Operation: Pacifica, Chaos on the CalTrain
by Trooper Palaemon, Doberman Empire


Saturday Morning, 10:00 AM




 "This is Jenny O'Donnell, KXTV News. The Mayor cut the ribbon on
  the new Garkon Corporation Building this morning. He welcomed Garkon as an
  exciting new business leader in the Bay Area, and said that the opening was
  a major victory in his battle to bring new jobs and businesses to San
  Francisco.  Frank Knoxworth, Chairman of Garkon, said that he was very happy
  to be here in such a great city as San Francisco, and was looking forward to
  a long and prosperous relationship with the city. Back to you, Roger."


 The practically empty northbound commuter train lurched a bit,
  reminding Palaemon that he was indeed nursing a whopper. "I knew there was a
  good reason that I had quit drinking in the first place," he thought through
  a head full of mush. The Empire had timed his very first call-up perfectly.
  The morning after his first serious drinking binge in two years. "I have to
  look at it this way. I was going there anyway. I still have this hangover. I
  might well do my job while I'm there," he muttered almost audibly.


 Palaemon took a moment to look out the window. The California
  coastline really was very pretty, much nicer than his native New York. He
  tugged at the single long, gray, curly lock that fell from his left temple,
  trying to collect his thoughts. "I'm just glad that this is all the gray I
  have," he mumbled, which made him feel better, as it usually did.


 Having never seen the Jihad in the flesh before, he compared
  himself to the image he had of them. He wasn't at all sure he was going to
  fit in with his picture of uniformed, soldierly fighters carrying advanced
  weaponry and performing military functions with split-second efficiency.
  Palaemon looked pretty much like what he was, an arty type from the East
  Village in New York City. He had brown curly hair down past his shoulders
  and was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt that said something obnoxious.
  "Gawd, I hope they don't make me cut my hair or something. That would be
  truly depressing," he thought as he admired the passing seascape.


 Suddenly, the train lurched more violently than usual. Palaemon
  felt his head bounce hard off the seat in front of him and snap back to hit
  his own seat back. A horrible shriek filled the air as the car he was in
  lifted into the air and sailed over the side of the cliff leading down to
  the ocean. A sickening adenoidal voice whispered, "At least we have one of
  you," as the car smashed into the water.


 The snapped electrical cables of the stricken train car snapped and
  hissed as they came into contact with the water. After a few moments, the
  car erupted into  huge explosion and fire hurtled into the sky. Wreckage was
  thrown for miles. Somewhere nearby, a siren rang out.


An hour or so later...


 "This is Jenny O'Donnell, KXTV News. I'm here, just south of San
  Francisco, where the rearmost car of a northbound CalTran commuter train
  bound for the city from San Jose was separated from the rest of the train,
  was thrown into the ocean and then exploded. There were no bodies found
  among the wreckage, and the car was believed to be empty. According to
  CalTran's best estimates, no one was injured in the accident. The Coast
  Guard is, however, continuing to search the wreckage, looking for any signs
  that someone might have been on board the rear car of this train. More
  updates as the situation progresses. Back to you, Roger."


Meanwhile...


 At the docks, the mighty of the Jihad were preparing for a mission.
  The Legendary Names were all there, planning and strategizing. The lower
  ranks were scurrying around the port area, making sure all was in readiness.


 There was a sentry on the docks, keeping an eye out for unwelcome
  guests.  Now, of all times, the Jihad needed to prioritize security first.
  Orders had not yet filtered down from the top commanders yet, but barracks
  scuttlebutt indicated that this was to be an operation of major proportions.
  All the heavies from all over the country had been assembled, a gathering of
  firepower not seen recently. The sentry's orders were simple. Disable anyone
  without a *very* good reason for being here. Needless to say, he took his
  orders seriously.


