by Terry, Mark
Milo and the Gunslinger stepped off the dusty road and onto the buffalo grass, and the Gunslinger began speaking, “I have long been well served by you my friend. I know that since I rescued you on the Barbary Coast and my life became your burden, we have had many great adventures. But I am going to need you now more than ever. Our lifetimes may not extend into the untraceable night as we have foreseen. Our mutual friend has told us what is coming. He extended your life, helped me create my family, and is preparing to fight the onset of a humanity in control of the light.”
“Whatever you need master. Your life is my sole burden.”
“That’s good, Milo. Now, here is what I will need you to do.”
Interlude 46
Friday, March 17, 1893, 4:55 p.m.
The Burlington to Kansas City Line
“This device is used for x-rays. Useful for doctors on battlefield to diagnose broken bones, internal injuries,” Tesla said.
Edison nodded. “I have been playing around with a fluoroscope to examine internal organs.”
“What kind of resolution are you getting?” Tesla asked.
“Not very good. Very faint. I’ve made some improvements though.”
“Really?” Tesla asked. “How?”
“Have you tried calcium tungstate crystals?” Edison sniffed.
Tesla thought about it a moment and then slapped a palm on the table. “I should have thought of attempting a crystalline coating! You know, I experimented with a platinum coating and got decent results but I think you are right, I—” Glancing out the window, his words cut off. He bolted to the window and stared out.
“What is it?” the bookkeeper asked.
“Did you see?” Tesla asked.
“See what?” Edison asked. “Neither of us was looking out the window.” He came and peered over Tesla’s shoulder. “What should we be seeing?”
Tesla stared intently out the window for several moments, searching the hillside. “Nothing, I guess. I just thought I saw someone.”
“Someone out there? Not surprising. This is Missouri. Likely a homesteader or a hunter.”
Watching for several more moments, Tesla finally backed away from the window. “Yes, hunters or homesteaders. Of course.” He took a deep breath and turned away. “Anyway, as I said—”
“Look! There is someone out there!” Randolph exclaimed, pointing out the other side of the train.
Tesla turned back to look out. Indeed, a form could be seen in the distance. A man on horseback tracked them on the hillside to the north. The rider stood off too far to make out a face. Then the figure on horseback turned down the side of the mountain away from them.
Tesla pulled away from the window, reached above the frame, and pulled down a flexible tubing with a mouthpiece. He barked into it, “Odjednom!”
Within moments, Grgor and Simon both came in through the rear. Tesla led them to the far end of the car, freed a brass latch, and opened the large case in the corner. He drew a Winchester rifle and tossed it to Edison. The scientist withdrew two more rifles and handed one to the bookkeeper.
“I don’t know how to fire a weapon!” Randolph exclaimed, as he held it away from himself like it might go off at any moment.
“Point and pull,” Tesla replied. He held up the weapon in both hands, the barrel pointed at the ground. He checked the magazine, locked open the action, and handed it out to Ida. “You know how to use, yes?”
Ida nodded. “I went hunting with my father.”
Reaching back into the crate, Tesla pulled out two more rifles and handed one each to Simon and Grgor. With a final nod to Tesla, the two men went back out through the rear towards the freight car.
Interlude 47
Friday, March 17, 1893, 6:22 p.m.
Koeltztown Tunnel, Missouri
Wedderburn guided his horse down into the small gully and up the other side. Once on the ridge, he could see the train again as it curved at the far end of the valley and came in a wide arc back to the west in his direction. The tracks passed just in front of him a hundred fifty feet below. The ridge he rode on sloped downhill for half a mile to the south until it met the open valley floor parallel to the train tracks. He kicked the horse into a gallop.
Wedderburn glanced over his shoulder and saw that the train had rounded the curve, barreling up behind him now. The ridge sloped deeply, and the trees became thicker. In a moment, the sight between the train and him would vanish. Then it would be several minutes before he reached the base of the valley and would see the train again. As the column passed out of sight, he gave his mare another emphatic kick and continued to ride hard for his target. He drew a six shooter in each hand as the sound of the train drew nearer.
