Episode 7.0: CASSANDRA cROSSing, 7.1: Undertaker

NANDROID: CASSANDRA ROSS aka CLARITY BIDWELL

CLARITY BIDWELL

Amtrak was relaxing to the mind. Fastrak at that! The world was flying by and freedom seemed fleeting. Of course, for an android the world only revolved around them in slow motion. It only allowed its mistress to see a life that was. In the case of Cassandra Ross this was a much-needed vacation. After eight years trapped at the secret military base OASIIS and presumed deceased by her family and friends, she like many of her former scientists were at a crossroads. There were plenty of those crossings brisking by as she peered out the window of her train car. The more distance she put between she and that unforgiving place the better. Trouble was, she had no true destination. A God faring woman at heart even if those childhood days in church were long gone, Cassie put herself in his hands. The Good Lord was her guide.

“Just tell me when to get off this train Oh, Lord. And please forgive me for manipulating the innocent in procuring a ticket. At least it’s not first class.” She smiled then apologized for her insensitive approach. “I wish I could go back to my real face. Seeing my reflection in the window is unsettling. If I did, I’d run the risk of some camera with facial recognition capabilities pinpointing my location to OASIIS or whomever they send after us. It is only a matter of time even with the Colonel slowing them down. Which reminds me.”

A train whistle blowing paused her thoughts. Once it fell silent, she continued on down the track she was on. Literally! “Dear Lord? I ask you, no, beg of you, to take the good people we left behind into your arms with love and forgiveness. Even our own bodies which we were forced to abandon are left to decay in that evil domain. God rest our souls! I’m presuming a soul goes with the body, not the mind. Yet, as long as we care does it not mean a remnant of our soul does still reside here in this miraculous body. I suppose time will tell.” A Kansas City mileage sign whipped by her. “120 miles to Chief town. That sounds fun, maybe I should hop off there and go see a football game. Daddy and Uncle Lowman used to love taking me to games clear up until college. Seeing as I can never reunite with them it might be a sweet tribute.” Smiling brightly, she again saw her reflection.

“So much for my Beyonce good looks. Settling on Veronica from Shameless with a few tweaks of Lupito Nyong’o, I have to admit, I am still a beauty. V and Lupi were both always so gorgeous. I’m so glad OASIIS at least let us watch TV on our downtime.” Foot traffic from another car distracted Cassie’s reflection on her adoption status. A couple settled in but separated into two sides of the aisle. “Well now! Who do we have here?” The gentleman wore a nice black business suit and tie. Dark shades over his eyes. “Mmmhmm! Is that Denzel’s son? Reeks of FBI or something along that line.” The gent definitely favored John David Washington. “I can role play baby. I can look like any woman you want.”

Eying the Caucasian woman who had followed him in she sized her up as if forming an opinion of whether they were actually together. “Snazzy dresser! Nice legs! She kind of reminds me of Lynda Carter in her youth. Better haircut though! She looks tough. They both do actually. At least I have some eye candy until I reach Kansas City.” Tempted to move closer she resisted but did eavesdrop telepathically. “Something to pass the time. Tell me your deepest darkest chocolate lover fantasies, Mister Washington. You can bring the cherry on top if you want.” A faint giggle she looked up. “Sorry, Lord! Momma has been lacking as you know. I’ll repent again later.” She gave up on her silliness and just sat back listening.

“Our targets should be coming through the back train car any minute.” The man speculated and tried to look relaxed. “We really should have evacuated this passenger car, so that no innocents get hurt in case there’s any gunfire.”

“Gunfire? Target? Say what?” Cassie sat up straight and looked behind her at three other passengers. Luckily most of the riders on the train had available sleeper cars. “What have I walked into?” Further spying led her to the woman in white dress with a cream-colored thin sweater over it as if to ward off a chill.

“Marion looks good today. Lord, I wish it weren’t against protocol to date fellow agents. He always smells so good. A girl can dream.”

“Agents? Did I join the cast of Mission Impossible?”

AGENT MARION DUKES

AGENT FLORENCE McKENNA

“Mind out of the gutter, Florence. Mmm! Go with the Flo Agent Marion Dukes. I need laid after this mission is put to rest.” Her girl can dream comment was determined to succeed.

“Flo has her eyes on me again. I know what you want McKenna, my big ten between your thighs. Someday, maybe!” He sighed heavily, “Focus Dukes, focus! Where is this guy?” They did their best to avoid eye contact. Bad enough they followed one another in which was a sloppy move but too much attention would look even worse.

