Chapter 9: Shutting Down the Rail Line
The early morning sun cast long shadows over the desolate desert landscape as Buck, Abilene, and their allies from the Sand Vipers rode silently toward the rail line. The plan was risky, but the reward would be worth it. The train they were targeting was one of the most vital links in Mayor Boone’s illegal operations, transporting precious ore from his secret mines to the processing plant miles away. Shutting down that line would not only cripple Boone’s supply chain but also send a powerful message that they were not to be underestimated.
Buck rode at the front of the group, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of trouble. Beside him, Abilene kept pace, her face a mask of determination. Behind them, the Sand Vipers, led by their enigmatic leader Serpent, moved like shadows across the desert, their horses kicking up dust in their wake.
They had scouted the rail line the night before, identifying the perfect spot to set their trap. A narrow pass between two steep hills, where the train would have to slow down, offering them the best chance to derail it. The plan was simple: plant explosives along the tracks, wait for the train to approach, and then blow it sky-high.
“We’re almost there,” Buck said, glancing over at Abilene.
“You ready for this?”
Abilene nodded, her hand resting on the grip of her revolver.
“I was born ready. Let’s make sure Boone feels this one.”
Buck smiled at her resolve, but there was a seriousness in his eyes that spoke of the danger they were about to face.
“Just stay sharp. This is gonna get messy.”
As they approached the pass, Buck raised his hand, signaling the group to stop. They dismounted and began unpacking the explosives from their saddlebags. The Sand Vipers moved with practiced efficiency, their hands deftly working the wires and fuses while Serpent and Buck directed the placement of the charges.
Abilene crouched by the tracks, her fingers running over the cold steel.
“You sure this is enough to do the job?” she asked, glancing up at Buck.
“It’ll be more than enough,” Buck replied, checking the timer on one of the charges. “We just need to make sure the train’s going slow enough when it hits the explosives. Too fast, and it might jump the blast. Too slow, and the whole thing might just stop dead.”
“We’ll make it work,” Serpent said, his voice low and gravelly. He was a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, his eyes cold and calculating.
“Boone’s been using this line for too long. Time someone reminded him he doesn’t own this land.”
Buck nodded in agreement.
“All right, let’s get these charges set. Abilene, you keep watch. If you see or hear anything, let us know.”
Abilene moved to a nearby hill that overlooked the pass, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the approaching train. The desert was eerily quiet, the only sound the distant wind and the occasional chirp of a bird. She could feel the tension building in her chest, the anticipation of what was to come.
Time seemed to stretch on forever as they waited. The Sand Vipers had finished setting the charges, and now all they could do was wait for the train to arrive. Buck joined Abilene on the hill, his gaze fixed on the tracks below.
“You’re good at this,” Buck said quietly, breaking the silence.
Abilene glanced at him, her expression softening slightly.
“You mean blowing things up?”
Buck chuckled.
“That, and keeping your cool under pressure. Not many people can do that.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice,” Abilene replied, her eyes returning to the horizon.
“But thanks.”
They stood in silence for a few more moments before Abilene’s ears picked up a distant rumble.
“You hear that?”
Buck nodded, his face growing serious. “That’s our train.”
The sound grew louder, the rhythmic clacking of wheels on steel becoming more distinct as the train approached. Abilene could see the plume of smoke rising from the locomotive’s stack, a black column against the blue sky.
“All right, everyone, get ready!” Buck called out, his voice carrying across the pass. The Sand Vipers took their positions, weapons at the ready in case things went sideways.
The train rounded the bend, its speed decreasing as it entered the narrow pass. The moment of truth was upon them. Buck and Abilene exchanged a tense glance before turning their attention to the tracks below.
“On my mark,” Buck whispered, his hand hovering over the detonator. The train drew closer, the sound of its engine echoing off the hills.
“Three… two… one… now!”
Buck pressed the detonator, and for a split second, there was silence. Then, the earth-shattering roar of the explosion filled the air. The tracks buckled and twisted under the force of the blast, sending the locomotive careening off the rails. The cars behind it crumpled and toppled, spilling their contents crates of ore, tools, and machinery across the pass in a twisted heap of metal and debris.
The train skidded to a halt, smoke and dust rising from the wreckage. For a moment, it seemed like everything had gone according to plan. But then, from within the debris, came the unmistakable sound of shouting and the clattering of guns being drawn.
“Looks like Boone’s men didn’t go down with the train,” Serpent muttered, raising his rifle.
“Let’s finish what we started,” Buck said, drawing his revolvers.
“No survivors.”
The Sand Vipers sprang into action, descending upon the wreckage with guns blazing. Abilene was right beside them, her pistols spitting lead as she charged forward. The first of Boone’s men who emerged from the wreckage barely had time to react before being cut down by the onslaught.
But Boone’s guards were no amateurs. They quickly regrouped, taking cover behind the overturned cars and returning fire. Bullets whizzed through the air, pinging off metal and kicking up clouds of dust. The battle raged on, each side exchanging furious volleys of gunfire.
Abilene ducked behind a boulder, reloading her pistols with practiced speed.
“They’re putting up more of a fight than I expected!” she called out to Buck, who was nearby, picking off guards with deadly accuracy.
“They’re desperate,” Buck replied, his voice grim.
“They know what losing this train means for Boone.”
Abilene popped up from behind her cover, firing off a few rounds before ducking back down.
“We need to push them back, get them away from the wreckage. They’re too dug in!”
Serpent, hearing this, barked orders to his men. “Move in closer! Drive them out! No mercy!”
The Sand Vipers surged forward, their guns roaring as they pressed the attack. Buck and Abilene moved with them, taking out any guard foolish enough to show their head. Slowly but surely, Boone’s men began to retreat, unable to withstand the relentless assault.
As they pushed forward, Abilene spotted a particularly large guard taking aim at Buck from behind a pile of crates. Without hesitation, she sprinted forward, sliding into cover and firing two quick shots. The guard crumpled, his rifle falling from his grasp as he slumped to the ground.
Buck looked over at Abilene, nodding his thanks. “Nice shot!”
“Don’t mention it,” Abilene replied, a small smile on her lips.
The battle raged on for what felt like hours, but finally, Boone’s men began to scatter, realizing they were outmatched. The Sand Vipers chased them down, cutting off any chance of escape. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and blood, but when the last shot was fired, the only sound left was the crackling of flames from the wreckage.
Buck holstered his guns, surveying the destruction around them. The train was a total loss, and with it, a significant blow had been dealt to Boone’s operations. But it had come at a cost—several of the Sand Vipers lay wounded or dead among the wreckage.
Serpent approached Buck and Abilene, wiping blood from a cut on his forehead. “That was a hell of a fight,” he said, his voice weary. “But we did what we came here to do. Boone’s gonna feel this one.”
Buck nodded, but his expression was somber.
“We’ve hit him where it hurts, but this isn’t over. Boone won’t let this go unanswered.”
Abilene looked around at the fallen men, her heart heavy. “We need to get the wounded back to camp. They won’t last long out here without help.”
Serpent agreed, and they quickly set to work, tending to the injured and gathering what supplies they could from the wrecked train. The victory was theirs, but it was a bitter one, with the loss of life weighing heavily on their shoulders.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the battlefield, Buck and Abilene stood together, watching the flames flicker in the distance.
“This is just the beginning,” Abilene said quietly, her hand resting on Buck’s arm.
Buck nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
“We’ll take down Boone, Abilene. No matter what it takes.”
With that, they turned back to the camp, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.