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    The glinting brightness of the whitewashed concrete and chrome of the installation hurt Vinrey's eyes. He pulled down a pair of black goggles from the top of his hat. Vinrey was noted for being photosensitive, and liked to keep the light levels on the Sanguine to a minimum.
    The man who had been shooting at him not ten minutes ago was leading him up to the white semi-circle that was the door to the building. They ascended a few steps, then the man walked over to the door and pressed his hand against a grey panel. It fell back into the door and a pneumatic hiss was heard. There was a clank, and the semi-circular door split in half rapidly, admitting them to the station's interior.
    They passed over the threshold, and the door slammed shut behind them.
    Ahead of them was a long white hallway with a high, ribbed ceiling. It was shiny and clean, but it gave the impression that this was due to lack of use rather than conscientious upkeep. Their steps echoed loudly.
    At the end of the hallway was a large room. To the left there was a staircase that led to a sort of indoor balcony that had a single white door in a wall on the landing. The wall on the right was convex, and entirely made of glass supported by a grid of steel beams. It let in an abundance of sunlight, there were no artificial lights to be seen. Vinrey noticed that the top row of panes was entirely broken out, with shards of glass clinging to the frames. There were no pieces to be seen on the floor inside.
    In the center of the room there was a low table with a few stools. White, keeping with the central color scheme of the rest of the building. A browning potted plant sat on the table.
    The man started toward the stairs, but Vinrey put a hand on his shoulder. The man stopped midstep.
    "Not so fast. Why don't we sit down and talk for a bit?"
    He calmly directed the man to the table and pushed him into a chair. Vinrey sat down across from him.
    Vinrey crossed his arms and leaned back. "Alright. In order to guarantee the safety of my crew, I need to know what you know about this place. It might give me some insight as to why we were told to... to rescue you."
    The man sighed. "Alright, I'll tell you everything I know." He paused, thinking.
    "My name is Marcus Black. I was assigned to this facility with one hundred and ninety-nine others."
    He paused again.
    "A few years ago I received a letter in the mail asking for my assistance. It had no return address, so I have no idea who sent it. It requested me to work at this facility, but not for free. The letter promised an exorbitant amount of money for three years' service here. I had no choice, really. I was running out of money, and I couldn't find a job." A pause. " The letter didn't outline anything, it just said to report to a set of coordinates if I accepted. I accepted, of course, and the coordinates led me here. All of us were standing here, with nothing but the clothes on our backs.
    "Up there," he pointed up to the indoor balcony with the single door, "a man in a deep blue suit came out of the door. He called for our attention, and we listened.
    "He told us that we would be living here for three years. Our jobs, during that time, would be to use the equipment in this building to monitor the area for any 'anomalies'. We had no idea what that meant.
    "He said that each of us was handpicked for specific reasons. Some of us were good with machines, some of us were electricians, others, like me, were scholars.
    "He left when he had given us our mission. Just scan for anomalies. That's it. He left through that same door and we never saw him again.
    "After that, I got to know that machinery of this place a little better. I know a good deal about electronic detection equipment, and the waves they emit. I sat down at the banks of blinking lights that no one understood and learned some things."
    He looked back toward the door.
    "This station is equipped with the most advanced detection equipment I have ever seen. They even have external photowave perception receivers, which aren't even supposed to exist."
    Vinrey looked blank.
    "Let me explain. An EPPR is a device that used a specific kind of light at a certain frequency to... see things. In real time. Using these machines, I could watch the glow-band in someone's house. I could spy on anyone, and even record it. It was my only link to the outside world.
    "The man had said, 'search for anomalies'. So I did just that. I used all monitors, scanning the entire planet for energy spikes, or anything that generally seemed impossible. I watched those screens for two years.
    "One day, something finally came up. On the screens. Out in the desert, only five miles from where we're standing, a little piece of the static energy field of the Universe just dropped out. Like a patch of air ceased to exist and stayed that way. I dialed the coordinates into the EPPR to see exactly what was going on there.
    "I saw a void. A complete nothingness. It looked like a patch of earth and the air around it just... nullified."
    Vinrey asked, "What happened?"
   "Things started to climb out of the emptiness. Creatures. Things that I had never seen before. Things that shouldn't exist. Oozing, fleshy demons with razor sharp teeth, and giant talons with scythe-like claws. They even had wings." He shuddered. "They started to advance on our position. They were flying directly for us. I got on the intercom and told everyone to grab a weapon, or hide, or anything. I pressed the button that we were told to press if there ever was an anomaly, or an emergency. This was both.
    "But before we knew it, they were inside the building! They were attacking everyone, devouring them, or just slicing them mercilessly. There was blood everywhere. They disemboweled people, gouged out their eyeballs and skinned them alive, then let the scream a while before eating them whole. It was like they had a single-minded intelligence that only existed to torture and maim people.
    "I ran. I ran down hallways I had never been down, just ran. I opened a series of doors and went down stairs. I wound up in a very tiny room that didn't really seem to serve a purpose. I could barely fit inside, but got in and locked the door. I could hear creatures running right past me, I detected the smell of blood they left behind and heard their cries. They passed within five feet of me, but never found me.
    "Hours went by. Eventually, the creatures stopped passing by. I worked up the nerve to step out and see if anyone was alive."
    He looked Vinrey in the eye. "I had to walk past bodies, Conductor. Bodies with horrible things done to them. Faces unrecognizable from beatings, brains exposed, limbs masticated or missing. Blood everywhere. It was a scene of horrible slaughter.
    "I went through the entire building. I kept count of the bodies I found, as well as I could. Some were indistinguishable from others... I counted one hundred and ninety-nine bodies. I had friends here, Conductor. I had to step in pools of blood that once belonged to people that I had to spend two years with."
    They were silent for a moment. Vinrey took in all of it, but found something odd in the grim situation.
    "Did you move the bodies?"
    "What?"
    "The bodies. I don't see any. And there's no blood, either."
    Marcus said, "The attack happened at night, no one was in this area. Everyone was either sleeping or in their rooms. All the carnage is behind that door."
    Vinrey was silent. All those people, killed for no reason, it seemed. What did this? Was anyone responsible?
    "Alright, I guess it's my turn to be honest. Me and my crew aren't here to rescue anyone. We were commissioned by a corporation to destroy this building for a lot of money. Now don't get me wrong," he said, seeing the startled look on Marcus's face, "we're not here to kill anyone. We were going to cram all of you aboard my train and dump you off at the next town, then blow up the station one you were gone."
    "Well, your load will be considerably lighter." Marcus said, with a touch of black humor.
    "Right. Mr. Black, I still plan on destroying this station. No offense to you or the deceased, but me and my crew need the cash. So I'm going to have to ask you to come with me."
    Marcus looked back up at the door. "I understand. The man who talked to us on the first day, he said there would be an immediate response in case of an emergency. It's been two weeks since the attack, and no one has come." He looked back to Vinrey. "I know you didn't come here with the intention of rescuing anyone, but I consider this my rescue. I don't want to be here. I entrust you with my friend's cremation." He straightened up. "But I have a proposition for you. More of a request, really."
    "What's that?"
    "I want to join your crew."
    "What? Why?"
    "Conductor, you must understand. All two hundred of us had one thing in common. After two years of conversing among ourselves, we found out that we all had no living relatives. None of us were prominent members of society. More or less, we were all recluses in our respective communities.
    "I have nothing to go back to. All I had was a tiny shack on a dingy street that I could barely afford. I hated my job. I had no friends. My life has been nothing but a series of disappointments so far, with this one the largest out of all of them. I want to start over. To try something else, other than the sorry life I led. Do you accept?"
    Vinrey was silent in thought for a few moments. He then said, "I don't know, Marcus. Being a mercenary of the rails is hard work. It is a life of lies, theft, and occasionally murder. We will not slow our pace for you. You will work hard, or be dumped off. There are thirty-two men on my ship including myself, and you will you will get to know them all, and know them well. You will be expected to work with them, and cooperate at all times."
    "I understand."
    "You will be assigned to a position, be it navigation, engineering, or whatever, based on your skills. And you will also be assigned a weapon. None of my crew goes unarmed."
    "Yes."
    "What are your skills, Mr. Black? What makes you think you'll be a useful crewhand?"
    "Well, I specialize in radar and detection devices. With the proper equipment, I'll be able so see anything coming for us. I also specialize in concealment. I have been working on a device that emits a wave-canceling signal, rendering any major craft invisible to electronic eyes. And I could uninstall the detection equipment from this place and put it on your train, for free."
    "Hm. We don't really have anyone that can do that kind of thing. Have any experience in weaponry?"
    "Not really. I took basic swordsmanship classes when I was a kid, but I'm really no good."
    "Hm. Tell you what." He uncrossed his arms and leaned forward. "I'll let you come aboard and assume active duty for a few days. You will be assigned a weapon and a position. I'll observe your performance and decide afterwards."
    Marcus stood up. "Thank you conductor. I pledge to work as hard as I can. You won't regret this."
    Vinrey stood and smiled. "I hope not, Temporary Railhand Black. We'll see."

