Bigg City Port's devious Z-Stacks have been shouting at each other for their recent failures, which only lead to Captain Zero continuously getting angrier than ever. It would not be until the beginning of December, 1926 where the Z-Stacks were to fully achieve to success. Ironically, Zorran was not the tug who was most fed up for the failures.
"I am SO fucking fed up with this business!" shouted Zak, who roared closer to Captain Zero's office, ready to shout louder. "You and the rest of this fleet WILL start getting off your asses once I bring you lot something I am thinking about. Wait and see; it will get us ahead of the Stars by a long shot!"
"You are part of WHY we are still poor, idiot," Zorran retorted. "We ALL are! And you know what? I got something else in mind, so maybe THAT will get us completely afloat instead of your little idea."
"Oh you have not seen anything yet," Zak muttered, drifting off to sleep.
December 7, 1926: It was one in the morning, and as the Z-Stacks were still asleep, Zak managed to wake up without the others noticing. He then revved up his engine and slowly crept away from the Zero Dock. For the first time, there was a succession of not waking up the others.
Zak had attempted to sneak out of the dock several times since joining the Z-Stacks, but he was lucky enough to not wake Zorran up. It would be the first time where he would not have bumped into another Zero while escaping. This was Zak's chance. His chance to see if his idea of getting the fleet back in order would fully work.
The tug then crossed the border between Bigg City Port, and its neighboring port, Anastasia Port. Zak then started observing the changes the port had since the last moments he lived there. Anastasia Port was where he was built, where he grew up at. He had made it home.
Zak then made way towards the outskirts of the port, where there were two large sheds able to house several tugs at a time. He crept slowly towards them, noticing that there were noises coming from the inside of both warehouses. He then rammed one of the doors recklessly, surprising all of the tugs that were inside.
"We are back in business!"
"Let's wake up, you lazy lot!" Captain Zero called out from his megaphone, as it was time for the Z-Stacks' briefing. "Zip and Zug, there are still some-." Before he could finish, he noticed Zak was missing. "WHERE THE FUCK IS ZAK?!"
Suddenly, the Z-Stacks heard Zak's whistle from the distance, noticing that behind Zak were not one, not five, not even eight, but FOURTEEN tugboats sailing into Bigg City Port. Captain Zero could not believe his eyes. He then immediately ran outside to see the new tugs, willing to know more about them and why Zak brought them to the pier.
"Zak, you fat bastard," Zero snapped. "You do know that you were not supposed to leave port unless bought by a non-native fleet or private owner, right? Well…You know what? I will let this one slide because I want to know who the fuck these tugs are!"
Of the fourteen tugs, there were six harbor tugs, six harbor switchers, one ocean tug, and a rare double stack tug. The tugs had members from all around the globe, ranging from American to British to French and even Ukrainian! Most of the tugs also wore fedoras much like the Z-Stacks. Despite the amount of tugs Zak brought in, neither tug was owned by anyone. Some had liveries from companies they were built at or former fleets they used to work in. The liveries were not identical in any shade of color.
"I just met these guys!" Zak laughed. "I told them all about our business, and they are willing to help at larger opportunities for big bucks! You know, Star Fleet competition! Competition where they tend to win so easily! You will get along with them; they told me that they have tactics and skills that will get us ahead as long as this fleet lasts!"
The fourteen tugs then approached slowly towards the other Z-Stacks. They then began observing them carefully, trying to determine if the fleet was worth helping or not. Just then, one of the switchers, an Italian-American Moran tug named Costello, looked back at Zak with a beaming smile.
Costello was a tug built at Bigg City Port, New York by the port's Moran Company back in 1900. Costello was already working at the port before both the Star and Zero Fleets began, where he originally wanted a position for a fleet who owned the Star Fleet building previously, the Quad Fleet. The fleet had shut down before he could help the captain pay for him to take him in as the fleet's fifth tug. Costello's extreme intelligence came from his earliest experiences as an independent tug in 1909 after his bad temper got him sent packing from both his company and upriver work, leading him to learn tug work and experience his own way. To make up for his small size, the tug was an expert with coming up with ways for success, both using advanced tactics and strategies. Costello wore a black fedora and spoke in a fluent Italian accent. He was also bilingual, speaking both English and Italian. He resembled a tug named Ned Moran.
