(Introduction) The Track is Set - Category C

A reliable and sturdy transport, Entralla’s Intraplanetary train system had been used by corporations across the planet to securely move bulk goods to and from anywhere on the surface. After its purchase by Galentro Heavy Works, the system now was mainly used by Galentro and its loosely-affiliated subsidiary, Mot-ArenX Transport solutions. As the Galactic Empire made its way out to the outer rim, the system was largely managed and directed for the ease of its new top customer’s enormous industrial needs. 

In this time, a predictable routine could be expected when the train TCb-108* stopped to receive new cargo and refuel at the last station before the Entrallan capital of Nexus City. First, the train would dutifully slow to a stop at the direction of its conductor. A tall and ill-tempered Mot-ArenX manager would then exit a side office on the administrative building to confirm TCb-108’s cargo. Meeting her just outside the enormous train, one of Galentro’s officers would relay the same message every time:

“Cargo?” started the manager.

“Bulk mechanical supplies for the sector fleet.”

“Right,” came the reply, “Wait for inspection and refueling before continuing.”

The manager would then return to her office and allow a couple of Mot-ArenX patrol officers to glance over the mechanical parts and tools in TCb-108’s trailing cars. A thousand times this exact exchange occurred without fail. 

Months later, TCb-108 made this trip with a slightly different cargo. One extra person, a more senior Galentro official, joined the ride to this last station. Once there, the manager once again exited her office with her two patrol officer companions. However, she was greeted not by the usual officer, but by the glum looking senior officer. He began speaking to the manager in a practiced and diplomatic tone, as if he had delivered this information hundreds of times before. 

“... Empire… gone. This station… new jurisdiction.”

With every sentence uttered by the officer, the manager seemed to grow in stature. Her face grew red and presented a stark contrast to the diminutive Galentro authorities. However, they continued speaking, ignoring the obvious agitation.

“Due to the new Alignment… Mot-ArenX… no longer Independent. … Galentro Heavy Works has agreed… cede control of…”

When the senior officer finished his speech, he looked to the ground for a moment before returning to the control room of TCb-108. For her part, the manager was back to her standard, but still impressive height. She paused for a long moment before turning to the other Galentro officer and once again asking for this load’s manifest. Despite the shock of the announcement, the rest of the routine remained unchanged. Just as before, the patrol officers performed a quick inspection before moving off the train, talking in quick, angry whispers. 

The next time TCb-108 pulled into that station, the manager once again headed out to the train to confirm with 108’s usual Galentro officer. This time, she donned a Galentro uniform instead of the old Mot-ArenX one. Regardless, almost nothing about the usual routine changed.

“Cargo?”

“Bulk mechanical supplies for the Patrol fleet.”

“Of course,” replied the manager, “Wait here for inspection and refueling before continuing.”

Once the ritual was finished, she motioned to the regular two patrol officers, also in new Galentro gear. Moving slowly through the train, the officers poked through neatly stacked crates and containers of repair equipment and general maintenance supplies. Everything listed on the manifest seemed to be present and accounted for. All was normal until they entered the last car. Located in a small group in the middle of the car was a stack of numbered crates. To most of the train’s previous inspectors, these few numbered crates were no different than any of the others surrounding them. 

These last few containers were not searched by the two patrol officers. Instead they left the car and turned to look at the manager, who remained on the platform and was watching them closely. Checking that the Galentro Officer had returned to the train control room, the manager gave the two patrol officers a brief nod. The nod was returned, and one of them began walking back towards their usual post.

The other officer stayed for a moment longer. Long enough to notice the remnants of the old Mot-ArenX logo on the side of the car, replaced by the obscenely large Galentro Heavy Works logo. The patrol officer gave a quick smirk before joining his partner at their post.

What the train’s conductor and the Galentro officer on board didn’t know was just how much firepower lay within that last car. Blasters, detonators, sabotage equipment, and crates and crates of ammunition all lay untouched and decidedly un-inspected in those last, unremarkable crates.

And the train left the station once more, departing for the Entrallan capital of Nexus City. Only the manager and her two patrol officers knew what was resting in the last car. Well, them and TCb-108, of course. But TCb-108 was a train and therefore could not tell any of the sentient Galentro officials about the last car’s contents. Besides, there had recently been talk throughout the stations of replacing all the older, first generation trains with a brand new second version once Galentro was completely in charge.

This build has a footprint of 34x20

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