Tesla laid the barrel of the Winchester against the open window and bent low, peering out.
Edison addressed him, “Seriously, Nikola, if you’re worried about bandits, I don’t really think a single rider is going to try to attack a moving train.”
“I’m being cautious, all right? I suggest you do same.”
Ida came into the rear of the car and stood to the side of one window, peeking around and out cautiously. “Is there something you know that we don’t?”
Tesla shook his head. “Nothing would make sense. I can only say that it just doesn’t feel right. Too many things have gone wrong.”
“Look, Nikola,” Edison growled, “I am certain you are just being cautious but you’re scaring the bejeezus out of Randolph and the lady. Why don’t you lay down.”
At that moment came a sharp report from the distance and the window above Tesla’s head shattered. Almost simultaneously, a piece of the inlaid railing above Edison’s head burst into splinters.
“Okay!” he exclaimed and crawled over next to Tesla, crouching beneath the window.
“What’s going on?” Ida asked.
“They’re shooting!” Randolph called to her from his prone position on the floor.
“The train’s being robbed?” Ida asked.
“I don’t think so. There’s only one.” Tesla peeked over the windowsill.
“One man is robbing the train? What kind of crazy person?”
Tesla raised the gun up as if to fire, then didn’t, but kept the gun aimed out. He glanced at Edison. “Take position in sleeping compartment. Windows are bigger, and you’ll have better angle if he comes from behind.”
Edison nodded and crawled off towards the sleeping compartment.
“Mr. Randolph!” Tesla called out, without taking his eyes away from the fields in front of him. “I need you to keep an eye out on your side!”
“I’m afraid!”
“Buck up, Randolph. Be as brave as your fathers before you!” Edison exclaimed.
“My father believed in pacifism!” Randolph shouted back and stuck the rifle through the window, shattering the glass.
“Are they shooting again?” Ida shouted.
“It’s the bookkeeper,” Tesla said.
“I forgot to open the window,” Randolph muttered.
Another shot rang out.
“What in the name of heaven?” Ida shouted. Standing up fully, she carried the gun pointed down in front of her, one hand on the stock and one hand on the trigger. She walked over in front of the window. “Hey!” she screamed out the window, as if anyone would be able to hear her.
Tesla crouched nearby. “Ida, get down!” he yelled, tugging at her, but she did not budge.
She cocked the Winchester and fired. A repetition of shots came from outside. The wall next to Tesla splintered and the rest of the window shattered. Ida went to her knees.
“What did you think you were doing?” Tesla asked, exasperated.
“It’s just one man,” Ida said.
“You’re lucky you didn’t get yourself shot.” Tesla shook his head.
“Yes, she’s lucky,” Randolph muttered, as he sank to the ground, legs spread and a blossom of red spreading on his shirt above his heart.
“He’s
been shot!” Ida shouted and crawled to him.
From the sleeping berth there came several rifle cracks and Ida laid on the floor of the car on her stomach.
A moment later came a triumphant cry from Edison, “I got him! I got him!” Edison came out holding his rifle up in the air with one hand, triumphantly. “I shot the bastard!”
Tesla looked up at Edison, then back out. He couldn’t see anything. “You shot him? And he went down?”
“Well, I didn’t shoot him. I shot his horse. And, hell yes, he went down. His horse went down. He went with it!”
Ida had gotten to her hands and knees and was scampering across the car towards Randolph when everything went black.
A high pitched scream came from the darkness.
“Ida!” Tesla shouted.
“Randolph is the one screaming, thank you very much,” came back Ida’s low, calm tone.
A moment later the soft illumination from the electric bulbs above spread across the car.
“What’s happened?” Ida asked, trying to peel back the bookkeeper’s jacket as Tesla came in.
