The train slowed. Through the toughened glass window, Kurt saw the signal ahead blink from red to
green. He eased up on the brakes, and the train effortlessly regained its speed.
As the train neared the signal, Kurt frowned and lowered the soda bottle from his lips. There was a
bluish glow around it, casting a few sparks out into the surrounding darkness.
Looks like the signal's about to short out. Kurt reached out to the radio mike that kept all drivers in
constant touch with the centralized control system. Better call it in—
The thought died in midstream as Kurt's eyes opened wide in amazement. The mysterious blue light
had detached itself from the signal and was hovering and pulsating six feet above the tracks.
"Kurt?" Section Controller Jack Icke's voice crackled from the cab speaker. "You have something to
say, buddy?"
"Yeah, you bet," Kurt began. But scarcely had he got the words out when he broke off again.
The blue globe of light flew toward him at incredible speed and hurled itself at the cab window.
Instinctively Kurt threw up one hand to protect himself. But the Plexiglas remained intact as the light
passed right through it.
There was a tingle like static electricity as the ball touched his skin. Then Kurt's mind went blank,
and his entire body spasmed with bone-deep pain as the globe of light sank into his flesh.
"Kurt? Kurt, you still there?" Jack Icke asked.
But Kurt Glaser wasn't there. His consciousness was stilled, his identity usurped. Whoever—or
whatever— was controlling him reached out to crush the crackling intercom, splintering it into
pieces. Warning lights flashed red on the monitor panel as the train's speed began to increase
dramatically.