NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE
RED TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 5TH, 2298

Today marks the twentieth year since the dawn of the Iron wars. Today was the day for the "4-8-8-4" to undergo it's annual modernisation, this year was a special occasion. A U.S.R.W.C transport train had just recently arrived with "4-8-8-4"s upgrades along with new equipment, railcars and weaponry. Captain Homer was impressed with some of the key features of some of the new goodies that will be equipted onto his 'Engine of Destruction'. Provided with a clipboard with a copy of the supply manifest of everything that will be loaded onto the Railway Battleship:

Rail cars:
1.One 250,000 gallon tank car a long with an advanced pumping system to transfer the water to the locomotive's Atomic Boiler.
2.One additional magazine car to hold additional shells and missiles.
3.One restored M65 Atomic gun mounted onto a Platform with 20 280mm 15kt W9 shells.
4.Nine Particle Generator cars to power the 300mm Gauss Rifles.
5.One helipad car.
6.One hospital car.
7.One mess car

Weapons/assets:
1.Nine 300mm Gauss cannons to replace the current 300mm standard guns.
2.one 2X2 Custom built Armored Box launcher for the Tender.
3.One restored MH-60 Blackhawk Gunship.
4.One additional SAM Launcher for the Locomotive.
5.One new Counter-Derailer Ram to replace existing Ram.

Equipment: (!TOP SECRET!)
1.Nano-regenerative system for locomotive.
2.Improved Radar and Tracking Systems for all AA platforms.
3.Improved Guidance System for all Missile platforms.
4.Enhanced gun directors for all Artillery based platforms.
5.Advanced communication devices for all transmitters and Fire Control.
6.Experimental Deflector shielding technology for the locomotive.
7. Maglev-lined wheels for the entire train.

Locomotive:
Atomic Boiler replacement for the locomotive that'll power two steam turbines to drive the piston driving rods.

This list has got goosebumps running all over Ryan's mind, and some very concerning key points have got his attention. The worst case is having nuclear capacity at his fingertips, but with that extra firepower, it could have significant psychological affect on the TCA, if it comes to having to use that particular gun. the thought was pushed to the back of his when the he eyes the lead engineer of the base approached him.

"Captain, Lead Engineer, Corporal Samantha Riley of the Nellis Engineers Division. My team will be handling the application of your train's upgrades and maintenance procedures." The Corporal greeted with a salute.

"At ease Corporal." Ryan returned the gesture.

Samantha like all other military personnel was older than him. Aged in her early twenty's, average build and was surprised to see him.

"You seem surprised to see me for the first time Corporal?" Ryan asked.

"U-Uh, yeah, sorry sir. It's just, that...Words been running around base recently upon your arrival. I thought most of it were made-up bullshit, but i'm just.. Speechless. I'd never thought someone like you would be in command of the flagship, sir." Samantha replied in disbelief.

"I appreciate your honesty, Corporal. But I didn't had much of a choice, I had nowhere else to go and all my family were killed on Honolulu twelve years ago."

"I'm sorry for your losses sir." Samantha gave her condolences.

"Thank you for your kind words, Corporal. Shall we get back to topic?"

"Of course sir." Samantha says, bringing up the schedule for today's operations for her Division. "As soon as we have the upgrades unloaded, your train is to be relocated to the southern rail yards were the upgrades are being unloaded. By 9:30am, your train will be dismantled and divided up into separate slots, as shown here."

Slot 1: Reserved for Utility cars, e.g. Magazine, Fire Control, Sleepers, Infirmary, etc.
Slot 2: Reserved for AA platforms
Slot 3: Reserved for Artillery platforms
Slot 4: Reserved for Missile platforms

Warehouse 1: Reserved for "4-8-8-4" Locomotive, Tender and Water Tank car.

"The "4-8-8-4"s upgrades will be installed within a secured warehouse as seen here-" she points out the bottom point in the list. "-by Pentagon Research and Bio-Mechanics Divisions."

