as the only sounds that were heard were people around them murmuring about.

Sana takes a good look at Jihyo's face.

Her physical appearance hasn't changed, even in this apocalypse. She was still radiant, gorgeous, beautiful at every angle---front and side profile alike.

Although, Sana wonders what has changed in her personality-wise in the past months. She was still Jihyo, ofcourse: a bubbly, confident Park Jihyo that she knew and loved all these years. But of course, she also knew Jihyo had to acclimate herself to this dreaded catastrophe, as well as all those otherworldly fights they've endured so far... and Sana was now suddenly curious to know how Jihyo feels about all of it.