He was a tug the Z-Stacks would happily count on.
"You got yourselves success," he laughed. "When is the next competition with next door, eh? First off, we want to have a word with your rivals." Zorran then moved slowly next to Costello, telling him and the rest of the visitors that it would be in two days. He then gave permission for the tugs to start taunting the Stars as soon as all eight of the vessels would return to the Star Fleet dock.
All of the Stars were back home around sunset, all returning from work, only to see a surprise from next door. As they moored towards their berths, they noticed the ocean-going tug and the smallest tug of the bunch, moving towards them with smirks on their faces.
"Well, well, are you not little goody-goodies Zak's rivals?" asked the American ocean-tug, Darby. Darby was almost completely identical to Hercules, both being close to the same exact age and being built at similar companies in 1907 at Camden, New Jersey. However, Darby was several feet taller. Like several of the newcomers, Darby was a former fleet member.
When Darby was young, he always wondered if he could end up being a criminal one day due to his members' criminal offences. He used to work in Camden's Liesl Fleet after the company owner closed down the company in 1913. Two harbor tugs always fought with one another to the point one day, Darby had enough and managed to beat up both of them, just like how some of his company members beat each other up when he was five years old to the point the owner had enough and sent the men packing. Darby was then expelled from the fleet, with the Liesl Fleet closing down shortly after the expulsion. He then turned to enthusiasm in breaking the law, vandalizing nearby cargo and committing assault. Darby had a plaid flat cap, a black mustache, a red-orange livery, and spoke in a Bronx accent. He resembled the ocean tug, Goliah.
"We just came by to greet you on this fine sunset. We were brought here to officially have the Z-Stacks beat you permanently!" Darby added. "We know shit about competition; many of us did too much of it before! Presumably, you do not have as much knowledge, eh?"
"Oh dear, Hercules!" Sunshine then was in a deep shock. "They got one of both of us too!"
Hercules then moved closer to the two tugs. "Darby and Nolin, huh?" the ocean tug wondered. "What do you think you are doing around here, m'dears? We just got home, and we do not want any nonsense from you either. Please push off and leave us in peace."
"Leave you in peace?" retorted Nolin, the Brazilian-Portuguese tug. "You see here, Hercules; we have come here to put your half-assed fleet back in the gutter. The gutter I mean, defunct and in poverty. Your good pals next door have been in such fucking position for a long time, but now, that will change thanks to Zak! He got us here, and we will help them get to where they have never been before."
"Is it just me, or is my hearing impaired?" Top Hat snapped to the small switcher. "I cannot hear a word you are saying, you midget."
"What he was saying is these thugs want to get the Z-Stacks to where they never have accomplished anywhere so far before," Hercules said.
Nolin was the lot's youngest tug, being built in 1914 at Bahia, Brazil. His birth company was filled with troubled and rowdy crew members, plus a private family who had strict expectations in order for him to be an independent and successful tug. He was often spoiled to where by 1921, he lost the respect he had gotten for years after tantrums that occurred when a fleet he helped out lost an important contract. Nolin then became a bully towards both vessels and even going as far as taking a dislike towards children. After getting dry-dock for arson for nearly a month, he reformed until arriving in America in 1925, where his bad behavior came again. Nolin's appearance was much like the tugboat, Mathilda. He had freckles as his facial features and spoke in a Portuguese accent. Nolin was also trilingual, in which he spoke Portuguese, Spanish, and English.
"Just for your information," Sunshine sighed, breaking the brief silence. "At the Star Fleet headquarters, swearing is prohibited. It does not follow the fleet's name and is considered highly inappropriate."
"We can swear as we wish," Darby hissed.
Suddenly, Captain Star stuck his megaphone outside the building. "What are you two tugs doing here? What business do you have here? If nothing comes to mind, then please leave."
