War Bonnet

Part 1

During the twenty-second century, with wealth and power greatly centralized, things were not going smoothly for the American nation. Across the continent, In some of these long-neglected places, many were seeing hard times unlike ever before. The wheels of change, however, were turning. The Southwest, a region often relegated as a backwater of sorts, was having an awakening. Drawing upon homegrown resources, technologies, and investment, it was amid the first throws of economic resurgence. Local authorities were taking the first steps toward self-sufficiency. To those, in the concentrated places of wealth and power, this quiet revolution had not gone unnoticed.

The Santa Fe Zephyr was well along on its maiden voyage southward across the high plateau. Having departed Union Station at Denver, Its destination was the newly renovated station down in the New Mexican town of its namesake. Hopes were high that that newly baptized station in Santa Fe would catalyze the development of both commerce and culture. The anticipation placed on the success of this first run could not, therefore, be overstated.

Despite the prediction of favorable conditions, in the day leading up to the event, masses of threatening clouds had begun to accumulate along the horizon. That night, news of an impending blizzard had reached the team in charge at the Denver railway station. It was determined, after much debate, that they should press ahead with their plan without delay. Later before dawn, just as the final preparations were being made, a rarely seen spring blizzard began unleashing a record-breaking torrent of snow and sleet.

The Zephyr set out on time amid darkness and driving snow. At first, the train moved cautiously. Then before long, the emboldened engineer began to put the Zephyr through its paces. Despite the challenges of the threatening weather hazards, the crew had managed so far to stay roughly on the schedule set before them by their engineer.

The engineer understood the importance of this initial trip. He would do whatever was necessary to get the job done. For the Santa Fe Zephyr was not merely a train; it was a frictionless levitating train. It was bound in a resistance field to a track by a powerful set of maglev engines, drawing their power directly from the Earth's magnetic field. Nothing even close to this was in service anywhere else in the world. More than that, this project represented a way forward for the people of the region, not only in a real sense but also symbolically. The engineer was proud to just to be associated with it. They all were.

All of this had only been possible because of Jaden's singular access to a wealth of heretofore unseen, advanced technology. He, since its inception, having conceived of, and then managed this rail project, was not going to let a simple thing like a spring storm, tear down all he had worked so hard to achieve. This project was going to succeed, as the natives of this planet say, come hell or high water. He had to admit, however, that despite his unflagging optimism, the timing of the weather event could not have been worse. He pondered that if he were one to think suspiciously, he might imagine this to not be merely a coincidence. Time, however, was at a premium, and there was none to spare for such thoughts.

Opening day would be an inauspicious, low key affair. Instead of the usual fanfare, he had ensured that a good number of hand-picked reporters and media types were represented among the passengers. They would be the witnesses, and their words would shape the kind of portrayal he desired. He concluded that their bylines would be more direct and therefore more powerful than any public relations gimmick. Although it had been the first journey along this new route, he bucked tradition by avoiding the traditional ceremonies associated with such events. He was determined that that opening day would be an inauspicious, low key affair. Instead of the usual fanfare, he had ensured that a good number of hand-picked reporters and media types were represented among the passengers.

In the days leading up to the inaugural event, Jaden had taken press interviews with many of these individuals regarding the project. During these interviews, he had made many bold statements and predictions. What he had not shared, for an inability to adequately communicate emotions, was just how important this project had been for him. It was as if this project were a symbol of all of those hardships he had endured during his time on Earth. The emotional baggage of pent up hostilities and all of the voices from the centuries past had been exorcised. All of these energies he had used and focused on a crystallizing driving force. It was for this reason that he believed, that from these humble beginnings something truly great would develop.