webnovel

Train

Both Raiden and Joel stepped out of their building. Their destination was Tokyo and they decided to cover the distance by train. 

According to the position of the sun it was around 9 o'clock as they walked past the large buildings. Sun wasn't too bright that day and a cold breeze always ran down the street so they enjoyed their slow walk. 

Both of their bags were on their back and they carried a big bag between them which had all their food and water. 

They kept on walking without talking and without encountering a single zombie. All the roads were empty. 

After 2 hours of walking, they finally reached the railway station. They looked around before entering in. And, they entered after inspecting the area around the station.

Inside, they couldn't see lots of trains. And, right at that time, a question popped up into Raiden's mind.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! We decided to go by train but we actually can't use them. Tch. Why did we bother coming all the way here and why didn't I think about it earlier." Raiden said in disappointment. 

"Why? What happened?" Joel asked.

"Like," Raiden pointed towards the trains, "Look around you, all of these trains work on electricity, and electricity had long gone in this world."

Joel let out a sigh, "What do you think that I don't know about this? And, didn't I already tell you that I had used several trains in Russia."

Raiden still was confused, "So how are we supposed to get these trains working without any electricity?" He asked.

"Just don't use these electrical trains," Joel said as he jumped down on the tracks.

"Hey! Wait, where are you going?" Raiden had also jumped down. He followed Joel through all the trains. 

They reached the very backside of all the trains and there laid down a very old train.

"See this," Joel jabbed at the old train as he turned around to face Raiden. 

"Oh, now I get it, we just don't have to use those electrical trains when we have this diesel working train."

Right in front of them stood a very old model of Freight Trains. A train that solely works by the use of diesel. The ignition of diesel fuel pushes pistons connected to an electric generator. The resulting electricity powers motors connected to the wheels of the locomotive. Thus it starts the working of the wheels.

It doesn't require any source of electricity as it generates electricity by diesel.

"Yes. You know, when I entered Hokkaido, before taking hold of that car I passed by this station, that was when I noticed this train and thought of going to Tokyo by it after visiting my parents grave." Joel said.

"So you had already planned all of this, well nothing less expected from the military commander."

Joel rubbed the back of his head while laughing.

"So let's get going then?" Raiden asked.

"Ahh yes, you go inside the train, I will bring Japan's map from the counter. They always have lots of maps stored in there."

Joel ran off to get the map.

'Well I already have a world map in my bag but I will let him do whatever he wants,' Raiden thought as he inspected the train.

The train had a big engine and only one coach attached to it. 

Raiden climbed the engine through a small ladder attached to the engine on the right side. There was a small platform between the driver's compartment and the first coach. The platform was covered with railings.

Raiden moved ahead towards the compartment. He opened the door and entered. There was a seat, a window at both sides, a big glass at the front, and lots of different equipment which confused Raiden. Making a train move was not a part of his work. 

Joel reached there and climbed over the ladder. He carried two bags, one on his back and the second by his hand.

"Man, you totally forgot the bag of our goods at the station. I had to carry it here." Joel said.

Raiden ignored what Joel said and asked, "You sure you can get this complicated thing to move? It all looks like a real mess to me."

Joel snickered, "Who do you think I am? It's not a big deal for me to get a train into motion. Joel carried both bags into the compartment and placed them down on the right side. 

Raiden left the seat for Joel and stood at the left window. Joel sat on the seat and stretched his arms. 

"Okay, so first thing is to pull a lever which is outside the compartment. I had already pulled it when I climbed up by the ladder."

"Umm, I don't need to know how this thing works, just get the train moving already," Raiden said.

Joel immediately pointed towards Raiden which startled him for a second, "Now open that big box behind you and turn around all the switches.

Raiden turned around and opened the door of the box. There were lots of switches in it. Raiden turned all of them on.

Raiden looked around and saw that Joel was already at work. Flipping some switches, pressing some buttons, he did things just like a professional. At last, he pushed a lever up. 

Raiden experienced a sudden shock wave. He stumbled over but grabbed over the window to maintain his grip on the floor. He looked out of the window and noticed that the other trains were going backward. For a moment it looked like that but he realized that their train had started moving. 

Joel had folded his arms and a smirk appeared on his face as if he was proud of his work.

"What the hell, it actually started moving," Raiden said with a surprised look. He peeked through the window again to confirm if the train was actually moving.

"Huh, so what did you think I was bluffing when I said I know how to start a train?"

Raiden laughed and smiled at Joel, "You are awesome, man." 

Their train with one engine and one coach emerged out between all the other trains. It made a slight noise of wheels rubbing against the rails. And, it moved ahead while cutting the cold breeze. 

Chương tiếp theo