Quiet conversation fills the rail-car as time ticks by. The figures outside of the car continue to speak among themselves, pausing briefly when the lights both outside and inside begin to buzz and flicker. They don’t die but they do briefly dim, humming with quiet effort before full and fluorescent illumination returns to the car.

It’s after that brief interruption that the doors slide open once again.  

A short, dark haired woman in Imperium uniform enters, flanked by four of the soldiers that had been milling around outside. The men take position at front and back of the car while the woman addresses the occupying passengers: 

[img]https://i.imgur.com/k3RShh2.png[/img]

“Ladies. My name is Captain Wei, I’ll be escorting you to Calcaria’s military base.” Her tone is crisp and formal, information delivered at a break-neck pace. “A heavy front of Nox is moving in from the north and it’s been decided that it would be unsafe to send you through it. We’ll be holding you over a day or two until it clears.” 

Explanation given the woman makes a signal to the operators outside, and with a gentle shudder the rail-car begins to move. It lurches forward along the track, clearing the station in a matter of seconds. The track running from the airship docks provides a spectacular view of the city as the car glides down toward the city surface, and those looking out the windows find a sea of lights spread out before them. 

As the car picks up speed buildings move by faster, buildings rolling quickly past the windows. Once they reach the ground they pass through what must be the central station, a web of tracks and moving cars that necessitates a brief slowdown. From the window they can see clusters of people moving through the bustling station, the waves of bodies pausing briefly as the lights flicker and dim for a brief moment. A tremor of darkness runs through the surrounding buildings as well, until steady illumination returns a few seconds later.

“They’re redirecting power to the diffuses.” Wei comments in explanation. Considering her earlier remark about a heavy influx of Nox it’s likely the cities defenses need the boost. Such occurrences aren’t common, but it’s likely each of the girls in the car have experienced it at least once. The cities Ars Magi are most likely deployed as well, to contain anything that breaks through, something confirmed with Wei’s next statement:

“I’m afraid your original escort was needed elsewhere. I’ll do my best to answer any questions you might have in the meantime.”

The car begins to accelerate once more, leaving the central station and heading onward tower its destination. Occasionally other trains can be seen passing by, flashing by the window. Other stations similarly pass by, filled with waiting pedestrians.