"Oh God," I said, squinting in the sunlight. I took out my glasses out and put them on, brushing red curls off my face. "What is that thing?"
Jon turned and smiled at me.
"Only you would curse a dead religion's god, Narelle," he said, then frowned, turning back to the thing, "It's a train, I think. People used them to go from place to place. It's quite overgrown now though."
"Like that heli-thingo we saw last week?"
"Heli
copter." he corrected, "Yes, but different. Trains used to travel quickly on tracks on the ground. Helicopters could fly. Of the two, trains were far more common."
"Why?" I asked, "Why would you go along the ground when you could fly instead?"
"Flying was more expensive, and it was harder to find someone who could direct a helicopter. Trains were used in everyday life to go short distances as well as long."
"Oh. So where's the guy we were supposed to meet?" I asked. Jon frowned for a moment before answering.
"I don't know," he said, "He said to meet at the train station, near that old statue."
"The Statue of Liberty, New York’s most famous landmark," I said. Jon knew everything there was to know about old technology, but culture was in my area of expertise. "Jon, they say you could see it for kilometres. Or rather, for 'miles' as they said in old times. If trains were as common as you say, there could be any number of these… these 'stations' all around the city."
“True, but there’s only one station with the four-six-oh-nine at it. Trust me Narelle, we’re in the right place.”
Before I could respond, I saw a figure walk into view, in the distance ahead at the far end of the station. The figure did not approach.
“Jon, could that be him?” I said hopefully, then worriedly, “He couldn’t be a Lawkeeper could he? Jon what if this is all a set up?”
“If it was,” Jon said calmly, “They would not reveal themselves to us. They would already be upon us if this was an ambush.”
“Jon, I don’t like this. What if they’re waiting for us to incriminate ourselves first?”
“We’ve incriminated ourselves enough just by showing up. It’s fine Narelle. He’s just checking us out first. Come on.” He started down the station. I followed reluctantly. As we drew closer, I could make out the man more clearly. He was a tall man, big, muscly, with broad shoulders. He wore an old fashioned suit. Garb like that was forbidden now. Mankind was to throw off all ties to the old life and begin anew. The Resistance supposedly wore suits as a sign of rebellion, to cast allegiance to the old ways and the old way of governing. That was what we had heard. He had a square face, with dark hair and a short beard. His eyes were blue, I noticed as we came yet closer. He held up a hand to stop us.
“Identify yourselves,” he said gruffly.
“I’m Jonathon Reed,” said Jon, proffering his right hand as he had been instructed to do. “And she is Narelle Cook. You called me here?”
“You were supposed to come alone,” said the man, but he took Jon’s hand and shook it. Just as the people of old would have done upon meeting.
“Narelle and I are… close. We come as a package. You want me, she comes too.”
“Very well,” said the man, “Walk with me, and we shall talk.”
We walked along, me nervously, Jon casually, the nameless man with a sure and dangerous gait.
“I represent the Resistance, as you well know,” began the man, “and we need your assistance. Of course, to become one of us you need to make the Pledge before a Council, but for now, do you swear that no word of this meeting will go outside the Resistance?”
“I so swear,” Jon said formally.
“I swear too,” I said, less formally but no less sincerely.
“Good.” said the man.
“Excuse me sir,” I interjected into the momentary silence, “But do you have a name we can call you?”
“My true name is none of your concern. But you may call me Mr Badger.”
“Why badger?” I asked.
The man smiled. “A minor character in one of my favourite books. As I am only a minor member of our society, it seems fitting.”
“So what do you need us for?” Jon asked.
“We are always looking for new recruits,” said Mr Badger, “But we need you for more than that. We need your… particular expertise. Let me get straight to it. We need you to get the trains up and running again.”
“Why?” I said, feeling quite irrelevant.
“Numerous reasons,” Mr Badger said, “Many of our bases are built around train stations. We need to cart weapons, funds, people, from place to place with speed. A working railway system under our control would be greatly advantageous. It would give us quick access to much of the continent!”
“Doesn’t sound as important or as exciting as it hoped,” Jon said disappointedly. “But I think we could do it. Narelle and I. Together, mind you.”
“Of course. And it’s a much more important mission than you might think,” said Mr Badger, “For one thing; this is only one step in our plan. After that, we have a much more exciting project for you.”
“Do tell.”
(I thought that picture looked very similar in theme to the other picture, so I continued the story from the other character’s point of view. I realise it’s a bit slow, but I did enjoy writing it. Anyways, please critique!)