Risky Business

Risky Business



“Don’t we look the suspicious sort.” Katherine offered her companions a grin as she loosened the pistol at her hip in its holster.

Jack smirked back at her, and then glanced down at the valley once more. We’ll hear it long before we see it. “Suspiciously good looking, perhaps.”

Red belted out a loud laugh. It was a big man’s laugh, and it fit him well. His enormous stature compared with the small size of his vehicle was absurd. A hefty drill had been harnessed to his massive back as well, designed for cutting through sheet metal. Add his giant, bright red beard to the mix and he was almost comical to look at.

More accommodating to her bike, Kat was short and slender, with close cropped brown hair tied back behind her head.

Grasping the handles on either side of his monocycle, Jack pulled them forward and felt the engine underneath him spring to life with a thunderous rumble. They were designed for the rider to lie down on top of in order for them to function properly, with a single tire situated in the front of the cycle. He eased back up on the handles and the engine slowed down to a gentle purr.

The sun began to crest over the Iron Mountains. Its golden, orange light swelled in the deep ridges of the land, flooded through fields and spilled out into the valley below. Jack wiped off his brass goggles with a dirtied kerchief before strapping them back on, his soft bed a honey sweet memory. Crisp morning air had readied him quickly for the day’s events, and he kept an eye on the sloping foothills below them as he spoke.

“Remember, nobody move until we see the sign.”

“What’s that again?” asked Kat coyly, shooting a wink to Red. “I’ve forgotten since the last time you told us. Two minutes ago.”

Red spoke solemnly as he shifted his weight on his bike. “Asa is going to climb on top of one of them cars and strip for us.” Then after a thoughtful moment, added, “And dance, too.”

Before Jack could join in on the fun, a shrill whistle cut them off. Piercing the air louder than any bird could hope to dream, it split the air and sent Jack’s mind racing through their plans once again. All three engines roared together now, poised like cats ready to pounce.

A second whistle came, signaling the train’s whereabouts to all. No matter how much he prepared himself mentally for the increasing volume, it always managed to make his arms twitch. Jack checked his watch. 6:52.

“Do you suppose Asa will have any trouble this time?” asked Katherine. They sat waiting patiently on their bikes as they waited for their prey. Scanning the surrounding foothills, Jack’s mind continued to look for holes and errors in his plan. It was almost methodical to him now, but it only took one mistake.

“Only if he gets caught,” he replied, looking to where the train would appear at any moment. “But Asa never gets caught.”

Small plumes of cloudy white steam could be seen from their perch now, rising high into the air and fading into the sky. The whistle shot off a third time, rending the air. Finally coming into view, the train rapidly slid across the expanse of the valley below, moving like a black iron snake.

They all revved their engines, and Jack’s hands twitched, eager to ignite the powerful engine he lay on top of. Reaching back, he closed his hands around the polished handle of his pistol.

As the train glided along the iron rails set into the valley, a bright flash was seen in one of the last cars, which then promptly caught on fire. They watched as the last few cars in the line detached and slowed down, the gap between them increasing quickly. Flames licked at the car but the train plowed on, unaware of its peril.

Clenching the handles on either side of his bike, Jack squeezed while simultaneously releasing the foot brake. The engine underneath him screamed, a beast ready to escape. He peeked at Katherine and Red, and saw his anticipation written on their faces. “Hit it.”

Tearing down the steep mountainside, built in springs absorbed most of the impact from the rocks and debris that littered their path. Jack focused on evading tree trunks and giant boulders that barred his path and jumped out at him, trying to throw him off.  Turning his cycle deftly around these obstacles, he weaved through them with relative ease. Spotting a clear path ahead, he stole a glance behind to see that his companions had followed closely.

The valley was flat and grassy, which made it easy to maneuver in but slowed them down some. Not far away now, the train pounded along, thousands of tons of iron and steel and brass moving with enough force to crush anything that dared get in its way. With the added momentum of the mountainside, they were able to quickly cut through the valley and creep alongside the pumping iron vassal so far unnoticed.

Jack eased his cycle up as close to the side of the train as he dared. Coupling rods pumped back and forth beside him as the enormous driving wheels spun. If anything on his person were to get caught in them, he would get dragged down and crushed in a heartbeat. Carefully he reached back into a sack he had tied to the side of his cycle and pulled out a short, metal rod.