"Understood, I was already informed about the Pentagon Divisions by the Secretary of Defense himself." Ryan confirmed.

"Okay, when your ready, Captain, bring the "4-8-8-4" to the southern rail yards." Samantha bid the young officer a farewell.

"Thank you Corporal, your Dismissed." Ryan saluted the combat engineer.

With the schedule sorted and the upgrades ready, Captain Ryan makes his way back to the "4-8-8-4" to inform the crew of this weeks notices. Upon his arrival, all of "4-8-8-4"s crew was already assembled in front of the Railway Battleship with the Nevada sunrise beaming it's rays around the locomotive in an Aura orange glow. What a sight to remember.

"Captain on deck!" 1st Engineer Hollows barked, bringing complete silence upon the crew and giving their Captain a salute.

"At ease, crew." Ryan addressed. "As you all know, today is the first day of our long awaited shore leave!"

Upon saying this, the crew broke into wild cheers. The last time the crew of the "4-8-8-4" had their last shore leave was last Red Tuesday in the previous year, which meant the crew hasn't had a well earned break in twelve months. Thankfully, the crew will be having a two week leave until Operation: Black Friday. The designated day we take back Vegas three weeks from now.

"I know, I know what you're all thinking." Ryan says as the crew calmed down. "The last time we had been on shore leave was on this day, twelve months ago. Am I right."

The majority of the crew nodded their heads in agreement.

"Well, several hours ago, I've received a call from no other than President Sampson himself. But HEAR ME out first!" Ryan says before the crew could start jeering about him. "President Sampson offered a promise, NOT to me specifically, but to all of us."

The crew remained silent.

"The president told me, 'Captain, if you and your crew are able to force the TCA out of Nevada by Sunday, you and your crew will be dearly rewarded as great heroes and be treated as such.'

Upon hearing this, the crew were embarrassed, outraged, disgusted, insulted.

"What a bloody joke."

"Who the fuck this guy thinks he is."

"What are we, Superstars or something."

"How the hell did this asshole become President."

"It's not like we're the only ones fighting the Commies!"

"Yeah, I know how you all feel, ladies and gentlemen." Ryan says in agreement. "I feel the same way about this as a long tail Tom cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Now you're all wondering how I reacted to this, but as usual he always hangs up on me before I get a chance to say something. So guess what, boys? He can take his offer and shove it for all I care, because right now! The only thing I give a fucking Hell's Janitor about, is pushing those fucking Commie bastards all the way back into the Pacific!"

The broke out into cheers and applause to their Captain, even some of the other crews and personnel nearby gave their support to him.

"Righto boys, the AFB Engineers want this train in the southern yards by 09:30 hours. And when you done with that, secure your stations... and enjoy your shore leave men. Because you sure as hell earned it, DISMISSED."

Without hesitation, the crew dispersed and rushed back aboard their Engine of Destruction, the crew was made up of no more than a hundred and twenty strong, 10 crew for each of the two Fire Control cars, an ANZUS detachment of ninety soldiers, fifteen for the dining car and five Medical Officers will be joining the crew once the new Hospital car is attached to the train.

And thanks to the advance automated systems on the weapons platforms, no additional gunnery crews are needed to operate the weapons. Everything is either Computer Automated or Radio Controlled, but if either were to be compromised, a fail safe protocol kicks in from an A.I program contained within the Pentagon takes immediate control of the guns until the protocol is lifted or the platforms are destroyed in combat.

"Hey, cap! What are you gonna do on your shore leave?" The train's Head Chef calls out to him with a thick Scottish accent.

"First off, have a fucking shave, and then get some much needed surgery on my arm." Ryan Shouted back in the direction of the cook.

