You are Franklin Donald Richardson, one of the original humans changed. You can still remember the day. August 28, 2099. Currently, it is December 10, 2176. (It was recently found that, once changed, people didn't age.) and your group, the Railroad Rednecks, is in what used to be Griffin, Georgia. Now, Griffin is an outpost for the Georgia National Guard, known as Outpost Spalding. The nearby town of Zebulon is now The Republic of Pike, an independent Republic supported by the GNG. Surprisingly, predators and prey live equally in most of the American South. This is due to the fact that the pre-anthro companies had been making meat substitutes that were nearly exactly like meat. Same texture, same nutrients, etc. These substitutes were mostly made in the south, and the many State National Guards kept this fragile infrastructure alive and safe. The main uniting force between the SNGs, towns, independent republics and survival groups: The railroads. Since modern diesel locomotives were completely fried, steam and, now, early diesel (EMDs up to the SD40 and F40PHs up to 1980, all ALCo diesel, GEs up to the U30) were used to keep the South fed and unified. Recently, someone got a 1971 GMC C10 to run, so there is still hope for the roads, but it is unlikely that the roads will ever be at the same volume they were before the Anthrofiaction.
---Pre-Story Text Over---
"So, the Confederates and the Union both claimed victory at Chickamauga?" Tim Kellthorpe, your best friend, says. Tim is a beaver, but, unlike you, he was one before the anthrofiacation. Tim hopped on with you in Jackson, Mississippi after showing that he was docile and could help. He was a bit uninformed on human history, however, but he is eager to learn and you often teach him on breaks.
"Yes, both forces claimed victory at Chickamauga. Want to know why?"
"Oh, yes please!"
"Alright. The Confederates claimed victory as they had pushed the Union back off the battlefield. The Union claimed victory because they had captured the city of Chattanooga. Speaking of Chattanooga, I believe that it's along our route northwards. I believe that the Historical Markers still stand. Would you like to see those?"
"Oh, yes! Please do! I'd love to learn more about this... Civil War, was it?"
"Yes, that's what it's generally called. Oh, and I'm glad to see that you like to learn. Most converted from animals don't even consider learning, much less the history of a completely different species. Tell ya what, next abandoned school we come across, I'll get you a history book and an atlas."
"R-really? Thank you so much!"
"No problem, Tim. Really."
As you finished your history lesson with Tim, an unfamiliar fox walked up to you. You turned your head and asked, "Can I help you?"
"Yes, I'm General Jacob Holmes, GNG. I need to get to Locust Grove. Can I hitch a ride with y'all?"
This seems suspicious. The National Guard usually radios ahead to let the railwaymen know when they need a ride. It could be an emergency, or this man could be a faker. What do you do?