There are EXE6 spoilers in this chapter, which manifest themselves as a character. However, this character does not spoil anything from that game, as this fic takes place in the anime continuity. The character also hasn't appeared in the anime at this time.
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Chapter
5: The Train Job
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'' Why are we walking again?'' Lloyd groaned.
It was close to midday as the six rebels trudged across the landscape.
Slate signed and came to a stop. '' Because we can't afford to drive everywhere. Gas is very expensive to obtain on the black market.''
'' Then why don't you get a hydrogen fuel cell or a hybrid...''
'' Come on!'' Butch shouted. '' We can't afford to keep stopping! If we keep this up, we'll miss the train!''
'' No.'' Slate said, holding up a hand. '' I think that our newest recruit needs to be mentally disciplined.''
He walked over to Lloyd, then asked, '' You grew up in a city, correct?'' a slight edge to his voice.
'' Yeah.'' Lloyd answered. '' San Diego, to be exact.''
'' So you're West Amerropian... Anyway, what was life like there?''
'' It was decent. Good economy, infrastructure, education...'' Lloyd began.
'' Hmph. Well, none of us grew up in cities. Life is difficult out here, because everyone out here that doesn't work for T-Corp is treated like daiben. All of us have had our own hardships, pray that you never do.'' He began to walk away, then stopped. '' And walking is good for you.'' he added.
'' What was that about?'' Terry asked Butch as they proceeded to walk. '' As far as I could tell, he never made a point.''
'' Slate is a bit more subtle than that.'' Butch explained. '' He was sending Lloyd the message that isn't easy for all and that he needs to grow up because life won't always be kind to him.''
'' I guess that's true.'' Terry said to himself. '' The world certainly has been rough for us.'' Saito and Rockman came to mind.
'' So, you do this every month?'' Lloyd asked, changing the subject.
'' Yes. We walk to the train depot near here, sneak onto the recently loaded supply train, then steal several cargo containers from it.'' Vick explained.
'' But, how do you get them back to HQ?''
'' T-Corp has already taken care of that.'' Butch began. '' For ease of transport, the containers are loaded onto flatbed trucks, which are in turn loaded onto the train. We simply hijack the trucks and get outta there. After we unload the cargo, we siphon off most of the gas in the tanks, then auto program them to return to the depot, empty.''
'' Look, there it is!'' Karla said, pointing.
The depot was fairly large. Most of it consisted of a rail yard, though there was only on train there at the time. Next to it was an administrations building and several warehouses. Any empty land was cluttered with various machines.
'' How much time until the train is scheduled to leave?'' Slate asked his navi. '' Approximately 20 minutes, Akira-sama.'' Zero replied.
'' Good, plenty of time.'' Slate nodded, satisfied. '' Let's go everyone.''
There were barely any guards, so they managed to reach the train. There was a little room to stand between cars, above the coupling. Slate turned to the metal door of the closest boxcar. '' Alright, let's get started on getting this door open. Then we, nani!''
The train gave a lurch and slowly started to pull away from the depot. '' What the! It's leaving early!'' Terry cried.
Slate was quick to take charge. '' Terrence, Lloyd, get to work on this one! Butch, Karla, work on the next one!''
'' What about me?'' Vick asked.
'' Come with me. I'm heading for the engine to try to shut it down. I may need Beta's analytical skills there.''
'' A pleasure.'' Vick said, it wasn't often that there was a demand for his talents.
Slate and Vick headed towards the front of the train. There was a small ledge on either side of the car, so that a person could sneak around if they were very careful. Butch and Karla did so as well, since the door to the next car was on the opposite end.
Terry turned to Lloyd. '' The train's starting to pick up speed, so let's get this done quickly.''
Lloyd nodded. '' There's a plug in port on the door control panel, let's go!''
'' Plug in! Dash.exe!''
'' Plug in! Ryn!''
TRANSMISSION!
The two navis materialized in the cyberworld. '' There!'' Dash said, pointing at a silver orb floating in the center of the area. '' The locking program!''
'' Sigh, this won't be any fun at all...'' Ryn lamented.
'' Not so fast!'' a voice called out.
Dash went into a battle stance as a third navi appeared.
This navi was red, and mostly humanoid. Its torso was rather boxy, while its head was elongated. His face was flattish and black, with yellow eyes and no nose.
'' Who are you?'' Ryn asked, summoning his spear.
'' I am Blastman. I was assigned to protect this train, along with my partner. He's in the Engine Computer.''
'' Blastman is it?'' Dash asked. '' Well then, is your partner strong?''
'' He's a bit stronger than I, but not by much.'' Blastman answered.
'' Heh. I can tell a navi's strength at a glance.'' Ryn said, grinning. '' And you're not that tough. Zero should have no trouble taking him out.''
'' You little... You don't look so tough yourself!'' Blastman spat back.
'' Enough talking!'' Dash shouted. '' Let's just get this over with!''
'' Agreed.'' Blastman said. '' Flame Devil!''
His body burst into flames, then he shot a whirlwind of fire at the two navis.
Terry selected a chip on the holographic screen. '' Fujin Racket, slot in!''
Dash's right hand morphed into a racket, and with a single swing a gust of wind was released, blowing the flames away.
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Slate plugged Zero out of the lock and opened the door to the engine. It was completely autonomous, so the only interface was a matinence panel.
Slate and Vick plugged their navis in. '' So this is the core...'' Zero muttered as he fully materialized. The cyberworld was nothing special.
'' Welllcommme...'' A new navi had appeared. He was a rather odd looking one at that. His torso was vaguely humanoid, with black armor, while it had a snakelike tail where legs would normally be. Its three fingered hands ended in sharp claws, and it had a snakelike head with liquid black eyes and a flicking forked tongue. It's entire body, save the armor, appeared to be made from blue gel.
'' I am Hyyyydromannn. Don't diiiie toooo quickllly...''
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Daiben is translated as feces, excrement etc.
For future reference, I'll provide a list showing real world continents and contries, and what their EXE equivalent is in this fic's universe.
North America - West Amerrope
South America – South Amerrope
Europe – East Amerrope
Russia – Sharo
China – Choina
India – Namaste
Africa – Affriku
Middle East and Central Asia – Ajina
Japan – Japan (obviously)
Australia remains the same I suppose.
All of the above names are used in either the anime or the games at some point. ( Except for the East, West, and South Amerrope. The whole thing is simply called Amerrope in the anime, not sure bout the Japanese versions of the games though.)