    Inside the Sanguine, Bactus was nervous. His beard twitched. He drummed his fingers on the table.
    He was sitting in the Rec Car, in front of a badly scarred table.
    Bactus was perfectly aware of his Conductor's combat capabilities. He had both seen and faced him in battle, he was no pushover. But he couldn't help worrying for his Conductor. It's what he did.
    The door to the Rec compartment clacked open suddenly. A railhand in an engineer's cap stood in the frame, and said to Bactus, "Conduction Assistant, sir, the Conductor's back on board. And that guy's with him."
    Bactus stood up. "Thank you, Jarvis. You're dismissed."
    He left.
    Bactus reached below the table and pulled up his hammer. It was an old spike-driving hammer from the days when Bactus laid rails for a living. It was a dangerous-looking thing, a three foot pole with a three-kilogram head.
    He hefted it over his shoulder and walked out of the room, wondering what to expect of this newcomer.

    A voice crackled over the intercom. "Attention, everyone. The Conductor has requested everyone's presence in the Entrance room. So stop what you're doing and go there. Now."

    Vinrey and Marcus stood side by side in the light of the Entrance room's doorframes. All thirty-one others were standing inside the room itself.
    Vinrey opened his mouth to speak, but one of the greasier members of the crew interrupted him. "Oi, Conductor, we c'n barely see you! Can't we turn on th' lights, or shut that door or somefin'?"
    Vinrey gave the man one of his patented laser glares and he shut up.
    "Alright. Everyone, this man beside me is called Marcus Black. He's asked for permission to join the crew. I've-"
    He was instantly cut off by the other crew members loudly coming up with nicknames for Marcus.
    "Mark?"
    "Blackie?"
    "Lucius?"
    Bactus lifted his hammer above his head and yelled, "Next person to interrupt the Conductor is getting their head smashed!"
    There was instant silence.
    Vinrey resumed talking. "Right. As I was saying, Marcus will be a temporary member of the team for a few days. You will treat him as a member of the crew, no more, no less. If any word gets around to me telling of mistreatment, you will be punished accordingly. We will not slow our pace for him. Teach him whatever he needs to know, but do not slow down for his benefit. He needs to know what it's like to be a greasy rail-rapper like the rest of us.
    "Now get back to your stations and prepare to disengage the cannons. Our next objective is the destruction of this facility."

    Vinrey stood at the Nav station with the other Nav heads and Marcus.
    Vinrey spoke to the Lead Navigator. "Are the gunners in position?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "Right. Half-steam down track about a nyle and a half, then steambrake and lock for cannon fire." He turned to Marcus. "Want to see it happen? It's quite the spectacle."
    Marcus smiled in a tiny way. "Sure. Let's blow up some painful memories."
    "That's the attitude I like to hear." He grabbed the intercom microphone. "Lady and gentlemen, we are about to initiate a constant half-steam rate down track for about a nyle and a half, where we will stop, lock track, and open fire on the building. For this operation, all starboard side cannons will have no sight of the building, so if you are currently manning a starboard cannon, you may exit and go about your business, which I am sure will be climbing a ladder to watch the fireworks. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to listen harder the next time."

    The R. F. Sanguine rumbled down the tracks, kicking up a whirlwind of dust and sand in its wake. The old tracks groaned underneath the weight, but held.
    The scanning station started to fade in the distance, becoming blurry in the intense heat. It started to disappear.
    The Sanguine started to slow, pistons cranking with less frequency. After a few yards, it creaked to a halt. The pneumatic brakes released, blowing hot steam into the air with a piercing hiss.
    On top of the train, thirteen hatches sprang open, one on each car.
    The thirteen metal bunkers on the top of each car were a distinctive structures, no other train had similar apparatuses. There were also similar dome structures on the sides of each car.
    The track the Sanguine traveled down turned slightly, so the starboard side of the train was faced slightly away from the building. The bunkers on that side had no sight of the target, so they did not open.
    Once the steam from the braked dissipated, the train initiated firing lockdown. Metal clamps sprang from either side and attached to the tracks, anchoring the train firmly. A ratcheting came from the domes on the top and port sides of the cars. Massive barrels telescoped out of the hatches, each twelve feet in length and one hundred and eighty millimeters in diameter. Each cannon barrel swiveled toward the building, the top and port guns moving in unison. Barrel caps unfolded and radar sights engaged.
   There was silence.
   A few crew hands climbed on top of the cars, each of them wearing earmuffs. They were quiet, anticipating a good show.
    The steam whistle sounded. The fire signal.
    All at once, the twenty-six cannons fired. A massive concussion shattered the still desert air, and a team of twenty-six comets blazed visibly, rocketing toward the installation on a crash course.
    The blast echoed crazily, the roar of the explosive rounds could still deafen the unprotected ear.

    Inside, Marcus said through the din, "Conductor, you didn't tell me how much firepower you had! This is incredible!"
    Vinrey grinned like a fox.

    Out over the cracked plains of the rocky desert, the doomed building stood still. On one of the many stylized terraces of the roof, a shadowy figure watched the twenty-six rounds descend toward it. It seemed to shake its head, then push off of the roof and into empty space. There was a loud crack that could just be heard over the roar of the fireballs, and it disappeared in a cloud of dense black smoke.

    The crew of the Sanguine watched and listened to the rounds become more and more quiet as they descended onto the station.
    They each impacted the walls of the installation at the same time.
    From the crew's perspective, a huge mushroom cloud erupted in the distance, totally silent. The sound of the explosion caught up a few moments later, rumbling the ground and rocking the train on its anchors. It passed as suddenly as it came, leaving the crew's hair slightly rumpled, and if anyone had a hat, they lost it.
    The plume of fire lingered in the air for a long time, pieces of metal and cement could be seen falling to earth around the train. The spectators decided to go below before they were brained by incoming debris.