“Don’t panic. We just went into a tunnel. We’re going to pass on the other side of the hills shortly.”
“It’s over,” Edison said triumphantly as he came to the doorway. “The son of a whore can’t follow us without a horse, and soon we’ll be on the other side of the mountain!”
Tesla looked thoughtful for several moments, licking his lips. “Yes, we’re safe for now.”
“I need clean water. I have to dress this wound,” Ida said.
Randolph coughed and moaned in pain. Tesla cleared his throat in annoyance and moved to the other end of the car where he sat down.
Edison shook his head. “Randolph, you clumsy oaf.”
Randolph had a second coughing spasm, and looked up at Edison. “I’ll be all right, sir. I’m always honest with you, aren’t I? It’s not that bad.”
“Yes, you are always honest, Randolph.” Edison looked at Tesla and Ida with a furrowed brow.
Wedderburn picked himself up off the ground. His mare had collapsed underneath him and flung him headlong over it a dozen feet beyond. He looked down at the dirt all over the front of him and brushed it off. He bent down, picked up his hat and shook it off as well. He sniffed the air, looked around, cleared his throat and spit a wad of phlegm. Then he took a breath, brushed some twigs and dirt from his hair, put his hat on his head, and went to his dead horse. He got down on one knee beside it, and stroked its neck gently.
“It’s all right girl. You did your best.” He turned to stare up towards the rocky hillside in front of him. “It’s not over yet.” He ran.
Ida had a bandage over the bookkeeper’s wound. She moved away from him and over to the basin in the first berth. Tesla tried hard to avoid looking in Randolph’s direction, but she got his attention and beckoned.
“I don’t know if he’ll live,” she said, washing her hands. “I don’t think the bullet pierced the heart or a vital artery, but we need to get him to a doctor.”
“We can’t stop until we get to Kansas City,” Tesla said curtly.
“He may not make it,” Ida said matter-of-factly.
“We won’t make it if we don’t get to Kansas City by nightfall,” he said, looking away.
“Why? What is going on, Nikola? What aren’t you telling us? What aren’t you telling me?”
Tesla didn’t answer, but moved over to a window and sat down again. A moment later, sunlight burst into the car as the locomotive emerged from the hillside. Tesla stood up, grabbed a Winchester and cocked it, glancing out first one side of the train, then the other.
“That was Rocheport Tunnel. We’ve still got a little over an hour to reach Kansas City.” He pulled up his sleeve to look at his watch. “And the sun is going to set in about ten minutes.”
Edison pulled off his shirt and wrapped the bookkeeper’s shoulder with it. Randolph moaned slightly. Ida applied a wet rag to his forehead.
Edison stood up and turned to Tesla. “That didn’t look like a train robbery. Someone out there shot at us. I don’t know why anyone would want to shoot at me and least of all my bookkeeper. I doubt anyone would want to shoot Miss Tarbell.”
Tesla stared out the window as Edison spoke. He took a deep breath and had begun to turn towards Edison to address him when his mouth clamped shut. A heavy sound emanated from the roof. Then footfalls with the distinct metallic ping of spurred boots traveled from the end of the car towards the engine.
Tesla, Edison, and Ida all grabbed rifles, staring upward as if looking intently enough, they might be able to peer through the wooden rafters. Their Winchesters pointed at the ceiling, they paused as the footsteps reached the end of the car, then stopped.
A shot rang out from above and one of the tables sent up a shower of splinters. All three let loose with a round of fire, blasting into the ceiling in all directions, until their Winchesters clicked empty and they were breathing hard.
For several long moments, the three remained crouched, staring up.
Edison moved first. “I don’t hear anything,” he whispered. Bent low, he made his way to the back of the car.
“Wait!” Tesla said hoarsely.
Edison waved him off and made his way to the rear, past the berths and into the sitting area.
“Now do you want to tell me what this is about, Nikola? I know you know something!” Ida demanded.
