Fiction A.C. Hall

A Saga of Revenge

Part Three: Bixby’s Train Ride




Bixby closed his eyes as the train began speeding down the tracks. He couldn’t remember the last time he had slept and was hoping this train ride would present him with a chance to catch a quick nap. His eyes snapped open as he heard the door to the train car whoosh open. It was a security bot. Bixby hated robots. He eyed it suspiciously as it walked slowly down the aisle, its metal feet thudding heavily against the floor with every step. It stopped in front of him. Bixby knew something was wrong but as he pulled his gun the security bot grabbed him by the throat.

“Initiate program: eliminate Bixby.”

As the powerful hydraulic hand of the bot tightened around his throat he brought his gun up to the bots head and prepared to fire. The security bot tossed him sideways with ease. He flew down the car and slammed into the door, his sight going fuzzy for a second from the impact. He fired twice, striking the security bot but doing no damage. Bixby knew he needed to re-group, so he stood up and quickly ran through the door behind him. He expertly walked across the thin connectors holding the back car to the rest of the train. The wind whipped at him as the scenery sped past in a blur. He knew the security bot chasing him was getting close, so he moved into the last car quickly. He stopped in his tracks as he saw what was inside. A hundred robotic voices chimed out, one on top of the other, as row after row of security bots activated.

“Initiate program: eliminate Bixby.”
     “Initiate program: eliminate Bixby.”
          “Initiate program: eliminate Bixby.”

He heard movement behind him and turned to see the security bot that had been chasing him charging towards him. As it lunged at him he stepped to the side and gripped its arm, then fired four quick shots into its shoulder, blowing the arm off. He swung the arm out wildly as it spewed hydraulic oil everywhere. He was careful not to slip in it as he moved backwards out of the car. The security bots surged towards him and Bixby threw the oil spewing arm at them and shot it in mid air, causing it to explode and blow apart many of the closest security bots in the process. More explosions followed as the spilled hydraulic oil ignited in the car. Bixby quickly dropped down and unhooked the connectors between the cars. The train pulled quickly away from the burning car full of security bots. Bixby returned to his seat but didn’t even entertain the thought of trying to rest. He’d soon be at his destination. The city where Tavern X was located, the city where he’d finally confront the man he hunted. The city where he would die.

 

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