Circuit Breaker: Children of a Changed World, #2

Chapter One

Where are the wagons? Willow demanded of the stationmaster.

He shrugged. Not my department, he mumbled before scuttling away from her wrath.

Willow was disturbed by the lack of progress at the reopened station. The National Train Authority had said that they’d been working on the place since the winter, but Willow couldn’t see much improvement. The Circuit Company had assured her that everything would be ready for her to start a Breaker Circuit up into uncharted territory, but it looked like nothing had been done.

She was honored to have been chosen as the Boss for the first Breaker in years but hadn’t expected all the setbacks. The Circuit Company was trusting her to take goods, wagons, crew and the team of Heavy Silvers into an area that hadn’t been contacted in all the time since Angus had founded the Survivor’s Alliance. That was a murky period of history when brute force ruled over those less fortunate. But the people at High Meadow had tried to establish something better.

This station had been closed since raiders took it over nearly twenty-five years ago. It wasn’t obvious at what time the squatters had moved on, but they had left a dangerous mess of burned and shot up walls behind them. The NTA had decided it was time to repair and reopen this one. It would once again join the Eastern Linkline and the Reading-Denver Line. Since that would bring in new traffic from three directions, it was decided by the Circuit Company that it would be a good place to make the beginning point for a new circuit. 

The station was renamed in honor of General Dunham who was now retired. Fielding Station, which had been the last station open on the Eastern Linkline, had been the closest to The Depository. And the story of when Dunham’s steadfast soldiers had joined the Survivor’s Alliance was an important turning point in Post-Zero Year history. 

Standing in the overgrown driveway, she could almost feel how it must have been back then. The trains shut down, and the packaged food that people relied on ran out. There were no communities and raiders ran wild around the country. Then Angus gathered a few people, her Uncles Martin and Nick, her father Wisp, and the dream grew. And now here she was on the next step, expanding the territory.

She had come up from High Meadow on the Eastern Linkline and seen the ongoing work in the tunnel. It hadn’t had any maintenance since the stations up the line had been closed. From Fielding to Dunham had been a long slow ride over crooked tracks. The single car train had been stopped outside the station for over an hour waiting for some mysterious signal to approach. Willow had gotten more impatient the longer she’d been trapped in the train. 

The platform was scarred and torn up. The building smelled of raw wood and hot metal. Willow took the stairs, two at a time, eager to see what might await her. Lumber and bricks were stacked up outside. The workmen were making a terrific racket with power tools. But she was most concerned with the lack of facilities for the Circuit Company. Their warehouse was just studs marking out the storage area with tarps over the few supplies that had arrived. The driveway for the wagons was a muddy rut. Trees had been cleared for a Gathering Place, but the stumps remained, and weeds were hip-high in some places. The fencing for the livestock was bright with newly made stakes. Some of the fences were incomplete with just rope lines containing the few animals there.

The Company had made a lot of promises to get her to commit to this endeavor. Taking a crew into the unknown was thrilling and terrifying in equal measure. After two years of being Boss through strange and eventful circuits, they had deemed her the best skilled to take this on. Having been through several crews, she made her selections and put in her requests, but they’d told her not everyone was available. Even though they’d promised she could have anyone. 

They were supposed to leave in two weeks, and she still didn’t have any confirmations yet. That was making her nervous. Willow climbed up to sit on the crossbar of the split rail fence of the horse enclosure. The raw wood was sticky with sap. The horses were on the far side away from the construction racket. She wouldn’t choose any of them without consulting her brother first. Jake had come up with the livestock a few days ago. He would know which of the Heavy Silvers would be best for this exciting new adventure. It wasn’t just the crew that needed to work together. She’d worked a circuit early on where the Silvers refused to pull together. It had made them late for every stop.

Jake joined her at the fence. How many do we get?

Four Silvers for the main wagon. Four more horses—two for the pantry and another two for the engineer’s wagon.

Jake nodded, squinting into the field. Give me a little more time to get to know them better.

Willow punched him lightly on the arm as he climbed through the fence. Her brother had really matured over the past few years. He understood his gift better and used it more carefully. There were a lot more kids with unusual gifts emerging. Wisp had set up a school where they could be trained. She’d stopped by the last time she’d been home and had been very impressed. Her father never ceased to amaze her.

You Willow? An older man, lean and grizzled frowned up at her.

That’s me.

I’m Ernst, your engineer.

Nice to meet you, she said putting her hand out.

He took it hesitantly. Kinda young, he grumbled.

This’ll be my ninth circuit, Willow said as she jumped down from the fence. I’ve faced raiders, wolvers and tornadoes. How about you?

Ernst blinked at her in surprise. Never been on the road.

Well, I guess you’ll learn, she said. Do you play an instrument?

Yeah. They said that was why they picked me. I play trombone.

We’ll have to get some practice sessions going. Jake plays trumpet, and I’ve been promised drums this time. They really add a lot to the Arrival song.

