The Amtrack Wars - Earth Thunder Part 22

'Worse thing that ever happened to this country.

That's what destroyed it! The auto and the truck changed people's values. Made people selfish and greedy. That didn't happen on the trains. When you travelled by rail, you were part of a community. The journey was a shared experience. The train came from somewhere, you boarded it, got off when it arrived at your destination, and the train went on to somewhere else.

'There was continuity. The rail head, the depot, was the link between the townships and central to the life of each. The point where goods and people came in and out, where you got news of what was happening down the line.

You were part of a beautifully controlled system that you could depend on. Where everything ran to a timetable.

But what held the system together, what kept the whole thing on the rails were people - working side by side.

From top to bottom of the organisation, everyone had a specific job to do and they did it to the best of their abilities."

'So in a sense, this railway thing was a role model for the Federation.

The whole wagon-train concept, the way-stations..."

'Exactly. Teamwork, Brickman. That's what was lost when the highways and the automobile came along. They gave individuals the freedom to go wherever they wanted whenever they wanted." Karlstrom saw Steve's reaction.

'Yes, that's right. Freedom. one of the word-concepts you've picked up from your Mute friends. It's not listed in the Federation dictionary, but amongst the First Family, it's the subject of constant debate.

'Like I said before, during the time you travelled on a train, you were part of a community, but as soon as two, three or four people started shutting themselves inside those wheeled trash-bins, their whole personality changed. They began to compete with the owners of other automobiles. Everyone wanted their trash-bin to be bigger, faster, better and above all different to their neighbours'.

'In those days, when America was run by money, there were organisations ready to pander to these kind of desires. But you can't satisfy them.

It just leads to more jealousy, greed, lawlessness and anti-social behaviour of all kinds. Just having transportation to get from A to B wasn't enough. Mobility became a way of life.

'Bored with your surroundings? You got into your box and went somewhere else. Looking for the end of the rainbow. But all that breeds is dissatisfaction because once the novelty wears off, you discover that there is just the same as here. Life has to be lived wherever you are."

Karlstrom ma.s.saged another length of copper pipe with his oily rag.

'used to be a state out west, California...

the word got around it was a great place to be. The only place to be.

And it was true. Great climate, sun, sand, sea, mountains. gorgeous landscape, beautiful people. Only it didn't stay that way. From all over the rest of America, people packed their belongings into their chromium-plated, air-conditioned trash-bins and started moving west, looking to get themselves a piece of the same dream.

'And pretty soon, that dream turned into a nightmare.

They f.u.c.ked up California just like they f.u.c.ked up everywhere else.

That's what people used to call "freedom" in those days, Brickman. To be able, if you wanted to, to go to h.e.l.l in a handcart. We call that being out of control - like a runaway loco. That's why this country went off the rails and into the ravine - and that's why the Family has to keep a tight hold on things. That was one of the harsh lessons we learned from the Holocaust.

You can't turn people loose if they don't have a sense of direction."

'Are you planning to instill one- or does that mean the First Family will never allow Trackers to have that kind of freedom again?"

'And risk letting another bunch of degenerate air-heads drag us into another Holocaust?" Karlstrom shook his head. 'I doubt it. Last time round they almost killed everything off for good. This planet can only take so much. If you're ever allowed to access the records, you'll find out just how bad it was. It's taken us over nine hundred years to haul ourselves out of the pit just to get back - in technological terms - to where we started. n.o.body in their right minds would ever want to go through that again.

'understand this, Brickman. The Family is not against the concept of freedom. As you know for yourself, Trackers are free to do all kinds of things- within certain limits. What the Family has done, and will continue to do, is decide where the edges are. One day perhaps, you'll be making those kinds of decisions. And when you get that high, you'll realise that we, the people that run things, do so out of a sense of duty - not because we're a bunch of power-hungry maniacs ' 'Sir, I!"

Karlstrom silenced Steve with a raised hand. 'Brick-man!

Fer crissakes! I wasn't born yesterday! I once felt the same way!

How do you think you've got this far?

Why d'you think we've chosen to work with you? It's because we know you better than you know yourself!

We know what b.u.t.tons to push! That's why Commander Jefferson had your marks downgraded in the final exams at the Flight Academy. Yes! After docking points for the couple of odd foul-ups you came the closest anyone has ever come to achieving the perfect score! So we arranged for you to come fourth. Are you going to tell me that didn't light a fire under your tail?"

."No, sir. It did."

'd.a.m.n right, it did."

'How did Fran - I mean, Commander Jefferson- come to be involved in that particular decision?"

'She hasn't told you? Maybe it's time you knew. She's been running you and Roz for the last five years."

'Running...?"

'She's been your controller. You two were put on a Special Treatment List at birth. There's a whole department of AMEX whose job it is to follow you people through every stage of your development. When Commander Jefferson went to work in that department she was given your file."

'I didn't realise I was that important .... ' 'Oh, you are Brickman, you are. She's made it her business to know everything about you. And now you're pushing her b.u.t.ton. Kind of ironic, don't you think?"

Karlstrom checked the steam pressure gauge and opened the door to the fire-box. 'Okay, fire her up."

Steve tossed in several more billets- logs that had been sawn into thirty-inch lengths then quartered with an axe.

His technique was improving with each load, and the scorching heat that met his first attempts was now much less of a problem.

'Not bad,' shouted Kafistrom. 'You learn fast. That's what I like about you. You could have a real future with us, y'know that? And not just because of your present relationship with Commander Jefferson.

That's not going to last, but I guess you've already figured that out.

I'm talking about AMEXICO. That's the best route to the top for a young man in a hurry." He paused to eye Steve.

'That's where you want to end up, isn't it?"

It was like being stripped naked. 'Sir, I, uhh - why I just never thought about it! I mean, y'know - that far ahead - ' Karlstrom laughed. 'Not much! Only every other second! Jeer! Don't you ever come clean?! I respect ambition! How the h.e.l.l d'you think I got to be head of AMEXICO? I'm not bulls.h.i.tting you, Brickman. Play your cards right and one day you could be the man to take over my spot when it's time for me to move on. And where would that put you?"

'One step away from the Oval Office..."

Karlstrom smiled and spread his hands. 'It could all be yours, Brickman. All you have to do is become a team-player."

'I thought I was, sir."

'I'm talking about getting your head totally together, Brickman. That means ditching any lingering thoughts about playing both ends against the middle - like keeping a door open to the Plainfolk in case things get too hot here. And don't insult my intelligence by trying to deny it. I understand.

'You aren't the only mexican to have run into problems.