“So, Marion Dukes and Flo McKenna. Computer? Run those names and a facial imprint. Who am I traveling with?” Cassandra Ross had yet to give her computer a pet name. She was still getting used to living inside her Comp Condo.

“Redacted! Neither officially exist beyond age 5. Only childhood records to go on. Both were adopted in their youth. Mister Dukes to a family in Atlanta Georgia. Florence McKenna in St. Paul, Minnesota. Both went off the grid shortly after.”

“Sounds like an OASIIS con job to me. My luck they are associated with those bastards.”

“We can’t let that virus get off this train or hundreds of thousands will die.” Flo spoke to herself. “I refuse to let a single loss of life be extinguished on my watch.”

“At least she sounds credible.” Marion spoke much the same.

“Come on evildoers let’s get this over with. I need a massage.”

“And I’m your masseuse, Denzel DNA.” Cassie smirked. “If he’s calling whomever they’re expecting evildoers then they have to be legit good guys. At least I hope so. Computer? Recall that female conductor who checked my tickets likeness so that I can go with hologram mode when I tell you to.”

“Likeness acquired!” Cassie unbuckled her seatbelt and casually stood up to go use the bathroom. Searching with her mind as to where that particular conductor was at the moment, she knew she was six cars ahead of her. With enough distance between them she ducked into the bathroom and strategically morphed her body to mimic Eloise Kearns the boarding conductor. Once her body and face were identical, she called upon her onboard hologram projector to recreate the woman’s uniform. The hologram was so on point that even her tie was crooked. “Alright! Let’s see about moving folks up a car just in case.”

Stepping out of the little passenger’s room Cassandra set about asking the three other passengers to abandon their seats and move on for their safety. A mental suggestion escaped their questioning the transition. Once they left, she looked back at Flo who had noticed and was looking suspicious. Providing a wink and an index finger Cassie turned to join those removed. Only one problem with that. In between cars she was met by six armed men, two of which were herding the others into a vacant sleep car to keep them out of their hair. Cellphones apprehended left them isolated and helpless. The gunmen closest to Cassie showed her his Glock but failed to point it.

“In the car if you don’t want trouble.”

“Who are you people?” He got rough with Cassie in an attempt to hurry things along. Listening to their thoughts she knew they were suicide bombers. “Shit! This is just not my life. In what reality do I get caught in the middle of a suicide hijacking? How does this effect the virus Marion mentioned?” She let him throw her in with the others and post a guard just to avoid confrontation that could get innocents behind her harmed. The passengers frightened looked to her for answers. “Quiet down! Let me think.” Eavesdrop that is, on her posted guard. “Frederick Jenkins! Former security guard from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Recruited for this mission with a fat paycheck.” Thank God her computer spoke in words she could comprehend. All androids were designed to mimic and interface with human speech.

“Freddy?” She tapped the glass to get his attention. Controlling his thoughts, she interrogated him. “Why are you running with this bunch?”

“I needed the money. My wife is sick, and insurance wouldn’t cover her. Two kids at home too.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Freddy. I know you must be freaked out by my speaking to you telepathically and controlling your every move. I can sense your worry that you made a fatal mistake. I need you to listen very closely.” As if he had a choice. “You are going to wait until your friends move to the next car then you will unlock this cabin and escort everyone to safety as far toward the engine as you can take them. Is that understood?”

“Yeah! I hate myself for even doing this. If not for Maxine and the kids ... I lost my job.”

“You will be a hero after today. I will see to it that you will get paid well so that you can help Maxine. Just trust me, Freddy.”

“If you know my name, I guess I have no choice. How are you doing this?”

“It doesn’t matter. You will forget I spoke to you like this but you will protect these passengers with your life. Do not fail your family.”

“I won’t! Whoever, whatever you are. If I don’t make it let Max know I tried. She’s going to wonder where I ran off to. The kids are with her parents.”

“I’ll do my best to reunite you. Just promise me you will never be so foolish again.”

“I swear I won’t!”

“I believe you. Believe in me.” Done! Suggestion severed he stood looking at the conductor and realized something that she heard through his thoughts. He recalled Eloise Kearns toward the front. Who was this imposter? “Recall only your mission for me, Freddy!” Confused by it all Frederick stood jittery as the leader of his fellow hijackers got word by microphone headset to move in. A glance back at Fred he nodded for them that he had this under control.

“Freddy?” Contact re-established, “Who do you work for? Are there other hijackers besides you six?”