Tesla inched his way towards the covered transom linking his car with the dining car, looking out both sides, as if expecting a figure to jump out. “I don’t know what to say to you. I don’t know what you’d believe.”
“Try me,” Ida said.
“Randolph!” Edison shouted from the front. Tesla and Ida turned and ran to the rear of the car. Edison threw open the rear door and looked both ways.
“Randolph!” Edison shouted again.
“What’s the matter?” Tesla called out.
Edison turned with an expression of fear and loss.
“John Randolph is gone!”
Interlude 48
Friday, March 17, 1893, 7:18 p.m.
Warrensburg, Missouri
Edison came through the covered transom from the dining car. “The porters don’t know a thing. They notified the engineer we lost a passenger. I told them to stop the train.”
“No! You can’t. We have to keep going. We have to get to the city,” Tesla said loudly.
“What is going on? Right now. Explain,” Edison said, pointing a finger.
“He’s right, Nikola. You aren’t telling us everything. What is going on?”
Tesla looked from Edison to Ida, affronted by the suggestion. Then he scowled, set the Winchester against the wall and slumped onto a sofa seat. “His name is Wedderburn, as far as I know.”
“Wedderburn? That’s it? Where is he from?” Edison asked.
“We had a reason to meet in Europe,” Tesla said, wincing.
“Why?”
“One of my early lighting experiments had some technical problems. The exhibit collapsed and killed a young woman. Mr. Wedderburn’s companion, I believe.”
“His wife? Your exhibit killed his wife?” Ida asked, horrified.
“No!” Tesla held up a hand. “Not his wife. But someone of significant emotional attachment, apparently.”
“What happened, Nikola?” Edison demanded.
“After the accident, he came to see me. I believe he wished to kill me.”
Ida swallowed.
Edison cradled the Winchester in his lap and glanced out the window. “Go on,” he said, nodding his head, eyes solemn.
“Well, his attention came around to several of my inventions—fluorescent bulbs, wireless lighting. He began asking questions. I kept some distance between us. He asked me questions all night. Morning came around,” Tesla sighed and rubbed his temples. “I had harpoon gun I used for weapons experiment. I held it up to protect myself. He promise
d to return next evening to finish what he’d started.”
“And what happened the next evening?” Ida asked.
“I left town during the day. He chased me across Europe for a year. Every time I thought I had lost him, he appeared again. Then I came to America and I thought I had gotten away for good.”
“Well, apparently not,” Edison said.
“But you were watching out for him. You knew he might be here,” Ida said, pointing at Nikola.
Tesla looked at both Ida and Edison, then nodded slowly. “He burned down my laboratory in New York. I knew I had to move quickly. He may also have had something to do with a disturbance in Chicago.”
“So it’s very personal,” Edison said, still glancing from window to window.
“It’s more than that.” Tesla sat up, looking out the window. The sun had slowly dropped behind the horizon of the Missouri plains. “It’s also about experiments. Tell me, Mr. Edison. What caused such a severe delay in your travels?”
Edison looked at Tesla, confused. “The air brake system failed.”
“Unusual?” Tesla asked, looking at him intently.
Realization seemed to dawn across Edison’s face. “The mechanic said he had never seen anything like it. If he hadn’t known better he might have thought it was sabotage.”
“It’s not just me he’s after. He’s after electricity. Lights, power,” Tesla waved his hands, “modernity.”
Ida gasped, covering her mouth. “But, that’s insane,” she said. “Why would anyone kill over that?”
The car received a bone-rattling jolt. Thomas Edison had to place one hand out to steady himself and the bump jolted Ida from her seat and dropped her on the floor. Tesla looked out the window and saw that the sun had dropped completely behind the horizon.
“To the front of the car!” Edison shouted. He and Ida ran past Tesla, down the hallway holding their Winchesters.
“Those won’t do you good now,” Tesla said coming up behind them. He picked up the Excimer on the table, flipped a switch and several arcs of electricity sparked around the weapon.