This story for some reason gave me fits so if you find any typos we missed suck it up, skip it and enjoy the story!
A special thank you to my beta readers Qohart and Apple…may you speak to me again soon …and a very special thank you to Orrin for all your help on the things I couldn't find on my own. Hope you enjoy the story!
THE NIGHT OF THE HELL TRAIN
James West, Secret Service Agent for the United States Government, moved through the train like a man on a mission. He held a telegram in his hands, hot off the wire from the President, and he was eager to share its contents with his partner. He reached the lab his partner and friend Artemus Gordon seemed to be living in lately, something he was sure the wire would rectify. Jim put his hand on the doorknob, turned it and went inside.
The sight that greeted him both amazed and frightened him. Artie was bathed in a brilliant blue-white light, sparks shooting from his fingertips, his hair standing on end. Jim stood in the doorway transfixed, staring at his partner. He came to his senses and rushed forward pushing Artie off the circular metal stand he was on knocking him to the floor.
Removing his jacket, Jim placed it under Artie's head. Artie lay there, his body shaking, unable to make it respond, his eyes pleading for help. Jim loosened Artie's tie and opened the collar of his shirt not sure what else to do for him. Artie's breathing was shallow and extremely rapid. After several minutes his breathing slowed and he was able to speak.
"Thanks, Jim." Artie managed to croak.
"Are you okay, Artie?" Jim looked at him with concern.
"I will be." Artie panted, still breathing heavily.
"What were you doing? Was that supposed to happen?"
"I discovered why Loveless always uses flunkies for his experiments." Artie replied as he struggled to rise.
"What are you talking about?" Jim looked at him befuddled.
"I figured out why Loveless uses others to test out his theories, that's all. I was testing a theory I had about electricity. I wasn't expecting to get quite this level of response."
"Maybe you should abandon this experiment." Jim remarked.
"What? Nah…I just need to work some of the kinks out that's all." Jim could see the wheels spinning in his partner's brain.
"Well that's a problem for another day, pal." Jim remembered the hastily discarded telegram and retrieved it from the floor.
"Huh?" Artie looked at him confused.
"Read this, Artie. Jim said as he handed the wire to him and watched as Artie's eyes scanned the paper.
"San Francisco? We get to go to San Francisco? It'll be nice to see civilization again instead of all these one horse towns we've been touring collecting data for the Colonel."
"Hey, if we can wrap this case up quickly I think I can get us tickets to the symphony. I have a contact I can wire." Artie smiled at his partner.
"How about some companions? I think I can get us some." Jim clicked his tongue, when Artie rolled his eyes and turned his back to him.
"Man does not live on good music alone, Artie."
When he turned back to his work Jim shook his head and smiled. He kept his position on the wall, his eye on his partner as Artie began to putter around with his experiments.
"You need something, Jim?" Artie asked one eyebrow arched.
"The telegraph is that way, Artie." Jim smiled as he pointed toward the varnish car.
"I am well aware of the location of the telegraph key, James. But we won't be in San Francisco for a few days yet. I just want to tinker with this a little more." Artie frowned at the piece of equipment before him.
WWWWWWWWWW
The Wanderer pulled into the train station in San Francisco and the two agents disembarked. They headed for the local Secret Service field office and their prearranged meeting with Colonel Richmond. They entered the office and took seats after being told the Colonel would be a few minutes.
"What do you suppose the assignment is?" Artie asked his partner.
"I have no idea, Artie. Maybe counterfeiting or something along those lines." Jim replied.
"I got us companions for tomorrow night so whatever it is it better be something we can finish quickly." Jim whispered as the door to the office opened.
"Gentlemen." Colonel Richmond broke into their conversation, "If you please…" he gestured them into the office as Artie and Jim rose.
Once inside Richmond ushered them toward the vacant chairs and motioned for them to sit. The somber expression on his face made both men sit stiffly at attention. Artie risked a glance at Jim as Richmond cleared his throat.
"Gentlemen, I'm sure you are curious as to why you have been called all the way here when we have many capable agents already in the area." Richmond spoke as he opened a file on his desk.
"Uh...yes, sir, the thought had crossed our minds." Artie replied as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"What's the case, sir?" Jim asked, "Counterfeiting? Treason?" He ventured.
"It's sort of a transportation run." The Colonel couldn't meet their confused gazes.
"A...pardon me, sir," Artie leaned forward, "did you say transportation run? Surely there ARE a number of other agents you could have chosen from right here to take this."
"Yes, Mr. Gordon, I did say transportation run. You will be transporting the body of the Sultan of Morocco to Washington DC." Richmond looked at his agents solemnly.
"We have to transport a body...on the train...from San Francisco to Washington? Artie was shaking his head.
"The Sultan's body is worth just as much as if he still breathed." Artie and Jim exchanged glances.
"Sir?" Artie questioned.
"Let me explain, gentlemen. The Sultan of Morocco was not the most well liked leader. He was traveling throughout the United States raising funds for projects in his country."
"How is that possible?" Jim wanted to know. "We never heard anything about his being here."
"He was despised in his country because of his inability to keep the peace. He was traveling here under an assumed identity to keep himself from being killed." The agents made no comment so he continued.
"The person who can bring back proof of his death would be regarded as a national hero. There's a one million dollar bounty on him. Dead or alive gentlemen...so you can see how important it is that the Sultan's body reach Washington and get turned over to the Royal Chamberlain. Then it will be their problem." Richmond regarded the agents sitting before him.
"Gentlemen, I trust I don't need to remind you how new and fragile relations are with Morocco. Please do not mess this up."
"What…us, sir?" Jim asked with mock surprise.
"Trouble seems to find you two, Mr. West. Even when you are not doing anything and this mission has the potential for lots of it."
"What trouble? Aside from the odd person or two who might try to nab the body sir, is there something you haven't told us that we might need to know?" Artie asked not sure he wanted to know.
"Not unless you two are of the superstitious nature." Richmond looked at them.
"Not me." Artie replied and Jim laughed.
"Something you'd care to add to the conversation, Mr. West?"
"No, sir." Jim cleared his throat.
"As I was saying...the people of Morocco seem to believe that their dead are cursed until they are properly interred."
"Inter…you mean we have to cart a cursed body all the way back to…" Artie gulped.
"Nonsense, Mr. Gordon. Complete and utter nonsense...cursed indeed. We are more civilized than that or so I'd like to believe." Richmond rose and began to pace. "Gentlemen, this mission is of the utmost importance and I expect you to complete it in your usual fashion."
"Yes, sir." Gordon and West replied.
"When will we take possession of the sultan's...uh... remains?" Artie asked.
"The coffin is being loaded on the train as we speak. If you leave tomorrow morning you can be in Washington in a week to ten days." When the agents made no comments Richmond continued.
"The Royal Chamberlain…a Mr. Si Amed Ben Musa will meet you in Washington to take possession of the Sultan's remains." Artie and Jim glanced at each other.
"Something wrong, gentlemen?"
"Nothing, sir. We did have plans for tomorrow evening..." Jim began.
"Well, I am sure the ladies will understand. Now don't you gentlemen have a train to get to Washington?"
"Yes, sir." They said as they rose and quickly made their exit.