Bad Order

Extra Board

Comet watched Solano wander off after he and Luno had pulled the now steaming switcher from the shed. Luno climbed down onto the ground and lit his lantern.

"There are several things you must learn about before you are ready to drive. As this is part of my area of expertise, I am the one teaching you." he said. "The first is the yard, and how to keep yourself safe while there is rolling stock moving about."

Comet pushed his hands into his pockets. Here was the boring part.

"How bad can it be? It's just one locomotive."

Luno sighed.

"My face has come in contact with track ballast more times than I wish. Some of it, I have reason to believe was not fault on my part but Solano's...but that is not important." he replied. "First, trains can move unexpectedly at any moment. You must always be aware of your surroundings."

"It's pretty empty right now."

"Yes. Because I am teaching you. But there will be harder challenges ahead." Luno said. "There are three more things I will teach you for now, and one is to never assume the driver of a locomotive can see you if you are on the ground. You must be vigilant. You may not be able to succumb to old age anymore, but you can still be killed by a moving train."

Comet swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Right."

"Do not step on the rails while you are crossing the yard. After years of wear and spilled oil, they are worn smooth, and are incredibly slippery. Now, lastly, and this is the most important rule: for the time being, you are not to operate either of our locomotives without the express permission of myself or Solano."

"Easy enough." Comet said. "Takes more effort to drive a train then to not drive one."

"Correct. Come with me."

Luno climbed up into the cab of the switcher and helped Comet inside behind him.

"Patience is important when you are operating a locomotive. Before you are taught to drive, I am to teach you how to be a proper fireman."

Comet frowned.

"Damn."

Luno patted his shoulder.

"You must be an excellent fireman before you can be a driver."

Comet looked at him.

"Is that why Solano always drives?"

Luno paused.

Comet immediately bit his tongue.

"I beg your pardon?"

Luno's expression had changed very little, but somehow Comet felt like his bones were about to liquefy and melt out of his body. He shifted his weight between his feet.

"I-I mean, you don't r-really drive, y'know? You're always the fireman. And-and you have to be a good fireman to drive."

Luno narrowed his eyes.

"I am the fireman because Solano fears the firebox." he said, his voice just as monotonous as usual, but with an edge Comet had never heard before. "But I am just as capable of driving the Eclipse and this switcher as he is."

"Okay! Okay, I believe it. Don't need to get your tail in a twist."

Luno gave him one last glare before turning toward the train's controls.

"Solano will teach you about all of the driver side controls. I will be operating them for this lesson." he said, the same stern note in his voice. "You have two main responsibilities: putting water into the boiler, and coal into the fire."