Before he could do anything with it, he spotted a rock jutting out from the grass directly in his path. Quickly pressing his hand controls down, he veered off to the side. The train rushed by as another ear splitting whistle sounded off. Gotta move fast.

Edging his bike closer to the side of the train, Jack pressed a small button in the center of the rod. He thrust it into a small hole in the side of his cycle. Coming to life with a dim flash, the rod stretched out and attached itself to the bottom of the car, keeping Jack’s bike in position.

Without too much difficulty, Jack pushed himself up with his arms and pulled his legs back until he stood on top of his bike, and chanced a glance ahead to see that Kat and Red were already making their way onto the car ahead of him.

Counting to three, he let himself fall forward and took hold of the iron rungs that had been welded onto the side of the car. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the gravel and dirt rushing past as the coupling rods plowed away. He snapped his neck back up and reached out to grab the next rung as he swung his body onto the side of the car. Never look down you fool.

Jack climbed up the rungs and took hold of Red’s outstretched hand, letting himself be hoisted up. Red unfastened the drill he had slung to his back, and Jack watched as he slammed it down onto the iron casing of the car’s ceiling. He started it up and the loud shrill of metal sheering through metal echoed through the mountains.

Winds rushed pass them as they crouched down on the railway car. Sparks flew from the drill. Jack pulled his revolver out from its holster as a plume of steam flew past them and dissolving into the air behind. Jack spat a bug out as the valley flew by.

The drill finally finished its business and Red pulled it out and slammed a meaty fist down on the area he had cut, literally punching a hole through the car. Jack jumped down into the empty railway car, followed by Kat and then Red.

“You two go so- south,” Jack said, tripping over his words and pointing with his gun to the car behind them. “I’ll go north and meet Asa.”

Jack made his way north to the next car. Finding the door locked, he kicked it but iron casing held it in place. With a shrug he leveled his gun and shot it, blasting off the handle entirely.

This time when he kicked it, it swung open hastily. He strode inside the car to a very shocked throng of passengers. Firing his gun straight up into the air won him several gasps and frightened looks. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced loudly, sauntering up the aisle as he eyed anyone who appeared mutinous. He bowed to the passengers with a flourish. “It is my pleasure to inform you that you are now being robbed by the infamous Jack Sheppard. Surrender your valuables, and mayhap I’ll let you live to tell the ta- tale.” So close.

The passengers began to peel off items of worth. Gold plated watches, silver necklaces, ruby and sapphire inlaid brooches, delicately carved diamond rings and even gold tooth fillings; Jack took it all. As well as their credits.

As Jack bent down next to a beautiful woman, he saw her shrink away in fear. Her eyes were large as she stared and offered her hand.

“I would tell you it pains me to do this,” he said as he plucked the ring from her finger. It had a purple sapphire set in it, with an intricate leafy design in the gold band. “But I wouldn’t want peop- people whispering that I’m a liar, now do I?” He dropped the ring into his pocket, his hand still entwined with hers. “At least that time I had an excuse, aye?”

The young man sitting next to her stood up at this, opening his mouth to protest but sat back down quickly when Jack put his gun in his face.

“Brave, but entirely foolish my friend.” He turned away to check that he had gathered all there was to gain. From the corner of his eye he saw the same man stand back up a second time and draw a gun. “This twit can’t even talk straight.”

Jack spun and fired his gun, sending the young man’s pistol flying out of his hands, and he fell back in his seat from the shock. A second man stood up at this, armed with nothing more than a top hat and cane.

Aiming his gun at the approaching man, he set the target over his heart. “I mi- might not talk straight, but I can sure as hell shoot straight.” The man stopped and pointed his cane at Jack with a sneer.

“Do you outlaws have no sense of justice anymore? Stealing from civilians.” He spat it out at Jack. He drew a very thin sword from out of his cane and pointed it at the blade Jack had hung loosely from his waist.

“Fight me, brigand.”

He knew it was bait, a trick he should ignore. Shoot the man and be done with it. Despite himself, a wide grin spread on his face and he holstered his gun and drew his sword, the gleaming metal cutting through the air.

Jack wolfed down the bait with pleasure. They crossed blades and steel rang out against steel. The cane sword was extremely light and the man slashed at Jack viciously with it, lightning fast.

