The guardians, along with Ander and Andrew, searched every corner while Luke inspected the locomotives with Don Saúl.
"I hope this plan works… to get out of here and reach the outer watch base," Ander said hopefully.
"Saúl is a railway man. He worked most of his life on this. If anyone can make it run, it’s him," Andrew replied with confidence.
"We’re lucky to have found him. At eighteen I thought about becoming a soldier or a railway engineer…" Ander commented.
Andrew stopped walking through the hangar.
"You’re a suicidal kid, I see. You picked the two most dangerous professions instead of a quiet life," he replied with a wry smile.
"But you also chose one of the Divisions. I heard you were a soldier and then switched to mining. Why?"
Andrew sighed and calmly listed them, raising his open hand and showing five fingers.
"At eighteen I thought:
- Railway engineer: too much responsibility, not enough action.
- Track guard: more action, but fixing rails sounded boring.
- Miner: quiet, important work, but risk of being crushed.
- Structural engineer: didn’t want to spend my life worrying about walls.
- Soldier: high risk, but I didn’t care; I just wanted to serve my community and see the outside world."
Ander was curious about Andrew’s simple outlook on life.
"The outside world… I’ve always wanted to see it. And now, if this works, I will—but not the way I expected," Ander said thoughtfully.
Andrew glanced up at the warehouse ceiling.
"Running from the place that kept you safe for so many years."
Their conversation was interrupted by the roar of a locomotive engine starting.
They had done it: a means of escape.
Luke stepped out of the driver’s cab.
"I got it running. Do you think it can make it to the outer watch base?" he asked.
"As long as we supply enough fuel," Don Saúl replied.
The group began loading supplies and shared food among themselves.
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"Here, Dante, eat something," Néstor said.
"No, thanks. Don’t waste it on me," Dante replied weakly.
"Giving up so easily? Eat it, or I’ll shove it down your ass…" Néstor shot back, trying to cheer him up.
Meanwhile, Don Saúl, Ander, and Andrew headed to the control room to open the exit gate.
But behind it waited a massive pack of hostiles.
At the sound of the gears opening, they stirred and began to roar.
The guardians managed to kill the first ones that entered, but Don Saúl quickly shut the gate.
"It’s infested out there. We can’t open it without letting them in," he warned.
The pounding of hostiles against the gate echoed through the warehouse.
Ander turned to Andrew.
"We’ll have to clear the area first," he suggested.
"I don’t think so. Too many. We’d waste ammo and draw more," Andrew replied firmly.
"It’s too risky. You two should get on the locomotive before it’s too late," Don Saúl said.
Ander looked at him.
"You mean leave you? Of course not."
"It’s the best way. Once you’re aboard, I’ll open the gate and you’ll drive the machine out. Only then can you avoid the fight," Don Saúl insisted.
"Sir, the hostiles will get in. You won’t have time to open and close the gate if you wait for us," Ander warned.
"He knows that, kid," Andrew said.
Tension filled the room.
The choice was clear: risk everything in an impossible fight or trust Don Saúl’s experience and the locomotive’s speed.
"I’ve lived long enough, son. I can’t keep running; I’m already on borrowed time. At last, I’ll reunite with my wife after so many years," Don Saúl said calmly.
"Well, Saúl, looks like you’ve made your choice, and I thank you," Andrew added respectfully.
Ander shook Don Saúl’s hand.
"Your sacrifice will be remembered," he affirmed.
The pounding on the gate grew stronger, slowly forcing it open.
"What are you waiting for? Run!" Don Saúl shouted.
Ander and Andrew sprinted back to their companions to explain the situation.
Don Saúl watched them go, his hand firm on the access lever.
Andrew rushed to the others.
"Quick, someone get this thing moving—we have to leave now!" he ordered.
"But Mr. Saúl… where is he?" Italia asked, worried.
"He’ll open the gate so we can escape," Ander said, his voice breaking.
The group understood immediately, honoring his sacrifice with silence.
"We need someone to drive this. No time to waste. Anyone know how?" Luke asked.
"Even basic knowledge will do," Andrew added.
Noah raised his hand nervously.
"My father was an operator, but I never…"
"Perfect, you’re our new captain. Let’s go!" Andrew interrupted.
The group hurried aboard the locomotive.
Noah, trembling, managed to start it thanks to memories of his father’s lessons.
Don Saúl, realizing this, pulled the lever and opened the gate.
A flood of hostiles poured into the warehouse, but the locomotive surged forward, crushing those in its path.
From above, everyone fired at the hostiles trying to climb aboard.
Ander saw some break away, heading toward the control room.
Don Saúl remained calm, seated, listening to the pounding and growls outside.
From his pocket, he pulled a photo of himself with his wife.
He smiled at it, ignoring the chaos around him.
Time stopped for him.
Her image was all that mattered. He paid no attention to the hostiles breaking in; it was as if there was no sound at all.
Don Saúl was happy, gazing at the photo—until it was stained with blood.
He had been attacked.
From the locomotive, Ander watched as hostiles poured into the control room.
His heart raced, realizing that sometimes sacrifices were necessary for the greater good.
Thanks to Don Saúl, they escaped.