War Bonnet

Part 2

Jaden listened carefully to his words, realizing that this was just the conversation he wanted to be having. But so far, he was puzzled that the senator had not yet laid his cards out upon the table. As to where he stood on the issue, or even where his sympathies lay, he was being tight-lipped. He thought therefore, it might be time to be direct. "So tell me, Senator, why then have you come all this way? Surely it could not have been merely to give me this warning. There must be a point ultimately that you are trying oh so subtly to reach."

The senator paused again, carefully gathering his words before he spoke. "I want to be as honest as I can, but I must be careful. It is about the growing separatist movement in the southwest that I wish to speak to you about." Feeling uncomfortable in his chair he readjusted himself. Leaning in closer, he began again to speak. "It is whispered in Washington that if this nation were to splinter, The Southwest may be the keystone piece that would either hold the nation together or tear it asunder."

Jaden was dubious to this assertion but thought it curious that those in powerful positions should have thought so. If he was to be making inroads to a potential ally, he would be careful in his response so as not to sound as if he were chiding him. "Senator if I may be frank, the problems leading up to what may be this nation's inevitable dissolution, will have far less to do with the goings-on here in New Mexico than with the corruption back in the Capitol. So I ask again, what questions do you have specific of me? Of what purpose may I be of assistance to you? I promise I will keep everything spoken of here today in the greatest of confidence."

As they continued talking, just out beyond the walls of the train, the weather was intensifying. While cutting deeper still into this forested high plateau region, the train car carried on as best it could. Running into what was the heaviest part of a snow and lightning storm, to avoid a potential catastrophe the engineer was forced to bring the train's velocity down to a relative snail's pace. By this time the lightning that was illuminating the blackened sky, was beginning also to interfere with the sensitive magnetic equipment on the train. Jaden's senses were keen. Even through the sound dampening panels that shrouded the train's interior, he could tell something unusual was happening. He began to sense, a strange unnatural pattern to the thunderous report caused by the lightning. He could discern even as the senator was speaking that there was something wholly unnatural in the pattern to which lightning had been striking. He was not suspicious by nature. He would, however, go out on a limb where logic dictated. It was telling him now that there was some kind of intentional interference, by persons, or agencies unknown to the workings of his train. This much he was sure of. By now the senator seemed aware that Jaden had become distracted. "What is it Jaden, I think you stopped listening to me a moment ago."

Not wishing to give away too much he responded deceptively. "I apologize, but I am a bit distracted by this storm."

The forward lights of the train eventually revealed an obstruction on the track, off in the distance. Debris of dislodged or fallen trees had been struck down by the force of the wind, requiring the train to come to a complete stop. As the passengers became aware that their motion had ceased, rumors of their predicament began to spread. Jaden stood from his chair and with his heightened senses tried to ascertain what was happening. Over the internal overhead communications system, the conductor made generalized apologies and announcements in an attempt to calm and inform the passengers. Jaden was immediately suspicious of what to him immediately appeared illogical. For what cause would there have been for such an obstruction to exist? Moments after the train had come to a stop; Jaden began to hear the distant but the unmistakable sound of chopper blades whipping at the sky. This seemed very suspicious, Jaden asked quietly to himself, "Choppers out here, this quickly? There isn't a town for thirty miles. There is a zero probability that this is a mere coincidence. The timing of this is a virtual impossibility."