Chapter 1 - George, Donovan and Harris

"Mister Pearson," Ruby says sounds somewhat irritated, "language there are ladies present."

The man with the shotgun standing behind the one twin, you’re not sure which, "Really? You must be new. Here’s how it works, it’s a basic exchange tenderfoot, you give us your money and we don’t fill you full of lead. So hows about you lay your iron down and no one gets hurt."

"Toss your irons first, the woman, she’s insurance you do as we say and my boys and I don’t make a horrible mess of her."

"You are a coward Monsieur," the woman say angrily, "un voleur incompétent qui s'attaque à ceux qui sont plus faibles que lui."

"Hey hey," the bandit says lowering the shotgun and poking her in the ribs hard so she’s forced to take a couple steps forward, "no need to get nasty."

The second man, a tall gangly fellow with blonde hair and a confederate officer’s jacket steps into the room and tosses a carpet bag at George’s feet. "Money, jewelry in the bag."

The third man, broad around the belly in a brown duster glances quickly to the side.

Outside you notice the train is fully in the gulch now.

The lead bandit looks at George, "You puts your money and jewels in the bag sunshine, it ain’t a present."

The bag looks solid to George, it’s not high quality or fancy but it’s functional.

The bandit frowns at George, "Beggers can’t be choosers and such old son, now enough of being such a clever dick, toss your coins in the bag and pass it around."

Outside the train heads into a tunnel, it’s 1888 and the lights in the car are electric and the world does not go conveniently dark but smoke and steam from the engine does begin to waft in through the open doors at either end and the partially ajar windows.

There’s a weird pause as all of the sound drains out of the world and brilliant green light pours down the length of tunnel and through the windows into the car.

The bandit leader blinks and looks about, "What the devil?"

As the light grows brighter a deep bass note that rumbles through your bones fills the air and green lightening arcs between every exposed metal surface in the car and all of the light bulbs explode in a shower of molten glass particles. The trains brakes suddenly engage and everyone is thrown violently forward. Before you even have the opportunity to hit the ground you feel everything twist sideways as the air is filled with this unearthly bass noise.

The world goes dark.