    Gathered in the Rec Car primary room, Vinrey, Bactus, and Marcus sat in comfortable chairs. It was a mystery as to how Vinrey had acquired these chairs, but it was widely assumed that they were stolen, one way or another.
    Vinrey said, "So, Marcus, feel any better?"
    "A little bit. Watching two years' worth of memories explode inspires mixed feelings in me, strangely enough."
    Bactus interjected, "Well, the past is the past. Vinrey is the only one that knows the pasts of the crew members here. It's an unspoken rule that we don't discuss it much. Once you step on this train, your slate is wiped clean. I can guarantee that no one will bug you about why we just blew up that building with only one extra person instead of two hundred. Or why you joined our crew. Or your shoe size."
    Vinrey and Marcus raised eyebrows.
    Vinrey said, "Anyway, our next step is equipment. You'll need a weapon, some armor, and your choice of uniform. I'll assume that outfit is getting on your nerves as much as it is mine."
    Marcus looked down at his white lab coat, fluorescent red shirt, and badly damaged and blood-stained khakis. "Yes, I suppose I could use a change of clothes."
    "Alright, you'll have your pick of clothes in the hold, but first we need to get you a weapon. We'll go to the second storage car, which also serves as our firing range.
    They all stood, and Bactus ushered Marcus out of the room. Vinrey stayed behind and grabbed a corded speaker from the wall next to him. There was a label next to the PA dock, "Don't touch or the Conductor will break your legs." It wasn't an idle threat. Gil still couldn't walk around the Infirmary correctly.
    Into it he said, "Ok boys, full steam ahead and don't stop until you see something exciting. Our destination is the next town, we're gonna get our reward." Cheers came from all cars, and various clanks and engine noises said that the train was moving once more.
    In the hallway, on their way to the indoor firing range, Vinrey probed Marcus.
    "So. You specialize in detection and concealment, is that correct?"
    "Yes, sir. The equipment I brought aboard is in the Nav pit, ready to be installed. I assume that's where my station will be."
    "Not really. I plan on you taking the inoperable cannon bunker on the top side of the caboose. It's empty, we sold all the machinery inside. Your first job will be to convert it into a radar array, and a bunk. It's where you'll be sleeping from now on."
    "Is there a bed up there?"
    "Not really. We might have a spare bunk in one of the holds, but you might have to make one. Don't worry, we've got lots of spare metal and cloth, it shouldn't be a problem. Ask Sparks if you need help with the welding."
    Marcus stayed in confused silence.
    Bactus cut in, "So he gets his own bunk? Room and all?"
    "Yes, Bactus. I know it seems unfair, but his job will be imperative, and we're short on space. That, and there's no insulation up there. It'll be boiling in the day and freezing at night."
    "Heh. Alright."
    "So. Marcus. Any ideas on a weapon? We've got all types, melee, projectile, explosive, projectile explosive, you name it."
    "I haven't really given it that much thought. I'm not much of a fighter, Conductor. I didn't exactly look forward to those swordsmanship lessons."
    "That's what guns are for. We'll hone your aim if we can't perfect your swing."
    They came up on a large steel door. Bactus walked over and hauled on it, it slid to the right reluctantly. Inside was something like a warehouse, but smaller. It had oil-stained concrete floors, and obvious metal girders holding the ceiling up. Lighting was a bank of lightbulbs every few feet. Boxes and crates were piled high, full of ammunition belts, round canisters, gun parts, guns, explosives, and various melee weapons. The far side of the room was cleared out. It left a bowling alley sized strip of free space, surrounded by corrugated steel walls. This was the shooting range.
    Vinrey pointed and said, "That's the shooting range. It's really sort of thin, so only one person at a time can use it. At the end of the range on the far side of the wall there's a concussion pad with a bulls-eye painted on it. That's your target. If you change your mind and pick a melee weapon, there are practice dummies in the Rec Car. If you pick an explosive or projectile explosive, you must practice whenever we stop, out in the desert. No explosions allowed on the train."
    He turned around and said, grinning, "Take your pick."
    Marcus was impressed. The Conductor's arms collection was astounding, there was enough ammunition to supply a small army. "I don't really know where to start."
    Vinrey laughed amiably. Bactus said, "It's ok, we'll start you off with the basics. After you get through our lessons, you'll have some quality time with the guns. Free use of the range has been given to you only today, so use it wisely."

    They stood in front of the long metal chamber, with Marcus pointing down toward the bull's-eye with a smoking pistol in each hand. He looked vaguely uncomfortable. "Are they always this loud?"
    "Yep. You get used to it," Vinrey said.
    They tried all sorts of guns, training Marcus in various styles of aim. He passed the handgun test, although Bactus sustained a minor head injury from a runaway revolver. He graduated to rifles, which he passed with flying colors, a rifle was the only gun he had ever liked. After that came sniper rifles. Semi- and fully automatic rifles came next, which he passed, but wasn't fond of the feel of a bullet hose. After he passed rotary gun training (with difficulty), Marcus gave the large gun back to Bactus. He said to Vinrey, "I don't know, Conductor. None of these really appeal to me."
    Vinrey shrugged and said, "Well, you've got all day to look for one you like. However, you'll have to do it on your own. You've passed all our tests, so you have free access to the armory and range. Don't forget to pick out some new clothes, and install that equipment in your room. All tools are in the other storage car. See you at dinner!" They exited the range.
    Marcus didn't even get to ask where exactly dinner was.
    He figured he should start looking. He had quite a bit of work to do. He stepped out of the range and looked in dismay at the piles of boxes. It would take forever to search all the containers.
    He figured he'd start at the closest box.
    It was a wooden crate with a hinge. He lifted the top and looked inside. It was full to the brim with grenades. Not likely.
    He tried the box to the left. He unfolded it, but it turned out to have nothing inside but ammo belts and round clips.
    Next.
    He looked to his left and saw a crate that was already open. He walked over and peered inside. He was disappointed again, just a few racks of pistols and bullet boxes. He shut the crate.
    But, right at head height, there was a long black box stuck between two stacks of crates. It was behind the previously open crate's lid. On top of the black box there were two smaller boxes, one green and one red. They seemed to be made of painted metal.
    He pulled out the long black box and set it down at his feet. There were two clasps on either side, he knelt and opened them.
    The box sprang open.
    Inside, there was what appeared to be a metal brick with a trigger. The brick had a laser sight on top, as well as an optical sight. It looked like a part of a gun, but it lacked a barrel.
    Curious, he picked it up and examined it. It was made of brushed black steel, not painted. The glass of the sights was red. Near the trigger on the apparent butt of the gun were two gray buttons. One had a picture of the gun itself on it, a mirror image of itself embossed in thin white lines. The second button was the same, except the gun now had an obvious, long barrel attached.
    Marcus was a smart guy. He put two and two together.
    He stood up, put the butt of the gun in the crook of his shoulder, and pressed the extend button.
    With a quiet ching, a long black barrel snapped out of the front of the brick. It hardly made any sound at all, but the rapid telescoping action should have scared Marcus to bits. The newly extended barrel was about four feet long, and was very light. He barely noticed the change in weight balance.
    He pressed the other button, and the barrel snapped soundlessly back into the gun.
    He looked back toward the two boxes. Green and red. He set the collapsible gun back in its case and opened the red box.
    The box was full of ammunition clips. The box was full to the brim with them, they were also made of red metal.
    On the side of each clip, a tiny picture of a flame was engraved.
    Fire.
    He opened the second box. The contents were exactly the same, except green. The symbol etched on the side of each clip was not a flame, but a skull and crossbones.
    Poison?
    Marcus concluded that this was a very high-end sniper rifle. Collapsible, silent, and painted black, with advanced sighting technology, what else could it be?
    Inside the box, there was a compartment for standard ammunition, as well as a gun care kit and a silencer. It was a sniper's dream.
    He decided to keep it. The gun had felt right in his hands, it reminded him of his old rifle. He strapped the gun case to his back and took an ammo crate in each arm. He exited the armory, he had a lot of things to do.

