2.15|LOCOMOTIVE DAWN

 

2.15|Locomotive dawn

 

When Protlyn opened her eyes, the meat of their ride was in a giant crater in the woods. Black smudges and burns hurt her body, she slumped up slowly. Monarch had shielded Amity, his backside seared.

"What now?" Amity asked.

"How far is the computer's mainframe?" Protlyn asked.

The hacker pulled out her comm. "9 miles, but there's Oohtlet encampments

in our way. We'll never make it."

Protlyn breathed in deeply, trying to find her center of calm.

She'd failed her people, they'd lost their minds to the Oohtlet's madness, and

there was no way to stop it.

Amity spoke softly. "We've both failed."

Protlyn thought for a moment. "We still have something to try."

"What?" Amity asked.

"The train. We can take back the train. We'll fight our way onto a cart, hijack it and head to the computer's mainframe." Protlyn said. "We can do it.. we have to try."

They ran across the vast expanse of land. After several minutes of sprinting, Protlyn spotted something in the distance. "I see it!" She called to Monarch. It was a large train, an electrical-powered machine.

Amity knew they'd have to do something. She was an engineer, with her knowledge in science and Monarch's tools, she felt confident in her ability to pull it off. She put on her goggles. "Monarch, give me your sonic grenade." He handed it to her, and she threw it at the train and she jumped as it went off. It made a huge explosion, and the train slowed to a stop.

Protlyn took out her gun and snuck behind the trees, sniping several of the Oohtlets atop. They began shouting and yelling, she closed her eyes and concentrated, causing them to wrench in pain with a series of psychic waves. While they struggled, Monarch ran forward and fired away, taking the Oohtlets out.

"This'll work," Protlyn said. "Get on!" After boarding, Amity ran to the console and rewired it until they could take off. The trio rode across the forest on the tracks, avoiding Oohtlet patrols.

"We're nearing the computer's mainframe. Should be about 3 minutes more." Monarch said. He was nervous, but the plan was good.

Theo's broadcast was still on the Train's radio.

"This world belongs to the Oohtlets, this city, this world, has all been given to the Oohtlets. You have all been given the chance to be fed, to live. Rise up and take your right from these birds and beasts of the land." The train started to grind, slowing to less than half its speed. Amity panicked. "The sonic grenade.. it fucked up the engine. We'll still get there but, it's dragging.."

"Protlyn, eyes up!" Monarch pointed down.

Dozens of Oohtlets from a nearby camp started to gather, taking notice and swarming the train. "Get off!" Protlyn yelled, shooting until her pistol smoked. She threw her gun at a bear-like Oohtlet and kicked another resembling a wolf. Monarch and Protlyn fought off the insurrectionists climbing the train, the crowd ready to tear them to shreds.

A giant Oohtlet grabbed at Protlyn's throat, the rhino pushing Monarch effortlessly. It swiped and swung, trying to grapple with the synth and Protlyn. They took turns battling the beast, but it was too strong, and they were on the losing end. Amity shot the Oohtlet with a bolt pistol in the chest, dropping them off the train.

The two caught their breaths. The remaining Oohtlets held daggers, spears, knives, shovels and guns at them. Protlyn closed her eyes, focused as much as she can and yelled 'GET OFF!' with a psychic shout, her mouth and forehead soon bleeding to send every single one into a coma. They kicked them off.

She coughed, getting on her knees. "Protlyn!" Monarch caught her trembling form. "I'm fine, just cannot do that too reliably yet.."  She laughed weakly.

"We're here." Amity said. The train sped into a cave, they could see a tall tower outside that went into the subterranean. When the train stopped in a hub, Protlyn rushed out.

"Protlyn wait-" Amity grabbed her jacket.

"What?" She turned around. "Maybe this is a bad idea, it might not be Theo

behind this."

Protlyn pulled her hand off. "But it’s our last shot to save this world, save out

city and the Oohtlets."

"Amity..." Monarch said, the weight of the world on his shoulders. "It's over."

"What's over?" Protlyn asked, looking at them both strangely. "What's going

on?"

Amity looked away.

"I have to go. I'm sorry." Protlyn pulled her comm from her pocket. "Theo, I know you're behind all this. Listen to me. You've got to stop. We're at the mainframe's station now."

"Fox girl." Theo teased, responding on the other end. "I don't know what you're talking about. Why are you there, think you hide from us behind a bunch of wires and connections?"

"W-what?" There was a clicking noise, and the voice was cut off. Protlyn stared at her comm, trying to get a read on the confusing response.

She gave the two one last look, then walked up the stairs.