A short time for living.

Chapter 5 - Down, Down, Where Dead Men Go

As the train sat on the tracks for a few minutes Jack stewed.  What did Bill mean, “just the beginning?”  This is getting ridiculous, Jack thought.  We must be right outside the terminal and Bill is just going way overboard with this whole thing.  Suddenly the train jolted, it was not a forward, or backward motion, but rather more like that feeling you get on the first notch of a roller coaster.  Jack, not prepared for the movement fell slightly forward, but caught himself by the hand rail. There was a loud “clunk”, as the train began to rotate clockwise. Jack looked out the window and could see a light source moving from left to right.  The train continued to rotate until it was facing back the way it came.  Finally this shit was over thought Jack, we are headed back.

A low pitched siren went off signaling something was happening.  Two rows of strip lighting appeared next to the tracks leading off into the distance.  It looked like a pathway, and there were people on it.  Jack followed the path with his eyes and could see another set of lights shaped like a tunnel.   As the figures on the path approached Jack recognized them as military personal, they lined up either side of the rail car.  A raspy order was issued to "advance," and the troops moved towards the train car. Dressed in gray camouflage, the soldiers blended well with the surrounding rock face. They carried automatic weapons, along with what appeared to be an air tank on their backs. One of the soldiers pulled a walkie talkie out of it's holster and pressed the send button, “Central, we have a confirmation on the package en route!”   “Roger. Ok to proceed.” The soldier waived the rest of the troop back away from the train as the train began to move again.

“Bill, what's going on here?”, Jack blurted out. “We have a lot of sensitive equipment down here Jack, they are just here to protect it.” The train began moving along the track and into the tunnel. Jack noticed they were heading down hill again as they accelerated. Jack inched back into his seat and grabbed the closest railing. His hands were sweaty and he gripped ever tighter in anticipation of further changes in velocity.  Jack watched Bill out the corner of his eye, looking for any signs of distress. There was none, and that gave Jack at least a modicum of peace.

After a few minutes of acceleration, the train began to slow again. Bill turned to Jack excited, “Almost there now.” Jack stared looked out the window, but all he could see was rock.  “Almost where Bill?” “Home, Jack, were almost home.” Before Jack looked out the window again, straining his eyes to see anything, but their was nothing to see.  The train came to a stop and the doors slid open. Bill and his companion stood up, and began to move towards the door. The stairs extended from the side of the train allowing them exit. As the door opened Jack could feel the air in the tunnel, it was cool and crisp, almost to the point of being cold, it was quite refreshing.  Bill paused and turned around towards Jack who was still firmly seated,” Breath Jack, we are almost there.”

Two soldiers met Bill at the side of the rail car and checked his ID. Bill didn't say a word, as if he had done this a thousand times before. "Good to go sir," a soldier quipped.  Bill's companion showed no ID and simply took point in front of the soldiers. “Is this the Mayor, Captain?”  The only reply was a nod, and a stern look. The soldier fell back into formation without another word. “Come on Jack!”, Bill cajoled.

Jack slowly got out of his seat and headed for the door.  He was feeling a little queasy and held the rails as he approached the train door.  As he climbed down the stairs Bill took his arm to steady him on the uneven ground. “Watch your step here Jack, the walkways aren't in yet.” Jack looked down and saw the uneven surface filled with small rocks and dirt. Bill smiled and let go of Jack's arm slowly, turned towards the Captain and said, “Shall we proceed?” The captain lead the way as the soldiers followed in step. Jack and Bill brought up the rear.

Up front Jack could hear a conversation between two of the soldiers as they walked. He could not make out everything but from what he could hear it was about the construction of this cavern. From what he could gather, construction had been a hazardous job, and many men died from falls, and other accidents. Apparently,the site acquired the nickname “the death tunnel” from some of the contractors working in the deepest parts of the cavern.  The Captain cleared his thought and the soldiers immediately stopped talking. About twenty yards away Jack could see an open door with light flooding out, that appeared to be where they were heading.