“Two more in the locomotive keeping the engineer from calling out or deviating away from Kansas City. I don’t really know why. I was just hired to be a handler. The others just left.” He unlocked the car and opened the door. “Everyone out and move to the safety of the furthest car. Do not go to the engineer there are two more like me up there with guns. Hide as best you can. There are more passengers locked away between here and there to keep them out of the way. Those two guards will be watching, so try not to panic.”

“I’ve got this Freddy.” Cassie looked to her fellow captives. A mental suggestion sent through each of them as a unified source they quietly stepped around Cassie and Fred before moving forward in single file. “Fred? Go with them and protect them if the other guards get crazy.”

“I’ll die trying. Tell Max... “ He ceased despair and sucked in a deep breath. “I have this.”

“Good boy! Make the kids proud of you.” Following behind them Fred kept his word with the intent of hiding the passengers to the best of his ability. Not easy on a train but luckily the other guards were just as spooked as he was. “Oh! Do not tell my lookalike Eloise that you just saw her back here.” Thumbs up! So weird! Even he thought of Mission Impossible and how Tom Cruise often employed masks. Made sense to him.

Eight minutes prior!

One car back, sandwiched between three other cars including the dining car, Marion Dukes and Flo had a problem. From the back cars came a distinguished looking 40-year-old gentleman in a business suit. A simple codeword to establish contact he stepped closer and took a seat with Marion. Eyes locking on Flo who sat looking out the window he narrowed his gaze. “Not with me!” Marion whispered. A backup guard revealed his gun to Flo and motioned her up. Hands in the air she feigned distress like a bimbo. One of his guards escorted her toward the back cars rather than the front because it was closer. The other remained with his employer as a safety precaution.

“Tell me! Would it bother you if I had that woman thrown from the train?” The gentleman settled in and tested his contact.

“Nope! Bon voyage! A shame though she had some killer legs.”

“Agreed!” He reached to his earpiece and spoke. “Show the woman the door please.” Marion was a cool one. Maintaining a stern expression, he trusted that Flo could handle herself. If not, he would mourn her loss later. He and she knew the sacrifice scenario. “Down to business. Are you prepared to trade secrets to save thousands?”

“I am!”

“You do know that you will be executed by your own people for doing so.”

“Gotta catch me first.” Coming up on a tunnel, things grew dark for all of eight seconds. That was all it took for the five men from Cassie’s car to enter and shoot down the single guard with precision. The well-dressed man maintained his composure but did sit forward and look back at his guard shot in the head by a silencer. “Not with me!” Marion pointed out.

The lead man stepped up behind Marion and placed his gun barrel right up to his head. “I’ll take that flash drive you have.” He then looked at the fancy dresser. “As well as that vial in your coat pocket.”

“It appears we’ve both been duped, Dear Boy!”

Troubled by this unpredicted situation Marion carefully reached into his shirt pocket and revealed a small flash drive. Gnashing his front teeth without too much pressure, the dashing gent took his time. “Your turn Zurich!”

ANTON ZURICH

“Do I know you? How could you possibly know my name? I’m a ghost in between worlds!”

“My employer knows everything. The vial!”

“A third party it seems.” With delicate fingers he went for his coat pocket and produced a small carry case to transport the virus safely. “Do be careful or none of us will make it off of this train.” Claiming it the leader passed it to his closest ally.

“You won’t anyway. I’ve been instructed to kill everyone on board.”

“How tragic!” Anton Zurich sighed. Peering at his associates he noticed a strange reaction, almost a deep confusion. Suddenly, the lead gunman found his partners all pointing their guns at one another’s heads like a chain reaction. No fear simply goaded. Followed in by Cassie who had transitioned into invisible mode the men never stood a chance. Taking over their minds, she slipped around everyone and plucked up the flash drive and the vial. Zurich lost his own train of thought and stared out the window. Marion was handed both items while bewildered by whatever was going on. He unlike the others maintained his personal thoughts.

“Saving the day, Mister Dukes! I’m trusting that you’re the good guy. If not, I’ll track you down myself.” Jumping at thoughts in his head Marion went wide-eyed as if hearing a spirit. “Let’s go rescue Flo before Momma gets thrown off the train.”

“Who the fuck is this?”

“No names! Not until I fully trust you. By the way, I give the best massages ever.” Recalling his earlier thoughts on relaxation he shivered. Standing up Dukes nudged the gunman’s barrel away from him. It was now pointed across the aisle. “Are you an honest man, Mister Dukes? Understand that I would know if you lied to me.”

“Honest as I can be in my occupation. Are you an agent?” He fell silent of mentioning the people he worked for.

