Private Tracktion and Extraction

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Tracktion and Extraction
Hawkbat ​

Too much optimism? The Rebel seemed to take the comment in stride, offering a smile and leaning her head to the side with a subtle shrug. Perhaps she was - but it was nothing she appeared to want to change. At least not now. Her posture soon changed to a nod - ushering them both to move. While she may not have carried herself with the attitude the Mysterious Stranger expected, she was very well aware of the timer they were on.

Once the two of them arrived by the doors between the second-to-last and third-to-last carriages, the issue of disabling the couplings came up. "Well" she said - her tone hinted at a less than positive outlook on their situation. "My plan was to unlink the carriages from the cockpit. For this eventuality? Maybe I should've brought some muscle." A sigh escaped her as she looked to the door and then the weapon crates.

"Let's have a look. If it comes to it, we could use those" she nodded to the crates ".. but let's see if we can avoid it before we start making a bunch of noise." With that, she pressed the button to open the first door leading out onto the insulated connector path between the carriages. There were two narrow doors on each side leading out onto small platforms on either side of the connector path. Looking out the window, Verse could see two physical couplings right by the platforms and two force-fields holding the carriages together at the top corners.

"If we can get the physical couplings off, I think we can just engage the breaks and let the force fields disconnect automatically. They probably work similarly to magnets, right?" The Rebel didn't linger for long - instead she pushed on and opened one of the doors to move out onto the platform. There, she would start pulling at the coupling lever. She tugged hard, then harder, her arms trembling with effort. With a sharp exhale she stepped back, shaking out her hands and letting out a strained sigh. Unfortunately, it seemed to be a pull which required far greater strength than she possessed. "I don't think I can do it. You wanna give it a try?"

 

[Hawkbat]

She stepped onto the narrow platform, keeping her center of gravity low. The wind clawed at her cape; the coupling sat there like a stubborn hinge between them and escape. There was always a snag waiting to happen.

"Alright," She said, voice flat through the mask. "You keep an eye on the corridor and the doors. If anyone comes, make noise and draw heat. Don’t try to hold them here. We’ll just get caged in."

She moved close enough to inspect without touching, letting her visor run diagnostic filters across the joint. No printed schematics, no obvious manual releases. Just a heavy mechanical coupling and two humming force-fields that would likely drop if the physical link was removed.

Hawkbat anchored her wrist-grapple to a solid datum on the car body; a secure point that would take torque without ripping free. She looped the line, taking a second to set the winch to low, steady tension rather than a single brutal yank. If the coupling wanted to fight, she knew it was her fight to lose.

"On three.” She murmured, more to herself than to Verse. She gave the winch a kiss of power. The cable hummed, the winch pulled, and the coupling creaked just a hair. It wasn't much, but it was something.

"Have you ever done this before?" She asked, eyes never leaving the joint. "If it separates, the train might react. Automatic systems and all.”

When the lever resisted, Hawkbat adjusted her stance and let the winch take another slow inch. Her boots dug into the platform; sweat stung at her temple but her breathing stayed measured. If brute force failed, she'd switch to plan B. Which she was still working on.

She tightened her grip and fed another fraction of power to the line. The coupling groaned again, old metal protesting after years of service. Whatever happened next would be a question of timing and luck.

"Alright," She said quietly. "If this goes, we move fast and light."

Tags: Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Tracktion and Extraction
Hawkbat ​

At least they made some progress - it budged now. Verse let out a light chuckle as the stranger asked if she had done this before. "Is it that obvious?" she asked, a playful smile danced across her lips as she shook her head. This was not something she did often. Hawkbat's theory on what might happen should they succeed was reasonable and the Rebel offered a nod to that effect.

Another united effort was produced as the robber and the thief pulled the lever hard. The resistance it offered seemed insurmountable for a few long moments. It budged but not by much. Verse's head shook as they kept applying pressure onto the lever but she'd still let out a strained "Keep pulling"

Rusted metal soon started to groan as an outer layer loosened. The resistance, while still significant, decreased dramatically. An eager look was shot to the mysterious stranger as Verse kept pulling with renewed energy. Their efforts would then be rewarded as a large chunk of rust came off at once - suddenly making the lever significantly easier to pull.

A mechanical clonk could be heard as the couplings were released. Just like Hawkbat had predicted, the force-field links up top were also disabled as the couplings came loose. "Good job! Go team!" she exclaimed, voice bright as her lips spread into a happy smile. Verse offered one hand for a high-five whilst the other pressed the button to slide the doors back open.

The fact that the carriages had been disconnected would not be immediately obvious - the momentum carried them forward at a high pace still. But it wouldn't be long before their own carts would slow down, causing the distance between them and the train to increase. Just like planned. The girl turned to start making her way to the control area at the back. "Well, seems like the hard part's over. Physical obstacles are the worst."