"Fair enough, lad. Best of luck with your operation!"

after a good jog back to the observation car, Ryan makes a quick check behind him to make sure that the other crews from the rear cars are aboard before he climbs aboard the last car. Once aboard, he takes a quick glance around the train's War Room. it's a shame that it's hardly ever been used by field commanders ever since the train first entered service five years ago. The only time this room it was used was when General Evelyn Grant was coordinating the assault on the TCA occupied Iowa City, two years ago. Ryan had shake the thought out of his head, before the embarrassing memories took over regarding a near mishap where he was leaving his Quarters and ended up face-first into her chest. And to make things worse, she was the daughter of the Secretary of Defense, which explains why she was at a rather young age to be a three star General.

Ryan's train of thought was derailed when he was suddenly lost his footing and stumbled onto to the holo Sit-rep table as the observation car was yanked from it's stationary position as the "4-8-8-4" began it's voyage for the Southern rail yards. Ryan took a brief moment to recompose himself before steeping through the automated bulkhead door that separates his Quarters and the War Room.

Ryan takes off his flak coat and cap and tosses each onto his bed, Ryan takes another glance into the mirror he previously glanced at earlier, only to see something completely different. Hidden with his flak coat was his left arm which is riddled with cybernetic components. Ryan lost sixty percent of his skin and flesh on his left arm to third degree burns and his left hand blown off following a devastating boiler explosion that nearly tore the "4-8-8-4" apart when a TCA Spy sabotaged the pressure meters to overload the pressure and render the "4-8-8-4" permanently decommissioned. however, the damaged body was easily repairable, thanks to a high number of spare parts that were salvage from the other Big Boy locomotives.

The incident had put Ryan into coma for two months before recovering with mandatory Cybernetics surgery, his hand was replaced with Cybernetic replica with various tubing systems that connected his his blood and nervous systems to his hand in which is required to operate on.

The burnt skin and flesh on his arm was removed to his bone to be fitted with a motion system that would let Ryan to operate his crippled arm in the same way as it was before. Much like the train itself, Ryan is getting a brand new cybernetic arm during his leave as the exposed bones had decayed over the years due to the lack of calcium intake and a way for his body to maintain the bones.

When Ryan was done inspecting his mutilated arm, he makes his way to the bathroom but stopped halfway when a thought crossed his mind.

"Computer, play soundtrack, 'War Train Anthem one'. And have it transmitted over the intercom." Ryan says to the empty room.

"Affirmative." the on board computer system replied.

Ryan waited a moment for the track to start playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUt6aGIb5Mg

"It's gonna be long day."

Ten minutes passes after departure, the "4-8-8-4" now thunders down the Nellis Southern Line, traveling at speeds up to 40kph. The train isn't due to arrive at the southern yards for another half an hour, so the crews can do little but run a few system checks and procedures before bludging it for the rest of the trip. In the forward Fire Control car, the crew led by Gunnery Officer John Holland have already completed their checks and are just enjoying the trip.

"-So around the time my mother would put on her face mask, my sister thought she decided to give it a try. But little did she know, after mum had put hers on, me and my brother had switched it with Mayo sauce. So when she walked out of the bathroom, with her face covered in Mayo, mum says to her. 'Honey, why do you have Mayo sauce on your face?'. Her reaction was. 'What! What do you mean this Mayo sauce?'. And this has to be something I never thought mum would say. 'Because it looks like you're boyfreind gave you one hell of a good blow job for it'."

The car was suddenly filled with uncontrolable laughter as most of the crew tried to keep themselves from rolling onto the floor in tears, Holland could only shake his head in amusement.

'Nellis Control to "4-8-8-4", come in "4-8-8-4".'

"Alright boys, settle down! Commands on the line." Holland ordered to the crew, as he secures the line with the Air Force base. "This is Gunnery Officer John Holland of forward Fire Control of the "4-8-8-4". We read you loud and clear, Over!"

"Roger that Gunny. Just a heads up, parimeter radars are picking up multiple Unidentified Rotor Wings in your sector. proceed with caution, over?"

"Thanks for the heads up Control, "4-8-8-4" out."