The what?

Willow tried not to roll her eyes. Have you had the orientation?

That’s later today.

Good. She hoped that her team wouldn’t be all new people. It was important that they worked well together and getting a new team to that level would be a strain while breaking a new route.

The sound of bagpipes raised her spirits. Connor marched across the lawn grinning around the pipe.

Connor! She gave him a hug, squashing his bagpipes which resulted in an odd squeal. Please say you’re on my crew.

Wouldn’t miss it, Connor said.

His smile raised her spirits immeasurably. Connor had become a good friend and someone she knew she could count on. Having him on the circuit would make it a lot more fun.

This is Ernst our engineer, Willow made the introductions. Connor is a Judge.

Ernst frowned at him, too. A judge of what?

Chapter Two

Jane signed the contract with mixed feelings. She was looking forward to working with Willow again, but this was going to be a very different run. After a year of working in a town, she’d found herself signing back up for a couple of circuits. The run with Willow had been hard, but she’d learned so much. In contrast, dealing with small injuries, colds and bad digestion for a year had made her long for the road. Not only did she encounter more unusual things, it was a lot quieter.

She still had Lisa as an apprentice. Even though she had learned enough to be on her own, she was still learning how to handle her talent. With all the strange abilities popping up, Wisp had insisted that they not be labeled as gifts. He said that caused derision by the assumption that some people were special. And he had put into practice a system where people discovered their own personal talents be they musical, agricultural, industrial or magical. He was trying to normalize the unusual, and she wondered if that would really work.

That afternoon she packed up and took a train to Dunham Station. The platform was a maze of building supplies, toolboxes and cables. She carefully picked her way through, flinching under the general racket of construction. Outside wasn’t much better. There were more supplies and builders everywhere putting together odd bits that she couldn’t figure out.

Willow was arguing with a man at a site that was just foundation and studs. Jane waited for that to finish up. She put her pack out of the way. There weren’t any wagons, so she might be sleeping in the cubbies tonight. But considering all the workers, it might be a bit raucous.

Jane!

She turned at the sound of her name to see Connor coming out of the station. She gave him a relieved hug. Please say you’re on the crew.

That’s just what Willow said. And yes, I am.

I’m happy to see a familiar face.

Me, too, he said with a grin. We’ve got Jake, too.

And his various pals? Jane asked with a fond smile.

Definitely the cats and the dogs, but I’m not sure if he’s gotten any more.

How have you been? she asked. He had still been healing when they’d finished their circuit together, but that was over two years ago now.

No more injuries, if that’s what you’re asking. Working with William was the best thing I could have done. He’s really made a name for himself as an objective judge. I did two more circuits with him, and there wasn’t a single time when I felt things were going to get out of hand. I have learned so much from him.

So, we won’t be seeing him? Jane asked. Despite being a grumpy loner, William was a good crew member. She had felt safe with him along.

He got married, Connor said with a chuckle. His wife had twins last winter.

Goodness. She must be very special, Jane said.

According to the gossip, she was a cook’s apprentice on his last circuit. He’s taken a position as a town judge out by Seaview.

I did not think I would ever hear of him settling down. Well, I wish him the best.

Connor nodded. We write. He’s still got the best legal brain short of Angus. I’ve consulted him about a couple of decisions, after the fact, and he had some great feedback.

Maybe he’ll start teaching, Jane said. She’d gotten the offer, too, but she wasn’t ready to stay put for that long. She wondered if many circuit crew could settle down into teaching. For most of them, the road was in their blood. 

He’s on the committee to form a separate Judge training school. It’s been in the works for awhile, but I think he’ll get it off the ground. What about you? How have you been?

Good, Jane said. She didn’t have any interesting landmarks to share. Her life just moved along one patient at a time. Lisa is coming along, too.

She’s not still an apprentice? Connor asked.

Not really. But she’s still honing her Talent. And something that can be a life-or-death touch needs to be carefully trained.

Right.

Jane noted Connor’s cryptic nod. Problem?

Not really. I’m still unsure about all these...talents.

I’ve seen what Lisa can do. You know that without her we would have lost both Sam and Rowan. Sam was gut-shot, and Rowan had a cracked skull with internal bleeding.

Yes, but maybe...

Jane interrupted him with a shake of her head. There’s no maybe here. Injuries like that on the road are always lethal. If we’d been even a day out of a medical center, they might have had maybe a slim chance, but without? No chance.

I knew it was bad at the time, Connor admitted.

But the mind smooths the facts out over time, Jane said. You look back and only see the high points. Without the Talents things would be very different. It’s something we all need to get used to. There are some very unusual talents showing up.

I just hope they’re all for the good, Connor grumbled.

His comment threw her off. Why wouldn’t they be? she demanded.

He hesitated and was saved from responding by a shout from Willow.

Chapter Three

Micah jogged down the platform to the livestock car. He knew his mare would be unsettled by the train ride. 

