Perhaps it had come to the end of the line. Although they had successfully navigated the dark streets without being detected thus far, the companions knew that it would only be a matter of time before their pursuers split up and surrounded them. They could only hide in the factories for so long.
It was then that Moptop spotted the train. "Over here!" he called to the others. The upper hatch was locked, but there were sufficient handles and footholds for everyone to ride on the outer shell. In the short distance, they could hear the clatter of the troops, who were in hot pursuit. It seemed there was little choice for their course of action.
The four took hold of the train's exterior and Dietrich pulled the starting lever, bringing the machine to life with a lurch. "Hold on!" The train pulled into the tunnel just as the troops rounded the corner, denying them a clear shot. Moptop could barely hear their curses as the train began to pick up speed, putting a safer distance between them. Perhaps everyone could breathe for a moment.
But it was not to be so! Morphine Girl screamed as the upper hatch suddenly popped open and The Wizard emerged.
"AHA!" The Wizard cried in triumph. "Excellent, another victim in my trap!" He brandished a metallic wand, taking aim at Morphine Girl. Moptop and The Creepster were helpless as they watched, for the train continued to accelerate, forcing them to hang on tighter than before. Several metallic orbs began to spin and pulsate around the wand as it charged up.
Luckily, the sound of the wind rushing across the surface of the speeding train was loud enough that The Wizard was unable to hear Dietrich sneak up behind him. With ease, Dietrich grabbed the robes of the much smaller man and tossed him overboard, then chuckled softly to himself. The Wizard's familiar, a clay beetle, shook a tiny leg at Dietrich in rage, then leaped off the train to join his master.
With the hatch now open, the four friends were able to jump inside the train, which was surprisingly well-furnished for a military vehicle. As they took their seats at one of the many restaurant-styled booths that lined the car, The Creepster pulled a bright orange bottle from his pack. "Soooo, who wants gargle-blasters?"