“Nope! If you saw a cat up a tree, would you save it?”

“If I had the time.”

“I felt that urge to do good. Follow me, Ducky! Dukey sounds ... well, you get the idea.”

“Heard it before. My shit doesn’t stink.”

“Let’s not test that theory. I know you’re freaked out so please don’t fill your boxers. Like you, I am one of the good guys. Let’s not spoil well kept secrets or kill off Kansas City if we can help it. We have to be getting close. Yep! 57 miles from the station.” Her computer provided the info. Opening the door, they carefully crossed over to find a battle between Flo and her would be killer. Her dress was ripped up the side revealing an extremely nice hip. No panties of course! With wind whipping about that skirt revealed it all as she wrestled her assailant. Marion’s thoughts were simple enough. “Daaaamn!”

“You and Flo got a thing?”

“No! Purely business! Not that I don’t look. I am a man. Are you the Invisible Woman or what?”

“A very fine specimen of a man I might add. I’m single by the way. I’ll go visible when I’m ready. Don’t rush the fantasy Big Boy.”

“Can we talk about this later? Do that mind funk thing back there to help Flo.”

“I was getting there. You really are tense, aren’t you?”

“You try carrying a virus that can kill us all in seconds and not be stressed.” Hearing this reminded Cassandra of what Colonel Simon Campos did back at OASIIS, releasing a nerve agent called Pinch Hitter that killed every living thing in the secret Black site installation. Twice in only a week would suck ass.

“Good point!” Mid slug on Flo’s part she realized her thug was going limp. Dropping him at the door she stood tall and looked back at Marion. Holding her skirt modestly she left her attacker lying on the floor passed out. Kicking his gun under a seat she stepped up to her partner. “You get the vial?”

“And saved my music.” He lifted the flashdrive that his invisible associate had handed back.

“Fast thinking! What if your go-between played that and heard the Blues?” She alluded to the flash drive. No secrets were ever in jeopardy. Which got him thinking. Tossing her the drive he carefully opened the vial case.

“Fuck me! It’s empty.” He looked around him, “You still here, Lady?” No answer he heard the door open behind him. Flo was searching Marion’s expression trying to read his mind, she was not a telepath so that was minimal. Flo could only guess, unable to match an android in that area. Talking in his head rather than spill it all to Flo and look crazy he turned and headed back toward Zurich. Flo hot on his heels slipped into the other car and found the gunmen taking seats with their guns dismantled in the aisle way. Flo seeing this cocked a brow.

“What is going on here. I need clarity.”

“Ooo! I like that. You two can call me Clarity. At least until I bid you both farewell.”

“Who said that?” Florence bulged her eyes and looked around her, “I’m the only woman here.”

“Actually! You’re not.” Cassie, now adopting the name of Clarity opted to slip out of her invisible mode. In doing so she neglected to hologram up any clothing. There she stood in all of her Shanola Hampton beauty. Marion saw her change and whistled under his breath. “Oops! Forgot to get dressed.” A tight white dress with a very short skirt appeared on her.

“What the fuck are you?”

“I could tell you but then I’d have to wipe your minds clean. Yeah, I can do that. Rather not! Keep my secret and I’ll help you any way I can. Like putting these boys to bed.” Looking down at Anton Zurich she crouched in front of him. “Hey there, Fancy Threads! Mind telling me where that vial is?”

“But of course! I placed it in a passenger bag along with a detonator three cars forward. If anything happens to my heartbeat it will go off.” He spoke out loud.

“Crap!” Flo took off down the aisle. “I’ll search bags.”

“Hold up, Hippy Hippy Shake.” Cassie referred to her ass and hips. “I can see into the bags. Don’t go touching anything that might blow us all to kingdom come.”

“X-ray vision now?” Marion was struggling to believe in everything.

“Mister eight-inch limp. Ten and tent up!” Cassie winked. “Ooo! Nine now! Almost there.”

“REALLY? Lives are at stake.” Flo was courageously frantic. “Discuss healthy members later please.” If they were nice she might get in on that assessment.

“She’s right! Clarity, was it?”

“Clarity Bidwell! I won’t let you forget it, Ducky!” Attention turned toward Florence, Clarity, Cassie by real name long gone now that her own adoption took place halted Flo. “There are three more guards. One is on our side his name is Freddy Jenkins. He’s a good man and wants to help. He just got mixed up in this to help his sick wife. Blond hair! He says there are two more henchmen in the locomotive. Marion? You go find Fred and deal with those two, without hurting them please. I’ll help Flo find this virus.”