Bear chuckled at him. Balthazar will keep her company.

She doesn’t like confined spaces, Micah grumbled.

She or you? Bear retorted.

Micah tried to scowl at her, but Bear knew him too well. She was an unexpected delight in his life. They hadn’t made any formal commitments, but only worked on circuits together now. And over the winter, they’d shared a house. It had been the best off-season in Micah’s memory. He couldn’t imagine a future without her at his side. 

They retrieved their horses and got them into the freight elevator and down the livestock ramp from the loading dock. That’s when he realized that the corrals hadn’t been finished. That didn’t bode well for the upcoming Breaker.

You got a Gray Courser like Bear’s! Jake yelped in greeting.

Hey Jake, Micah called. He was glad to see the kid. Now he knew that his new ride was in good hands. This is Smoke.

Jake approached slowly making little chirps and hums. He stroked her face. Hello Smoke.

Where are we supposed to put them? Bear asked.

There’s a meadow over on the other side, Jake said. Hello Balthazar. He led them around the side of the station.

Is your sister here? Micah asked. He looked around at the construction. Seemed like a lot of things had been started, but nothing was even half-finished.

She’s scolding the supervisor again.

Glad I’m not him, Bear said with a wink.

They keep shifting priorities, Jake said sourly. The corral is only half-done. The goods warehouse was stopped to work on the southbound platform, and then they had to stop that to clear a driveway for the wagons.

I don’t see any wagons, Micah said. That was going to be an issue. He’d wanted to check out the tents and see if there was a way to get one just for him and Bear.

They were promised yesterday, Jake said. Willow’s really mad.

Can’t blame her, Bear said.

Who else is on the crew? Micah asked. When he’d agreed to sign on for Willow’s crew, he’d requested some good solid guards. Like the wagons and the construction, they’d been promised. Now he was worried that he’d get some young, inexperienced guards.

Connor and Jane are here. And I think Lisa’s coming.

All good, Bear said with an approving nod.

That’s all I know for sure.

Well, that’s a good start, Micah said hopefully. He knew them and trusted them. If there were some good solid veterans on the crew, it would set the proper tone for the circuit.

The front of the station wasn’t any better than the back. Paths had been carved out of the undergrowth, but it was threatening to push back in. Where are they going to put the wagons? Micah asked.

Jake pointed to a narrow, muddy strip that was already knee deep in new grass.

Not a good start, Micah grumbled.

A familiar shape came out the front door of the station. Hands on hips, he looked around until he saw them. Micah waved at Bernard. At least one of his requests had come through. If he had at least one more from his list, then he’d be able to handle some green kids if he had to.

Hey Micah, Bear. Is that Jake? You’ve put on some inches, Bernard greeted them as he shook hands all around.

Where’s your gear? Micah asked.

I stowed it in a cubby. Wasn’t sure if we’d have a wagon yet. There’s rumors that the Company is giving us something really new, but it might not be ready yet.

How’d you hear that? Micah asked wondering why he was always one of the last to know.

I took a class at the Company.

Changing tracks? Bear asked.

I thought about it, but there’s a lot more to it than I’m ready for, Bernard admitted.

I’m glad to have you on the crew, Micah said.

Bernard grinned. This run with you guys? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Chapter Four

While Micah, Bear and Bernard went to check in with Willow, Jake went back to the corral. He had almost finished picking out the team, but there was a strange feeling that he couldn’t shake. He really felt like he needed to take an oddly matched pair of an old horse and a colt. They spent a lot of time together in the field, but he needed to know more about their relationship. He couldn’t find anyone who knew the horses here at Dunham Station and decided to write to the folks at the main ranch.

He’d had to leave his dogs and cats behind until he sorted out the facilities. And now with all the construction and strangers, he was glad he had. Even though he missed them, he knew they wouldn’t have cared for the noise and bustle of it all.

Being the one in charge on this run was going to be hard. He’d done a couple more circuits in between his classes in the winter. At sixteen, he was the youngest Circuit Vet, but no one doubted his abilities. He’d enjoyed working with all the animals and learning new things, but the classes couldn’t teach him how to work with his Talent. He’d visited the school his father had set up, but no one there had the same kind of connection to animals that he did. It was something he was going to keep figuring out for himself.

He introduced Smoke and Balthazar to the herd in the paddock. There was some posturing among the Silvers, but they were accepted. He wandered through the horses patting shoulders and clucking to them. They felt the anticipation of a circuit coming up. There were a couple of horses and two Silvers who had pulled away. They weren’t ready. He wasn’t familiar with any of these horses which surprised him. Between the vet classes and various circuits, he thought he’d met most of them.

Jake?

He moved out of a group of horses to see a vaguely familiar face standing at the fence. He waved and the guy beckoned.

Hey, he said when Jake got within speaking distance. I’m Rick Gardener, your apprentice.

Even