The sun shone brightly in the dawn of the next day. By then, word of Jackson's death had spread around like wildfire, only to those who needed to know, of course. As one story led to another, Christine's past soon joined the widespread train of conversation. Christine didn't mind others knowing about the things she did, it was their opinions that scared her. So, she did the only logical thing and stuck with the one Defect that had an equally controversial aura: Thunder.
Thunder wasn't much of a talker, but that was fine with Christine. She could talk to a brick wall, and Thunder basically was a brick wall. As they drove, she talked and talked. It wasn't until they reached the county line, did Thunder hold out his door. Christine collided with it, cutting herself short.
What, what? She asked.
Thunder closed his door. I'm looking at someone that I thought I would never see again.
Christine followed his gaze across the Choctaw County line. Sitting in a ditch was a Peterbilt, dusty and dented. Thunder began to cross into the county, but Christine held him back.
Hey, what're you doing, it could be dangerous. She hissed.
Thunder growled, arcs of electricity blooming around him. Over the time since he joined the Army, his powers had become stronger and more controlled. I'll take my chances.
The truck drove across the county line, Christine following close behind. As they approached the rig, Thunder's electricity died down. Across the truck's front was a large spatter of blood.
Smokey. Thunder growled.
What? Christine snapped.
And here I thought I'd killed him, but it was you all along.
Christine looked at the rig. The blood was definitely questionable, and one of its headlights was broken.
Does it… does it have a name? She asked Thunder.
His name's Rig, at least, that's what Dreamer would always call him. Thunder explained.
Dreamer?
Thunder sighed. Just… nevermind, help me get him back to Cooter, yeah?
O-okay…
Thunder drove around to the side of the truck, pressing his side against Rig's. Electrical sparks flew between the two, and the truck woke with a fearsome roar. Its sunvisor bent with a groan, creating an angered expression. Black smoke billowed from his smokestacks as he shifted into gear.
Christine. Thunder warned, backing away from Rig.
Ye-yeah? Christine stammered fearfully.
Drive!
Christine turned and sped back towards Hazzard County, Thunder following her. Rig roared once more and charged after them. As they were chased back into Hazzard, Thunder began attempting to formulate a plan.
Thunder, what do we do? Christine screamed.
I'm working on it! The truck replied.
Rig honked his horn, jolting the two of them with fear.
That's it!
What's it? Christine asked.
He can only chase one of us at a time! On the count of three, we'll split up!
But we don't know who he'll go after! No offense, but better you than me, you're faster!
But you can repair yourself!
Alright, it doesn't matter, just count!
One… two!
Today, Thunder!
Three, go!
At that, they each veered off in different directions. However, instead of following either one of them, Rig screeched to a halt. Thunder, too, slammed on his brakes, whipping around. He stared down the trail to see Rig sitting in the road. Cautiously, he began to roll towards the truck. As he got closer, he could see that Rig was shaking, and his sun visor was straight, no longer sporting an angered expression.
R-Rig? Thunder ventured.
The truck burst out laughing. You should have seen yourselves, so scared!
Thunder sighed. Pussycat just had to ride with Dreamer, he couldn't have ridden with someone else.
I made the bad man go splat.
I know you did.
Is Pussycat coming back?
Thunder grew silent for a moment. No, Rig, Pussycat's gone, he's never coming back.
Never?
Never.
Just then, Christine approached carefully. Uh, what happened?
Rig was just messing around. Unfortunately, he conformed to Pussycat's personality upon becoming a Defect. However, he somehow has the IQ equivalent of a three-year-old human child.
That's disappointing.
I'm sure he'll get better in due time, but for now, we need to get him to Cooter and fill him in on what's been going on.
Good idea.