We trundled along, not wasting time with any passenger stops. It was a straight shot to Gonzales.
I opened the throttle wide, trying to get as much speed on.
45.
50.
52.
55.
The engine began to sway.
60.
63.
64.
66.
8:30.
I whistled through every crossing, Powell shoveling like mad.
67.
68.
67.
68.
69.
70!
I stuck my head out the window, I saw the Gonzales ball in the distance. I slammed shut the regulator, the safety valve instantly popping off. I lowered the seat, judging the distance. Will closed the dampers and set the injector, trying to calm Dai. I closed the small ejector to begin applying the brakes. As we slowed, I controlled our deceleration by opening the ejector to release the brakes, then kick them off with a hiss from the handle. In a stop and go motion, we slowly made our way to the makeshift platform on the main line. Once we passed our high tech stop marker, that was really just a stick of red painted wood, where if you're going 10, you should start braking.
We came to a stop, just before the halt. I kicked off the brakes at the last second, the needle making its way to the left, bringing us to a gentle stop. I whistled once.
9:20. On the dot.
I looked back to see the passengers begin to get off, Matthew's diesel pulling in as well. The old F7 came to a stop, bell ringing, the brakes screeching to a halt. I waved to him, I saw the blurred figure through the windshield. I hopped down, helping him down out of the cab.
"Good?"
"Yup."
I patted him on the back, following the crowd down the streets. I saw the lightning sparks coming from downtown, the children igniting their own stores of fun things. Sparklers were passed around, the bright lines burned into my eyes. My attention turned to the sky as the countdown began.
"Five! Four! Three! Two! One!"
I saw a tiny projectile come shooting up, barely visible admist the navy sky. Then...
Wham!
The thing exploded, sending tiny suns in all directions, in a big circle.
Wham!
Another lit up the sky. The ground was illuminated for a second by the explosives.
As more went up and exploded in a fury, the crowd were in awe at the amazingness of it all. The beautiful display... that i helped put together. Everyone here, all enjoying a single event.
I was reminded, why I was fighting this fight. A tear began to grow in my eye.
YOU ARE READING
The Zombie Train The Transport Corp
Science FictionThe Salinas Vally is secure, allies are assured, but the work isn't over yet. Moving things around this new country is a never ending job. Now it's time for politics, as the Democratic Society of the United States grows bit by bit. But an enemy loom...
