Allen Tx (Part 5).

The chapter captures the journey of an Amtrak train as it weaves through the American South, setting a tone of quiet tension and introspection. It alternates between richly detailed descriptions of the train's interior, its passengers, and the passing landscapes, and the covert mission unfolding within. The narrative focuses on Captain Marcus Reynolds, a guarded intelligence officer, who sits in his roomette with an encrypted briefcase containing a crucial drive.

Simultaneously, a covert operation led by Dwayne and executed by Serena unfolds. Serena, disguised as a train attendant, infiltrates Reynolds' compartment, balancing charm and deception to secure the critical data drive. The chapter crescendos with an unexpected intrusion by two assailants, leading to a tense fight where Serena uses the chaos to switch the real drive with a decoy. The scene ends with Serena reporting her success to Dwayne while Reynolds, unaware of the breach, reflects on the unsettling events as the train presses deeper into the night.