Chapter 21:

Arynn leaned up with what strength she would muster watching the two men stand at the helm of the subcar. The train passed the opening of the tunnel and rode out into the morning horizon. The sun reflected off of the sleek old metal of the train showing off the large scratches from Hernandez's struggle with the Civetateo. Tripper couldn't see where the tracks were leading to; all there was were thick clouds of settling dust and sand.

"We need to slow down" Tripper said.

"I've been trying to apply the breaks—" Hernandez answered.

"Stop the train!" Arynn yelled.

The two men looked at her. She was pointing to the side window at the outline of the crater.

"The train is headed straight for the edge!" she shouted.

"****!" Tripper replied.

"What about the ETO?" Hernandez shouted, "We still have miles to go before we reach the destination!"

There was an outburst of laughter coming from the rear of the train. The group looked to the commotion. Peter was chuckling against the wall with his hands still cuffed.

"What's so funny!" Tripper demanded.

Peter continued to laugh ignoring the commando's statement. Tripper rushed over and got in his face. He kicked him in the side.

"There never was an ETO!" Peter yelled as a bead of blood dripped off his lip, "I programmed the train at random to reach the outside." He started laughing again.

"Tripper!" Hernandez yelled.

"What!" Tripper called.

"We gotta get off this train."

Tripper looked back at the scientist.

"How the hell do we stop the train" he demanded.

"How should I know? I'm not an engineer…" Peter said struggling to lean back up against the wall. Tripper punched the man in the face. Peter opened his jaw and felt the blood in his mouth. He then spit it on the commando's shoe.

"We have to abandon the train." Tripper shouted, ignoring Peter.

Arynn could still see that the train was running a steady course. Its speed was not entirely fast but it still was dangerous to just simply jump out.

"Hernandez, get Arynn—go to the 2nd car—meet me there." Tripper ordered.

"What are you going to do?" Hernandez asked as he scooped up the young woman. She held on tightly to the soldier while the Commando stayed quiet.

"Just do it, Eddie. I'll follow you."

Tripper gave his friend an assuring smile then turned his back to the front of the train.

Arynn continued to watch the commando as Hernandez led her out of the first car and into the second. Whatever the lead commando had planned, she hoped it didn't mean sacrificing himself to just to carry it out.

Inside the second car, the sun beamed through various parts of the subcar revealing the carcass of a Civetato and other remains of animals who died long before. The soldier quickly went for the back door and opened it. The two were now facing lone tracks and the dark silhouette of a mountainous structure. Arynn narrowed her eyes, the structure was half natural and slightly man-made…it was like a big fortress…an Umbrella fortress. She wondered how long it had been there or was it recently constructed.

Hernandez led her along the side of the train. He stood waiting for Tripper. Arynn could see that the train was getting closer to the cliffs.

"Where is he? He should've followed us out by now," she said.

Hernandez remained quiet.

Back in the train, Tripper leaned against the wall with his arms folded watching Peter. The scientist watched the commando with scornful eyes.

"What's happening to my friend and why haven't I changed?" Tripper asked.

"The O-virus changes depending on blood type." Peter said.

"What's going to happen to Arynn?" the commando questioned.

"We have more planned for her." Peter strained to stand himself up against the wall. "It's not too late to get your cut…" the scientist insisted.

"What's in it for me and my friend?" Tripper asked.

"More than you will ever know."

"I'm going to make sure that you not only spend the rest of your life behind bars," Tripper started, "but I will personally see to it that all your little 'experiments' will be destroyed."

"Do what you want, I have my connections, there are others who know my formulas" Peter said, "If you join me, I'll make sure your name is cleared of all things related to Umbrella. I can do that, Joseph, I can give you back what dignity you lost that day. I can make it disappear and you can fly once again…"

The commando thought to himself, then grabbed the scientist by his arms and pushed Peter towards the door.

"I take that as a yes?" Peter asked.

"Well take that as, no matter what happens, I need you alive."

Outside, Arynn and Hernandez still were waiting. The soldier's body was twitching, he was hoping his colleague would come and then they could exit but he wasn't even sure if Tripper had plans on leaving.

"Let's go," called Tripper's voice from the rear of the car. Arynn and Hernandez looked to the side and saw a still tied up Peter followed by the lead commando.

Arynn held on tight to Hernandez as she could feel his muscles tense.

"Now!" she heard Tripper yell.

Hernandez launched Arynn out towards the desert and he followed closely. They tumbled harshly along the rocky desolate terrain. Tripper pushed Peter out and then he jumped off just as the rear train had reached the cliff and was about to plunge down to the ruins of the city below.