    In the galley, Vinrey and Bactus sat at their usual spot. The train was already halted on the tracks, and the smell of dinner was in the air.
    Vinrey asked Bactus, "Any idea what Lenny's cooking tonight?"
    "Yeah, I wrangled him into telling me a few hours ago."
    "How did you manage to 'wrangle' him into doing anything? I can't even think of anyone that can grab him around the waist, let alone 'wrangle' him."
    Bactus chuckled. "Yeah, I think ol' Lenny's had one too many of his own cupcakes."
    "He's finally out of tomatoes, right?"
    "Yeah, for sure. We're in for a treat tonight."
    "Well. Tell. Me. What do I pay you for?"
    "Not this. But alright. It's steaks. Fantastic, thick, juicy steaks."
    "Aw, I love Lenny's steaks."
    "Yeah, that guy's one hell of a chef."
    Vinrey looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah, he is. You know, with his talent, he could open up a five-star restaurant somewhere. Why's he cooking for a bunch of greasy dogs like us?"
    "I've thought about the same thing, Conductor. I can't really say why. It's a mystery."
    To their left, Lenny shouted, "Alright, you two. Come and get 'em." He put two plates on the serving shelf. Vinrey and Bactus picked them up and started eating with gusto.
    By this time, other crew members had started to file in. It was rare to have both tables completely full at any given meal, some crew members decide occasionally to skip a meal in favor of a project they were working on, or grab their food and take it out of the galley.
     Vinrey wanted to check up on Marcus. He could still be working on setting up that equipment. He was also curious to see what weapon he picked. Weapon choice often said something about personality.
     Bactus said, "Oi, I think that's our little cricket now."
     Vinrey saw, and he was impressed.
     "Heh. They grow up so fast, don't they, Boss?"
     Marcus's wardrobe had changes significantly. Instead of a bloody lab coat, he now wore a long-sleeved black shirt with a leather vest that had plenty of pockets. On his legs he wore black denim pants, with leather bracers on his forearms and greaves on his calves. A pair of circular blackglasses rested on his forehead. He noticed Vinrey and Bactus and sat across from them.
     Bactus chuckled. "Well, look at our little cricket. You look like you've been here for years."
     Vinrey asked, "Right, where's your weapon. I want to see what you picked."
     Marcus reached down to his hip and brought up the collapsible rifle.
     Bactus looked at it for a moment, then burst out laughing. He said through tears of hilarity, "Didn't anyone teach you to stick a barrel on a gun?"
     Vinrey said quietly with a smile, "Marcus, I think you've chosen half a rifle."
     Marcus didn't say anything. From across the table he pointed the would-be rifle at Vinrey. He pressed the extend button and the barrel snapped out, ending inches from Vinrey's nose.
     Vinrey stared cross-eyed down the barrel of the rifle.
     There was a flash, and the sound of steel on steel.
     Marcus was on the ground with Vinrey standing over him. Vinrey's pale right arm was extended out of his cloak, katana in hand. Marcus had the sword's point at his throat.
     Vinrey pushed the point forward, the sword poked Marcus gently. A bead of blood grew from the point where it touched.
     Vinrey quietly said, "Never pull a weapon on your Conductor."
     He let Marcus up.
     Marcus was shocked. He hadn't even seen Vinrey move. One second he was being smug, rifle in hand, the next the rife is in Vinrey's hand and he's on the ground at swordpoint. And Vinrey's arm... It looked ghostly. It was very white, as if it never got sun.
     Vinrey collapsed the rifle and gave it back to Marcus. Marcus started apologizing instantly, but the Conductor held up a finger for silence. "Don't. You've learned your lesson." He looked at the rifle in Marcus's hands. "Having that gun pointed at me again brings back memories. Where did you find it?"
     "In the Armory, in a black case."
     "Hm. With two boxes, red and green?"
     "Yes."
     "That's a very interesting gun you've chosen. I remember it now. It was given to me by a an assassin. He had been paid to take my life, but was... unsuccessful in his attempt. We fought, and he lost. He told me it was customary for assassins to give away their weapon to anyone that bests them in combat, and so he did. He also gave me a generous ammunition supply for it."
     "Do you know what those colors mean, Conductor?"
     "Yes. They're for special types of assassination, for groups of people. The red ones are extremely flammable, and ignite very stubborn fires on impact. They are used for burning down buildings, or killing a room full of people.
     "The green ones contain a potent neurotoxin in gas form. The gas is odorless and colorless, and will kill within five minutes. It is also used to take out groups of people, but deals no structural damage.
     "Now, ordinarily I allow free use of weaponry, as long as it doesn't hurt anything, but I think in your case I'm going to have to forbid you from using the toxic rounds unless you are told explicitly by me or Bactus. I will allow you to use the incendiary rounds, but not indoors.
     "Yes, sir."
     "By the by, are those scanners equipped?"
     "Yes. We have full scanner range and sight."
     "What about that concealment device?"
     "I'll have it finished in a few days, I think."
     "Hm. Until that equipment is complete, I don't want you working on anything else. I want to know exactly what it can do."
     "Yes, sir."
     The thirty-three members of the Sanguine ate their dinner cheerfully, each of them expecting a fat wad of cash and a trip to town tomorrow. Vinrey listened to bits of conversation as they went by.
     "Oi, Smitty, if you ever trip again, I'll cram a tomato clear up yer-"
     "What do you lot think of the new guy?"
     "Me? I'm gonna get me a new guitar. A nice, shiny acoustic."
     "Nah, give 'em to Boris. He likes cabbage."
     Vinrey smiled quietly. His crew was happy, so he was as well. He stood up on his chair and held up his hands for quiet. The cafeteria silenced. "Gentlemen, and lady. We've had a rough couple of months, but now we're going to get a bit of a reprieve. We'll pull into town at around nine o'clock tomorrow morning, where I will visit the nearest corporate outlet and get our reward. We're getting a fat lot of cash from these guys, so expect a fat roll in each of your pockets. While we're there, I'll restock the train, then we'll be off once more. I think we'll be stopped for a total of three days. Any questions?"
     A greasy looking hand, probably the same one from before, said, "Yeah, is there gonna be breakfast on the train, or do we get it in town?"
     "In the town."
     "'Ave we gotten another commission yet?"
     "No."
     "Do we have free weapon leave?"
     "Yes. Gimsey, are there any intelligent questions you'd like to ask?"
     "Yeah, Boss. one more."
     "What?"
     "What's the new lad's shoe size?"
     Vinrey just stared at Gimsey for a moment, then stepped down off his chair and exited the galley, headed for his quarters.

     Back in his bunker, Marcus was reading a book from Vinrey's ample collection. He was also monitoring the scanner screens, alert for any noise that would signal danger. After seeing the bodies of dozens of his friends and stepping in their blood, he was a little edgy.
     His room was dark, save for the turquoise glow of the screens. He hadn't yet found a light for his room. It was chilly, but he had found a small spare bunk and lots of blankets. The first thing on his list of things to buy was a spaceheater.
     The distant rumble of the engine and the gentle rocking of the train soon made Marcus drowsy. He decided to go to sleep. The next day promised to be interesting.
     Just before he clambered into his bunk, he head a gentle noise come from the radar. A steady beeping rhythm.
     Forgoing sleep, Marcus looked at the screens.
     About one hundred feet behind Marcus's current position, there was a void. A small one. It appeared a small section of spatial energy had ceased to exist.
     Suspicious, but sure it was a glitch, Marcus smacked the side of the monitor.
     The strange thing disappeared.
     'Hm. Faulty wiring. Have to remember to fix that.' he thought.
     He climbed into bed and fell asleep.

     Morning broke gently on the desert.
     The fledgling sun shone gently through a window, brightening Vinrey's quarters. The beams of light illuminated small clouds of dust motes floating in the air.
     The man himself was turned on his side, deeply asleep. It was about seven in the morning.
     The rays of light shifted slightly as the train traveled swiftly down the tracks. They came to rest on the Conductor's exposed arm.
     His crew often wondered why Vinrey wore a black cloak with goggles and a hat in the daytime. If they ever saw him with a minimal amount of clothing, they would understand.
     Vinrey's body was extremely pale. He looked ephemeral and ghostlike under all the black clothing, his skin almost appeared transparent. The only parts of his body that had any pigment at all were his jet black, shoulder-length hair and perplexing blue and yellow eyes.
     As the sun rested on his arm, his skin began to redden. Rapidly.
     The Conductor awoke suddenly, gasping in pain. He looked at his burned arm, and the open window. He rushed over and shut it, pulled the thick drapes across it, dimming the room. Panting, he touched his left arm, and instantly snapped his hand back, as if he had touched a hot frying pan.
     Vinrey's skin had a burn time of ten minutes. Every time he burned himself due to carelessness or otherwise, he cursed the way the modern world worked, and the memory of the five men whose lives he had taken so long ago.
     He morning-stumbled into his bathroom and put a cold rag on his arm, then started his shower.
     'What a great way to start the day,' he thought.