Jack brought his sword up and parried the blows, side to side, stepping back as his opponent advanced. He managed to defend himself with ease; his thick steel easily absorbed the blows from the smaller weapon.

Back and forth they fought, up down left right, Jack stabbed with his sword but the man slid out of danger and brought his blade down on Jack, which he barely caught. The blows seemed to reign down on him now, coming faster and faster and from all directions.

His sword was beginning to feel heavier, as was the bag of goods he had clutched in his other. But his enemy only seemed to be getting warmed up as he spun and whipped his weapon at Jack, pulling it back and cracking it back at him, quick as a cricket.

He was going to tire him out. His opponent’s weapon was so light that it cost him little to whip it back and forth. Jack fended off the blows and watched the other man carefully, waiting for an opportunity. When he saw it he took his chance.

The sword came snapping back at him, and Jack parried the blow and threw his weight to the side, and pinned the weapon against one of the booths. Reaching back, Jack punched the man square in the face. Bones cracked under his gloved fist and the man tumbled over backward.

A sudden burst from the car behind him drew his attention. He whirled around to find Asa making his way toward him, his face anxious and covered in ash.

“We’ve got a problem,” he said, pacing quickly to Jack. He was panting heavily, and attempted to wipe some of the ash off his face with the back of his hand and succeeded only in smearing it further.

“Did Red get the safe open?” asked Jack, sliding his sword back into its sheath and replacing it with his revolver.

“They’re still working on it,” Asa said. “We’ve got greycoats.”

Jack cursed. “How many?”

“About a dozen.”

“How much time do we have?”

“I don’t know, maybe a minute?” Asa shrugged.

Jack gawked at him stupidly. “Could you be more specific?”

Asa returned the gawking look. “About sixty seconds?”

Jack raised an eyebrow as he replied demurely. “Right, naturally.”

As they made their way out of the car, Jack turned and bowed to his audience. “I do hope you enjoyed the show, I know I enjoyed per- performing it.” To his surprise, several of the passengers clapped. He turned on his heel and made his way to Asa, Red and Kat, the unbroken safe sitting before them.

“Can you crack it?” asked Jack, kneeling down next to them as Red disentangled his drill from it.

“Yes, but it’s going to take more time,” he said gruffly. “This thing is made of some kind of mixed metal. My drill can’t cut it.”

“We have to get out of here,” Asa cut in. He was sweating profusely, and his hair was plastered to his head. “They’ll be here any minute.”

Jack glanced from Asa back to Red, and then to Kat. She was giving him an apologetic look, as though it were somehow her fault. “Explosives?” He knew the answer before anyone had the chance to reply.

“We’d blow up the safe along with all the credits inside,” Red replied as he tinkered with his drill.

Mountains rolled by as the valley before them raced along, and a shrill whistle sounded. As though in response to the whistle, the sound of faraway sirens could be heard. Jack went through his options. Stay and get caught, run away and live.

“Let’s get out of here,” he snapped. He and Asa gave Red a boost through the hole they had already cut, who then lifted the rest out. The air felt cool as it kissed his face. Through narrowed eyes, Jack caught his first glimpse at their pursuers. Dim green lights flashed from their bikes as they closed the distance between them.

Slinging the satchel over his shoulder, Jack lowered himself down the welded ladder and started to climb down. His bike was still in position, the rod had held.

As he climbed down Jack felt his foot slip and his other arm instantly shot out and grabbed the rung to balance himself. Gravel rolled by rapidly when he looked down again, his heart beating in his fingertips. He tried to lower the bag onto his cycle but it had snagged onto a loose nail. He pulled on it gently, afraid of tearing the bag and losing the plunder.

He cast a furtive glance behind him. The greycoats had started to catch up to them now, and the flashing green lights were bright and sinister. Daring the risk, he gave the bag another tug. The others had managed to get onto their bikes and detach themselves, and were waving at him frantically.

Jack yanked harder on the bag and to his horror, felt it rip. Watches, gold rings and other trinkets all spilled out into the surging ground below. He cursed again.

Throwing away the bag, he jumped onto his cycle and detached it. He inched himself away from the car and sped off. Kat’s voice came in over the radio, barely audible over the static and wind.

“Don’t look now, but we’ve got company.”

Jack gave his engine full throttle as he blazed across the valley. He checked over his shoulder to find that a dozen greycoats were on his tail and closing ground quickly. Kat was right, I shouldn’t have looked.