"This is Nellis Actual, we have birds in the air and are investigating the sector. Be advised, all unknowns are considered hostile until properly identified. Over and out!"

"Sir, Radar's picking up seven TCA helo's heading North-East towards Hoover Dam. Three MI-24 Hind's escorted by four MI-28 Havock's, orders?"

"Sound general quarters, all hands to air defence stations!"

"Aye, sir. At their current speed and course, we should cross paths in thirty seconds"

Within seconds every console on the car was blaring red with alarms going off.

"Enemy helos have locked onto us. Multiple missiles are homing in on us!"

"Deploy countermeasures!"

With the press of a button, Chaff Pods built into the locomotive and the magazine cars began dispersing harmless balls of fire high into the air, luring their heat-seaking preys away from the train.

"All four Havock's are closing in on the Engine!"

"Bring locomotive defences online, drop those birds!" Captain Homer ordered over the intercom.

Without hesitation, the "4-8-8-4" C-RAM's automated system kicked in upon activation. It's built in Proximity Radar locates the closest Havock and the C-RAM tracks it's targets course as it's 30mm barrel spins up and dishes out a hail of bullets at the MI-28's before they could unload their unguided cargo at the engine. The closest one instantly erupts into a ball of fire after taking a few hits to the fuel tanks, the other three dispersed immediatly as the C-RAM unloads it's deadly streaks of projectiles at the opposing gunships. Another unfortunate Havock falls victim to the AA as a hail of 20mm rounds saw off it's tail rotor and spins out uncontrollably towards the ground.

The pilots of the uncontrollable gunship could do nothing but brace themselves for a rough landing as the choper slammed onto the ground hard before comming to a quick stop, the Ruskies could sigh in relief that they had survived. But this was to be short lived when the last thing they would ever see in their lives is the ram of the "4-8-8-4" slamming into their cockpit before everything went black.

The downed Gunship was vaporised instantaniously as the "4-8-8-4" rammed it head on, shattering it into billions of pieces as the unstoppable war train continued it's lone standoff with the remaining gunships. The remaining Havocks mannaged to slip out of the C-RAM's one hundred and eighty degree View of Fire and the Railguns that sit idly on top of the locomotive's cylinder body are still offline.

"They're out of the C-Ram's firing arc, Switch to the railguns!" Holland shouted new orders to his crew.

"Automated systems are still down and charging". The primary Operator replied.

"Then hit em' with the SAM."

"Switching to Manual control."

The SAM Operator was quick to do his magic to bring the SAM online. However, with the Automated Systems due to be updated today the targeting computer was deactivated and SAM will have to be operated manually. All it took was a flick of a switch to engage Manual Control, the Operator trains the Missile Launcher towards the pacing gunships via a joystick. Both Havocks have positioned themselves between the Cab and the Tender with their menacing chin turrets trained on the armoured cab.

'Oh, no you don't!' He mentally cursed as the Launcher locked onto it's target and squeezed the trigger, sending two SAM missiles towards the enemy gunship positioned on the left of "4-8-8-4", both of them impacting the Havock as soon as they left the launcher and sent it crashing down in a blazing inferno. The last remaining Havock pulls away from the 'Engine of Destruction' and High tails it out of range only to be intercepted by patrolling F-35s and shot down with no mercy.

"This is Raptor 1-3 to "4-8-8-4", are you guys ok?"

"A little late to the party, but we sustained no damage or casualties." Captain Homer responded.

"Understood Captain Homer, any idea where did those Transpot choppers headed off to?"

"They're still heading towards the dam."

"Roger that "4-8-8-4", we'll send word to Hoover base about their guests. Raptor 1-3 out!"

"How copy Raptor 1-3, good hunting, "4-8-8-4" out."

With the situation resolved, Ryan can now relax and go back to his daily routines without any more interruptions.

"Another three kills to add to the list". He says as he wipes the left over shaving cream from his lower face and went back to his computer to make an update to today's report.