 The sentry's attention was captured by movement coming out of the
  water.  "This is Checkpoint 6. I have something," he snapped into his field
  comm-link. "Get me some backup." A few minutes later, 5 other guards had
  joined him at the dock. They watched as a human figure dog-paddled up to the
  end of the dock and hauled himself up onto it. "Stop. You're not wanted
  here. Turn back now, or face security measures," the sentry barked. The
  figure started up the dock, pretty much ignoring the guard. "This is your
  final warning," the sentry threatened. He took a closer look. It was
  definitely a human, although looking particularly seedy. He had long hair,
  mostly unusual in that there was a single lock of gray coming off the left
  temple, currently plastered wetly to his head, and was wearing some rags
  that looked like they had been burned off his body. "Sheesh. Someone give
  this clown a quarter and send him on his way," one of the backup sentries
  laughed. "Cut the crap. You heard the orders. If he doesn't stop in the next
  two seconds, fire," the first ordered. The man didn't look like he was
  stopping. "All right, set for stun. We'll have him in for questioning.
  Ready...fire!"


 Six large energy weapons fired off at once, dousing the man on the
  dock in a coruscating field of charged particles. Soon, he was invisible
  inside the energy field.


 "OK, I think that's enough. He's *got* to be out. That much charge
  would have taken out a battalion of elephants. I hope Command doesn't get
  upset about excessive force." The sentry started off down the dock to
  collect the body of the prisoner.


 "I wish you wouldn't do that. I've had a really shitty day," said
  the man on the dock, trying to shake the smoke out of his raggedy hair. "My
  head hurts, and this harbor is gross for swimming in. Hell. I thought it
  would at least be nicer than Jones Beach." If anything, he looked even worse
  than he did when he came up onto the dock. What little was left of his
  clothes were burned and smoking. An awful hiss of steam came up off him as
  the water-logged clothing smoked.


 "Someone kill this guy. Fast!" the sentry shouted. "and notify
  Command! NOW!"


 One of the sentries changed the settings on the large rifle he was
  carrying.  "Setting to projectile," he stated. A burst of explosive shells
  streamed from his rifle and impacted the man with a massive CCRRRRUUMPP!!
  sound.


 For a moment, it was quiet.


 From a bit farther down the dock, the man picked himself up and
  started back down toward the sentries. The hair on his almost completely
  exposed body was singed and smoking. From what was left of his pants pocket,
  he lit a crumpled cigarette from his still burning arm hair. "Is this really
  necessary?" he asked the uncaring sky, rolling his eyes heavenward.


 As the sentries looked uncomprehendingly at the still-living man,
  who was approaching them, a new voice cut in from behind. "Well, Trooper.
  Good to see you finally made it. You're late, and you missed your pickup at
  Ghirardelli Square." He paused, then continued, "I see you *do* like to make
  an entrance."


 Palaemon laughed helplessly, "Does anyone have anything to eat
  around here?  I'm starving. And maybe some clothes would be nice. And a
  shower? Sir." He saluted casually, more of a wave, really, and then shook
  hands with the shadowy-looking figure in solid black behind the guardsmen.


 Warrior Hyperion Perazim laughed as well. "Come on, Trooper. Let's
  get you cleaned up. You look like shit. It doesn't look like you need
  debriefing, judging from the condition of your clothes. And I'm waiting with
  breathless anticipation to hear you explain how it is you're still alive.
  I'm sure it's going to be fascinating." They started back toward the
  headquarters complex, still laughing.


 The guards stood for a moment and looked at each other and shook
  their heads. "What the hell was that?" one asked. "I'm not sure I want to
  know," the original sentry answered.


 After a few more moments of confused staring and headshaking, they
  went back to their posts.


A couple of hours later...


 "This is Jenny O'Donnell, KXTV News, reporting live from this
  morning's CalTran wreck. Searchers have found evidence that points to there
  having been one person in the car that fell into the ocean and exploded.
  Torn fragments of clothing and a section of canvas believed to be part of a
  backpack or duffel were recovered. No body was found, and no evidence
  pointing to who the owner of these items were. Divers are searching the area
  around the wreck for the body of the missing, and assumed dead, passenger of
  the wrecked CalTran train car. I'll have a full report when KXTV News airs
  at 5 PM."


Trooper Palaemon of the Doberman Empire