Description
    The glinting brightness of the whitewashed concrete and chrome of the installation hurt Vinrey's eyes. He pulled down a pair of black goggles from the top of his hat. Vinrey was noted for being photosensitive, and liked to keep the light levels on the Sanguine to a minimum.
    The man who had been shooting at him not ten minutes ago was leading him up to the white semi-circle that was the door to the building. They ascended a few steps, then the man walked over to the door and pressed his hand against a grey panel. It fell back into the door and a pneumatic hiss was heard. There was a clank, and the semi-circular door split in half rapidly, admitting them to the station's interior.
    They passed over the threshold, and the door slammed shut behind them.
    Ahead of them was a long white hallway with a high, ribbed ceiling. It was shiny and clean, but it gave the impression that this was due to lack of use rather than conscientious upkeep. Their steps echoed loudly.
    At the end of the hallway was a large room. To the left there was a staircase that led to a sort of indoor balcony that had a single white door in a wall on the landing. The wall on the right was convex, and entirely made of glass supported by a grid of steel beams. It let in an abundance of sunlight, there were no artificial lights to be seen. Vinrey noticed that the top row of panes was entirely broken out, with shards of glass clinging to the frames. There were no pieces to be seen on the floor inside.
    In the center of the room there was a low table with a few stools. White, keeping with the central color scheme of the rest of the building. A browning potted plant sat on the table.
    The man started toward the stairs, but Vinrey put a hand on his shoulder. The man stopped midstep.
    "Not so fast. Why don't we sit down and talk for a bit?"
    He calmly directed the man to the table and pushed him into a chair. Vinrey sat down across from him.
    Vinrey crossed his arms and leaned back. "Alright. In order to guarantee the safety of my crew, I need to know what you know about this place. It might give me some insight as to why we were told to... to rescue you."
    The man sighed. "Alright, I'll tell you everything I know." He paused, thinking.
    "My name is Marcus Black. I was assigned to this facility with one hundred and ninety-nine others."
    He paused again.
    "A few years ago I received a letter in the mail asking for my assistance. It had no return address, so I have no idea who sent it. It requested me to work at this facility, but not for free. The letter promised an exorbitant amount of money for three years' service here. I had no choice, really. I was running out of money, and I couldn't find a job." A pause. " The letter didn't outline anything, it just said to report to a set of coordinates if I accepted. I accepted, of course, and the coordinates led me here. All of us were standing here, with nothing but the clothes on our backs.
    "Up there," he pointed up to the indoor balcony with the single door, "a man in a deep blue suit came out of the door. He called for our attention, and we listened.
    "He told us that we would be living here for three years. Our jobs, during that time, would be to use the equipment in this building to monitor the area for any 'anomalies'. We had no idea what that meant.
    "He said that each of us was handpicked for specific reasons. Some of us were good with machines, some of us were electricians, others, like me, were scholars.
    "He left when he had given us our mission. Just scan for anomalies. That's it. He left through that same door and we never saw him again.
    "After that, I got to know that machinery of this place a little better. I know a good deal about electronic detection equipment, and the waves they emit. I sat down at the banks of blinking lights that no one understood and learned some things."
    He looked back toward the door.
    "This station is equipped with the most advanced detection equipment I have ever seen. They even have external photowave perception receivers, which aren't even supposed to exist."
    Vinrey looked blank.
    "Let me explain. An EPPR is a device that used a specific kind of light at a certain frequency to... see things. In real time. Using these machines, I could watch the glow-band in someone's house. I could spy on anyone, and even record it. It was my only link to the outside world.
    "The man had said, 'search for anomalies'. So I did just that. I used all monitors, scanning the entire planet for energy spikes, or anything that generally seemed impossible. I watched those screens for two years.
    "One day, something finally came up. On the screens. Out in the desert, only five miles from where we're standing, a little piece of the static energy field of the Universe just dropped out. Like a patch of air ceased to exist and stayed that way. I dialed the coordinates into the EPPR to see exactly what was going on there.
    "I saw a void. A complete nothingness. It looked like a patch of earth and the air around it just... nullified."
    Vinrey asked, "What happened?"
   "Things started to climb out of the emptiness. Creatures. Things that I had never seen before. Things that shouldn't exist. Oozing, fleshy demons with razor sharp teeth, and giant talons with scythe-like claws. They even had wings." He shuddered. "They started to advance on our position. They were flying directly for us. I got on the intercom and told everyone to grab a weapon, or hide, or anything. I pressed the button that we were told to press if there ever was an anomaly, or an emergency. This was both.
    "But before we knew it, they were inside the building! They were attacking everyone, devouring them, or just slicing them mercilessly. There was blood everywhere. They disemboweled people, gouged out their eyeballs and skinned them alive, then let the scream a while before eating them whole. It was like they had a single-minded intelligence that only existed to torture and maim people.
    "I ran. I ran down hallways I had never been down, just ran. I opened a series of doors and went down stairs. I wound up in a very tiny room that didn't really seem to serve a purpose. I could barely fit inside, but got in and locked the door. I could hear creatures running right past me, I detected the smell of blood they left behind and heard their cries. They passed within five feet of me, but never found me.
    "Hours went by. Eventually, the creatures stopped passing by. I worked up the nerve to step out and see if anyone was alive."
    He looked Vinrey in the eye. "I had to walk past bodies, Conductor. Bodies with horrible things done to them. Faces unrecognizable from beatings, brains exposed, limbs masticated or missing. Blood everywhere. It was a scene of horrible slaughter.
    "I went through the entire building. I kept count of the bodies I found, as well as I could. Some were indistinguishable from others... I counted one hundred and ninety-nine bodies. I had friends here, Conductor. I had to step in pools of blood that once belonged to people that I had to spend two years with."
    They were silent for a moment. Vinrey took in all of it, but found something odd in the grim situation.
    "Did you move the bodies?"
    "What?"
    "The bodies. I don't see any. And there's no blood, either."
    Marcus said, "The attack happened at night, no one was in this area. Everyone was either sleeping or in their rooms. All the carnage is behind that door."
    Vinrey was silent. All those people, killed for no reason, it seemed. What did this? Was anyone responsible?
    "Alright, I guess it's my turn to be honest. Me and my crew aren't here to rescue anyone. We were commissioned by a corporation to destroy this building for a lot of money. Now don't get me wrong," he said, seeing the startled look on Marcus's face, "we're not here to kill anyone. We were going to cram all of you aboard my train and dump you off at the next town, then blow up the station one you were gone."
    "Well, your load will be considerably lighter." Marcus said, with a touch of black humor.
    "Right. Mr. Black, I still plan on destroying this station. No offense to you or the deceased, but me and my crew need the cash. So I'm going to have to ask you to come with me."
    Marcus looked back up at the door. "I understand. The man who talked to us on the first day, he said there would be an immediate response in case of an emergency. It's been two weeks since the attack, and no one has come." He looked back to Vinrey. "I know you didn't come here with the intention of rescuing anyone, but I consider this my rescue. I don't want to be here. I entrust you with my friend's cremation." He straightened up. "But I have a proposition for you. More of a request, really."
    "What's that?"
    "I want to join your crew."
    "What? Why?"
    "Conductor, you must understand. All two hundred of us had one thing in common. After two years of conversing among ourselves, we found out that we all had no living relatives. None of us were prominent members of society. More or less, we were all recluses in our respective communities.
    "I have nothing to go back to. All I had was a tiny shack on a dingy street that I could barely afford. I hated my job. I had no friends. My life has been nothing but a series of disappointments so far, with this one the largest out of all of them. I want to start over. To try something else, other than the sorry life I led. Do you accept?"
    Vinrey was silent in thought for a few moments. He then said, "I don't know, Marcus. Being a mercenary of the rails is hard work. It is a life of lies, theft, and occasionally murder. We will not slow our pace for you. You will work hard, or be dumped off. There are thirty-two men on my ship including myself, and you will you will get to know them all, and know them well. You will be expected to work with them, and cooperate at all times."
    "I understand."
    "You will be assigned to a position, be it navigation, engineering, or whatever, based on your skills. And you will also be assigned a weapon. None of my crew goes unarmed."
    "Yes."
    "What are your skills, Mr. Black? What makes you think you'll be a useful crewhand?"
    "Well, I specialize in radar and detection devices. With the proper equipment, I'll be able so see anything coming for us. I also specialize in concealment. I have been working on a device that emits a wave-canceling signal, rendering any major craft invisible to electronic eyes. And I could uninstall the detection equipment from this place and put it on your train, for free."
    "Hm. We don't really have anyone that can do that kind of thing. Have any experience in weaponry?"
    "Not really. I took basic swordsmanship classes when I was a kid, but I'm really no good."
    "Hm. Tell you what." He uncrossed his arms and leaned forward. "I'll let you come aboard and assume active duty for a few days. You will be assigned a weapon and a position. I'll observe your performance and decide afterwards."
    Marcus stood up. "Thank you conductor. I pledge to work as hard as I can. You won't regret this."
    Vinrey stood and smiled. "I hope not, Temporary Railhand Black. We'll see."

    Inside the Sanguine, Bactus was nervous. His beard twitched. He drummed his fingers on the table.
    He was sitting in the Rec Car, in front of a badly scarred table.
    Bactus was perfectly aware of his Conductor's combat capabilities. He had both seen and faced him in battle, he was no pushover. But he couldn't help worrying for his Conductor. It's what he did.
    The door to the Rec compartment clacked open suddenly. A railhand in an engineer's cap stood in the frame, and said to Bactus, "Conduction Assistant, sir, the Conductor's back on board. And that guy's with him."
    Bactus stood up. "Thank you, Jarvis. You're dismissed."
    He left.
    Bactus reached below the table and pulled up his hammer. It was an old spike-driving hammer from the days when Bactus laid rails for a living. It was a dangerous-looking thing, a three foot pole with a three-kilogram head.
    He hefted it over his shoulder and walked out of the room, wondering what to expect of this newcomer.

    A voice crackled over the intercom. "Attention, everyone. The Conductor has requested everyone's presence in the Entrance room. So stop what you're doing and go there. Now."

    Vinrey and Marcus stood side by side in the light of the Entrance room's doorframes. All thirty-one others were standing inside the room itself.
    Vinrey opened his mouth to speak, but one of the greasier members of the crew interrupted him. "Oi, Conductor, we c'n barely see you! Can't we turn on th' lights, or shut that door or somefin'?"
    Vinrey gave the man one of his patented laser glares and he shut up.
    "Alright. Everyone, this man beside me is called Marcus Black. He's asked for permission to join the crew. I've-"
    He was instantly cut off by the other crew members loudly coming up with nicknames for Marcus.
    "Mark?"
    "Blackie?"
    "Lucius?"
    Bactus lifted his hammer above his head and yelled, "Next person to interrupt the Conductor is getting their head smashed!"
    There was instant silence.
    Vinrey resumed talking. "Right. As I was saying, Marcus will be a temporary member of the team for a few days. You will treat him as a member of the crew, no more, no less. If any word gets around to me telling of mistreatment, you will be punished accordingly. We will not slow our pace for him. Teach him whatever he needs to know, but do not slow down for his benefit. He needs to know what it's like to be a greasy rail-rapper like the rest of us.
    "Now get back to your stations and prepare to disengage the cannons. Our next objective is the destruction of this facility."

    Vinrey stood at the Nav station with the other Nav heads and Marcus.
    Vinrey spoke to the Lead Navigator. "Are the gunners in position?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "Right. Half-steam down track about a nyle and a half, then steambrake and lock for cannon fire." He turned to Marcus. "Want to see it happen? It's quite the spectacle."
    Marcus smiled in a tiny way. "Sure. Let's blow up some painful memories."
    "That's the attitude I like to hear." He grabbed the intercom microphone. "Lady and gentlemen, we are about to initiate a constant half-steam rate down track for about a nyle and a half, where we will stop, lock track, and open fire on the building. For this operation, all starboard side cannons will have no sight of the building, so if you are currently manning a starboard cannon, you may exit and go about your business, which I am sure will be climbing a ladder to watch the fireworks. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to listen harder the next time."

    The R. F. Sanguine rumbled down the tracks, kicking up a whirlwind of dust and sand in its wake. The old tracks groaned underneath the weight, but held.
    The scanning station started to fade in the distance, becoming blurry in the intense heat. It started to disappear.
    The Sanguine started to slow, pistons cranking with less frequency. After a few yards, it creaked to a halt. The pneumatic brakes released, blowing hot steam into the air with a piercing hiss.
    On top of the train, thirteen hatches sprang open, one on each car.
    The thirteen metal bunkers on the top of each car were a distinctive structures, no other train had similar apparatuses. There were also similar dome structures on the sides of each car.
    The track the Sanguine traveled down turned slightly, so the starboard side of the train was faced slightly away from the building. The bunkers on that side had no sight of the target, so they did not open.
    Once the steam from the braked dissipated, the train initiated firing lockdown. Metal clamps sprang from either side and attached to the tracks, anchoring the train firmly. A ratcheting came from the domes on the top and port sides of the cars. Massive barrels telescoped out of the hatches, each twelve feet in length and one hundred and eighty millimeters in diameter. Each cannon barrel swiveled toward the building, the top and port guns moving in unison. Barrel caps unfolded and radar sights engaged.
   There was silence.
   A few crew hands climbed on top of the cars, each of them wearing earmuffs. They were quiet, anticipating a good show.
    The steam whistle sounded. The fire signal.
    All at once, the twenty-six cannons fired. A massive concussion shattered the still desert air, and a team of twenty-six comets blazed visibly, rocketing toward the installation on a crash course.
    The blast echoed crazily, the roar of the explosive rounds could still deafen the unprotected ear.

    Inside, Marcus said through the din, "Conductor, you didn't tell me how much firepower you had! This is incredible!"
    Vinrey grinned like a fox.

    Out over the cracked plains of the rocky desert, the doomed building stood still. On one of the many stylized terraces of the roof, a shadowy figure watched the twenty-six rounds descend toward it. It seemed to shake its head, then push off of the roof and into empty space. There was a loud crack that could just be heard over the roar of the fireballs, and it disappeared in a cloud of dense black smoke.

    The crew of the Sanguine watched and listened to the rounds become more and more quiet as they descended onto the station.
    They each impacted the walls of the installation at the same time.
    From the crew's perspective, a huge mushroom cloud erupted in the distance, totally silent. The sound of the explosion caught up a few moments later, rumbling the ground and rocking the train on its anchors. It passed as suddenly as it came, leaving the crew's hair slightly rumpled, and if anyone had a hat, they lost it.
    The plume of fire lingered in the air for a long time, pieces of metal and cement could be seen falling to earth around the train. The spectators decided to go below before they were brained by incoming debris.

    Gathered in the Rec Car primary room, Vinrey, Bactus, and Marcus sat in comfortable chairs. It was a mystery as to how Vinrey had acquired these chairs, but it was widely assumed that they were stolen, one way or another.
    Vinrey said, "So, Marcus, feel any better?"
    "A little bit. Watching two years' worth of memories explode inspires mixed feelings in me, strangely enough."
    Bactus interjected, "Well, the past is the past. Vinrey is the only one that knows the pasts of the crew members here. It's an unspoken rule that we don't discuss it much. Once you step on this train, your slate is wiped clean. I can guarantee that no one will bug you about why we just blew up that building with only one extra person instead of two hundred. Or why you joined our crew. Or your shoe size."
    Vinrey and Marcus raised eyebrows.
    Vinrey said, "Anyway, our next step is equipment. You'll need a weapon, some armor, and your choice of uniform. I'll assume that outfit is getting on your nerves as much as it is mine."
    Marcus looked down at his white lab coat, fluorescent red shirt, and badly damaged and blood-stained khakis. "Yes, I suppose I could use a change of clothes."
    "Alright, you'll have your pick of clothes in the hold, but first we need to get you a weapon. We'll go to the second storage car, which also serves as our firing range.
    They all stood, and Bactus ushered Marcus out of the room. Vinrey stayed behind and grabbed a corded speaker from the wall next to him. There was a label next to the PA dock, "Don't touch or the Conductor will break your legs." It wasn't an idle threat. Gil still couldn't walk around the Infirmary correctly.
    Into it he said, "Ok boys, full steam ahead and don't stop until you see something exciting. Our destination is the next town, we're gonna get our reward." Cheers came from all cars, and various clanks and engine noises said that the train was moving once more.
    In the hallway, on their way to the indoor firing range, Vinrey probed Marcus.
    "So. You specialize in detection and concealment, is that correct?"
    "Yes, sir. The equipment I brought aboard is in the Nav pit, ready to be installed. I assume that's where my station will be."
    "Not really. I plan on you taking the inoperable cannon bunker on the top side of the caboose. It's empty, we sold all the machinery inside. Your first job will be to convert it into a radar array, and a bunk. It's where you'll be sleeping from now on."
    "Is there a bed up there?"
    "Not really. We might have a spare bunk in one of the holds, but you might have to make one. Don't worry, we've got lots of spare metal and cloth, it shouldn't be a problem. Ask Sparks if you need help with the welding."
    Marcus stayed in confused silence.
    Bactus cut in, "So he gets his own bunk? Room and all?"
    "Yes, Bactus. I know it seems unfair, but his job will be imperative, and we're short on space. That, and there's no insulation up there. It'll be boiling in the day and freezing at night."
    "Heh. Alright."
    "So. Marcus. Any ideas on a weapon? We've got all types, melee, projectile, explosive, projectile explosive, you name it."
    "I haven't really given it that much thought. I'm not much of a fighter, Conductor. I didn't exactly look forward to those swordsmanship lessons."
    "That's what guns are for. We'll hone your aim if we can't perfect your swing."
    They came up on a large steel door. Bactus walked over and hauled on it, it slid to the right reluctantly. Inside was something like a warehouse, but smaller. It had oil-stained concrete floors, and obvious metal girders holding the ceiling up. Lighting was a bank of lightbulbs every few feet. Boxes and crates were piled high, full of ammunition belts, round canisters, gun parts, guns, explosives, and various melee weapons. The far side of the room was cleared out. It left a bowling alley sized strip of free space, surrounded by corrugated steel walls. This was the shooting range.
    Vinrey pointed and said, "That's the shooting range. It's really sort of thin, so only one person at a time can use it. At the end of the range on the far side of the wall there's a concussion pad with a bulls-eye painted on it. That's your target. If you change your mind and pick a melee weapon, there are practice dummies in the Rec Car. If you pick an explosive or projectile explosive, you must practice whenever we stop, out in the desert. No explosions allowed on the train."
    He turned around and said, grinning, "Take your pick."
    Marcus was impressed. The Conductor's arms collection was astounding, there was enough ammunition to supply a small army. "I don't really know where to start."
    Vinrey laughed amiably. Bactus said, "It's ok, we'll start you off with the basics. After you get through our lessons, you'll have some quality time with the guns. Free use of the range has been given to you only today, so use it wisely."

    They stood in front of the long metal chamber, with Marcus pointing down toward the bull's-eye with a smoking pistol in each hand. He looked vaguely uncomfortable. "Are they always this loud?"
    "Yep. You get used to it," Vinrey said.
    They tried all sorts of guns, training Marcus in various styles of aim. He passed the handgun test, although Bactus sustained a minor head injury from a runaway revolver. He graduated to rifles, which he passed with flying colors, a rifle was the only gun he had ever liked. After that came sniper rifles. Semi- and fully automatic rifles came next, which he passed, but wasn't fond of the feel of a bullet hose. After he passed rotary gun training (with difficulty), Marcus gave the large gun back to Bactus. He said to Vinrey, "I don't know, Conductor. None of these really appeal to me."
    Vinrey shrugged and said, "Well, you've got all day to look for one you like. However, you'll have to do it on your own. You've passed all our tests, so you have free access to the armory and range. Don't forget to pick out some new clothes, and install that equipment in your room. All tools are in the other storage car. See you at dinner!" They exited the range.
    Marcus didn't even get to ask where exactly dinner was.
    He figured he should start looking. He had quite a bit of work to do. He stepped out of the range and looked in dismay at the piles of boxes. It would take forever to search all the containers.
    He figured he'd start at the closest box.
    It was a wooden crate with a hinge. He lifted the top and looked inside. It was full to the brim with grenades. Not likely.
    He tried the box to the left. He unfolded it, but it turned out to have nothing inside but ammo belts and round clips.
    Next.
    He looked to his left and saw a crate that was already open. He walked over and peered inside. He was disappointed again, just a few racks of pistols and bullet boxes. He shut the crate.
    But, right at head height, there was a long black box stuck between two stacks of crates. It was behind the previously open crate's lid. On top of the black box there were two smaller boxes, one green and one red. They seemed to be made of painted metal.
    He pulled out the long black box and set it down at his feet. There were two clasps on either side, he knelt and opened them.
    The box sprang open.
    Inside, there was what appeared to be a metal brick with a trigger. The brick had a laser sight on top, as well as an optical sight. It looked like a part of a gun, but it lacked a barrel.
    Curious, he picked it up and examined it. It was made of brushed black steel, not painted. The glass of the sights was red. Near the trigger on the apparent butt of the gun were two gray buttons. One had a picture of the gun itself on it, a mirror image of itself embossed in thin white lines. The second button was the same, except the gun now had an obvious, long barrel attached.
    Marcus was a smart guy. He put two and two together.
    He stood up, put the butt of the gun in the crook of his shoulder, and pressed the extend button.
    With a quiet ching, a long black barrel snapped out of the front of the brick. It hardly made any sound at all, but the rapid telescoping action should have scared Marcus to bits. The newly extended barrel was about four feet long, and was very light. He barely noticed the change in weight balance.
    He pressed the other button, and the barrel snapped soundlessly back into the gun.
    He looked back toward the two boxes. Green and red. He set the collapsible gun back in its case and opened the red box.
    The box was full of ammunition clips. The box was full to the brim with them, they were also made of red metal.
    On the side of each clip, a tiny picture of a flame was engraved.
    Fire.
    He opened the second box. The contents were exactly the same, except green. The symbol etched on the side of each clip was not a flame, but a skull and crossbones.
    Poison?
    Marcus concluded that this was a very high-end sniper rifle. Collapsible, silent, and painted black, with advanced sighting technology, what else could it be?
    Inside the box, there was a compartment for standard ammunition, as well as a gun care kit and a silencer. It was a sniper's dream.
    He decided to keep it. The gun had felt right in his hands, it reminded him of his old rifle. He strapped the gun case to his back and took an ammo crate in each arm. He exited the armory, he had a lot of things to do.

    In the galley, Vinrey and Bactus sat at their usual spot. The train was already halted on the tracks, and the smell of dinner was in the air.
    Vinrey asked Bactus, "Any idea what Lenny's cooking tonight?"
    "Yeah, I wrangled him into telling me a few hours ago."
    "How did you manage to 'wrangle' him into doing anything? I can't even think of anyone that can grab him around the waist, let alone 'wrangle' him."
    Bactus chuckled. "Yeah, I think ol' Lenny's had one too many of his own cupcakes."
    "He's finally out of tomatoes, right?"
    "Yeah, for sure. We're in for a treat tonight."
    "Well. Tell. Me. What do I pay you for?"
    "Not this. But alright. It's steaks. Fantastic, thick, juicy steaks."
    "Aw, I love Lenny's steaks."
    "Yeah, that guy's one hell of a chef."
    Vinrey looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah, he is. You know, with his talent, he could open up a five-star restaurant somewhere. Why's he cooking for a bunch of greasy dogs like us?"
    "I've thought about the same thing, Conductor. I can't really say why. It's a mystery."
    To their left, Lenny shouted, "Alright, you two. Come and get 'em." He put two plates on the serving shelf. Vinrey and Bactus picked them up and started eating with gusto.
    By this time, other crew members had started to file in. It was rare to have both tables completely full at any given meal, some crew members decide occasionally to skip a meal in favor of a project they were working on, or grab their food and take it out of the galley.
     Vinrey wanted to check up on Marcus. He could still be working on setting up that equipment. He was also curious to see what weapon he picked. Weapon choice often said something about personality.
     Bactus said, "Oi, I think that's our little cricket now."
     Vinrey saw, and he was impressed.
     "Heh. They grow up so fast, don't they, Boss?"
     Marcus's wardrobe had changes significantly. Instead of a bloody lab coat, he now wore a long-sleeved black shirt with a leather vest that had plenty of pockets. On his legs he wore black denim pants, with leather bracers on his forearms and greaves on his calves. A pair of circular blackglasses rested on his forehead. He noticed Vinrey and Bactus and sat across from them.
     Bactus chuckled. "Well, look at our little cricket. You look like you've been here for years."
     Vinrey asked, "Right, where's your weapon. I want to see what you picked."
     Marcus reached down to his hip and brought up the collapsible rifle.
     Bactus looked at it for a moment, then burst out laughing. He said through tears of hilarity, "Didn't anyone teach you to stick a barrel on a gun?"
     Vinrey said quietly with a smile, "Marcus, I think you've chosen half a rifle."
     Marcus didn't say anything. From across the table he pointed the would-be rifle at Vinrey. He pressed the extend button and the barrel snapped out, ending inches from Vinrey's nose.
     Vinrey stared cross-eyed down the barrel of the rifle.
     There was a flash, and the sound of steel on steel.
     Marcus was on the ground with Vinrey standing over him. Vinrey's pale right arm was extended out of his cloak, katana in hand. Marcus had the sword's point at his throat.
     Vinrey pushed the point forward, the sword poked Marcus gently. A bead of blood grew from the point where it touched.
     Vinrey quietly said, "Never pull a weapon on your Conductor."
     He let Marcus up.
     Marcus was shocked. He hadn't even seen Vinrey move. One second he was being smug, rifle in hand, the next the rife is in Vinrey's hand and he's on the ground at swordpoint. And Vinrey's arm... It looked ghostly. It was very white, as if it never got sun.
     Vinrey collapsed the rifle and gave it back to Marcus. Marcus started apologizing instantly, but the Conductor held up a finger for silence. "Don't. You've learned your lesson." He looked at the rifle in Marcus's hands. "Having that gun pointed at me again brings back memories. Where did you find it?"
     "In the Armory, in a black case."
     "Hm. With two boxes, red and green?"
     "Yes."
     "That's a very interesting gun you've chosen. I remember it now. It was given to me by a an assassin. He had been paid to take my life, but was... unsuccessful in his attempt. We fought, and he lost. He told me it was customary for assassins to give away their weapon to anyone that bests them in combat, and so he did. He also gave me a generous ammunition supply for it."
     "Do you know what those colors mean, Conductor?"
     "Yes. They're for special types of assassination, for groups of people. The red ones are extremely flammable, and ignite very stubborn fires on impact. They are used for burning down buildings, or killing a room full of people.
     "The green ones contain a potent neurotoxin in gas form. The gas is odorless and colorless, and will kill within five minutes. It is also used to take out groups of people, but deals no structural damage.
     "Now, ordinarily I allow free use of weaponry, as long as it doesn't hurt anything, but I think in your case I'm going to have to forbid you from using the toxic rounds unless you are told explicitly by me or Bactus. I will allow you to use the incendiary rounds, but not indoors.
     "Yes, sir."
     "By the by, are those scanners equipped?"
     "Yes. We have full scanner range and sight."
     "What about that concealment device?"
     "I'll have it finished in a few days, I think."
     "Hm. Until that equipment is complete, I don't want you working on anything else. I want to know exactly what it can do."
     "Yes, sir."
     The thirty-three members of the Sanguine ate their dinner cheerfully, each of them expecting a fat wad of cash and a trip to town tomorrow. Vinrey listened to bits of conversation as they went by.
     "Oi, Smitty, if you ever trip again, I'll cram a tomato clear up yer-"
     "What do you lot think of the new guy?"
     "Me? I'm gonna get me a new guitar. A nice, shiny acoustic."
     "Nah, give 'em to Boris. He likes cabbage."
     Vinrey smiled quietly. His crew was happy, so he was as well. He stood up on his chair and held up his hands for quiet. The cafeteria silenced. "Gentlemen, and lady. We've had a rough couple of months, but now we're going to get a bit of a reprieve. We'll pull into town at around nine o'clock tomorrow morning, where I will visit the nearest corporate outlet and get our reward. We're getting a fat lot of cash from these guys, so expect a fat roll in each of your pockets. While we're there, I'll restock the train, then we'll be off once more. I think we'll be stopped for a total of three days. Any questions?"
     A greasy looking hand, probably the same one from before, said, "Yeah, is there gonna be breakfast on the train, or do we get it in town?"
     "In the town."
     "'Ave we gotten another commission yet?"
     "No."
     "Do we have free weapon leave?"
     "Yes. Gimsey, are there any intelligent questions you'd like to ask?"
     "Yeah, Boss. one more."
     "What?"
     "What's the new lad's shoe size?"
     Vinrey just stared at Gimsey for a moment, then stepped down off his chair and exited the galley, headed for his quarters.

     Back in his bunker, Marcus was reading a book from Vinrey's ample collection. He was also monitoring the scanner screens, alert for any noise that would signal danger. After seeing the bodies of dozens of his friends and stepping in their blood, he was a little edgy.
     His room was dark, save for the turquoise glow of the screens. He hadn't yet found a light for his room. It was chilly, but he had found a small spare bunk and lots of blankets. The first thing on his list of things to buy was a spaceheater.
     The distant rumble of the engine and the gentle rocking of the train soon made Marcus drowsy. He decided to go to sleep. The next day promised to be interesting.
     Just before he clambered into his bunk, he head a gentle noise come from the radar. A steady beeping rhythm.
     Forgoing sleep, Marcus looked at the screens.
     About one hundred feet behind Marcus's current position, there was a void. A small one. It appeared a small section of spatial energy had ceased to exist.
     Suspicious, but sure it was a glitch, Marcus smacked the side of the monitor.
     The strange thing disappeared.
     'Hm. Faulty wiring. Have to remember to fix that.' he thought.
     He climbed into bed and fell asleep.

     Morning broke gently on the desert.
     The fledgling sun shone gently through a window, brightening Vinrey's quarters. The beams of light illuminated small clouds of dust motes floating in the air.
     The man himself was turned on his side, deeply asleep. It was about seven in the morning.
     The rays of light shifted slightly as the train traveled swiftly down the tracks. They came to rest on the Conductor's exposed arm.
     His crew often wondered why Vinrey wore a black cloak with goggles and a hat in the daytime. If they ever saw him with a minimal amount of clothing, they would understand.
     Vinrey's body was extremely pale. He looked ephemeral and ghostlike under all the black clothing, his skin almost appeared transparent. The only parts of his body that had any pigment at all were his jet black, shoulder-length hair and perplexing blue and yellow eyes.
     As the sun rested on his arm, his skin began to redden. Rapidly.
     The Conductor awoke suddenly, gasping in pain. He looked at his burned arm, and the open window. He rushed over and shut it, pulled the thick drapes across it, dimming the room. Panting, he touched his left arm, and instantly snapped his hand back, as if he had touched a hot frying pan.
     Vinrey's skin had a burn time of ten minutes. Every time he burned himself due to carelessness or otherwise, he cursed the way the modern world worked, and the memory of the five men whose lives he had taken so long ago.
     He morning-stumbled into his bathroom and put a cold rag on his arm, then started his shower.
     'What a great way to start the day,' he thought.