"Ah, vá se foder, Star!" Nolin shouted, "Oh, fuck off, Star" in his native language. "We just come here to give your team a friendly hello; I mean hello as in you all will not be so ahead anymore! The Z-Stacks will be ahead and will be accomplished by far like never before."
"Really now?" the captain asked. "Basically, whoever brought you here is committing some unfair cheating. I am gonna see if the authorities will do anything about it. You and Darby, I will now only say this once more: LEAVE!"
The two tugs gave in and left with no further arguing, as both of them were already hatching some devious plans for the next Star vs. Zero competition.
December 9, 1926: There was a visiting ocean liner to Bigg City Port called the S.S. Luna. She was a four stacker like S.S. Vienna, but her design resembled more like Princess Alice. The Star Fleet had the contract to tow her, which had been received back in August. It would be the third time where the Z-Stacks had a plan to sabotage the operation, but the tugs Zak brought in would have the fleet guaranteed to take the contract instead.
Unlike most ocean liner operations, Hercules was present and up front as the Star Fleet were doing a fine job with S.S. Luna. Fortunately for the Stars, there was no sign of Zak's friends, but the downside happened to be that Zip and Zug were watching from an abandoned dock. What the Stars did not know was there was a trap set up by the two switchers. Several minutes later, Warrior was able to notice some cargo boxes floating right in front of S.S. Luna.
"Aw come on!" Warrior sighed, as he watched the boxes float slowly. "Oh look, these boxes are just like tiny snails. Oh, I wonder who was responsible for this! I know, it is Zorran!"
"For once, he is not at fault," O.J. replied. "Look, there is some parts of sunken barges, and they are coming this way! Come on, start turning her to the left before they get here!" Before he could say anymore, the Coast Guard arrived. "Oh, Coast Guard! Have you seen anything?"
"The cargo blocking your path was meant to be delivered to a tramper Big Mac was supposed to visit later this afternoon, but apparently these two little Zeroes were quite despicable with you lot." The small authority vessel then had some police tugs show Zip and Zug to the fleet's faces. "What a breakthrough these thugs caused! I never thought I would see them hindering any job you Stars had without getting Zorran, Zebedee, AND even Zak involved!"
Warrior was then sent to collect Mighty Mo and Little Ditcher to help clear the mess Zip and Zug had caused. Immediately after the Stars were cleared to get S.S. Luna to a liner dock, Zip and Zug were fined for the damage done.
"They are not the same anymore," O.J. muttered.
Meanwhile, at the Zero dock, even Captain Zero was angry at Zip and Zug for not getting the contract. However, he was pleased they were able to hinder the operation by themselves.
"We overheard that O.J. stated that we are not the same anymore," Zug said, guilty that Zero had to pay for the switchers' vandalism. "Is that true?"
"With such time wasted with the Stars' operation, I will have to say yes. Oddly enough, I think you two might have hit puberty not too long ago either. I am seeing those changes in you two physically, especially with you, Zip! Getting a mustache like Zorran's. Zug, it appears you are not looking so baby faced as you were last year!"
"Captain Zero, sir?" Zip asked. "We will try not to foil you again, I swear!"
"Zak did say get off your asses, right? Well, with his friends about, you two are also in my eyes completely unstoppable! But apparently, you handed this foiled task without them too! But you two were fined, so you will go to dredger detail for the next three days! I will think of some other work for the harbor tugs, and if Zak brings the visitors over during your punishment, you get out of punishment and will help out them instead!"
Captain Zero then left the office for the night.
December 25, 1926: The Z-Stacks decided on leaving the Stars alone for Christmas, leaving Bigg City Port with Captain Zero's consent to celebrate with the visitors. This left the Stars in such fortune where they were able to have Christmas in peace. That was until one of Zak's visitors stopped by to visit with a vandalism plan at hand.
"Today is my birthday, and for that, I get to lead a nice little treat for you lot." The Australian tug was called Yule, hence why his birthday was on Christmas. He was built at Sydney, Australia in 1908, revealing he had just turned eighteen years old. Yule got his name from the word yuletide, considering why his birthday was on Christmas. Yule was bullied for his skinny wheelhouse and his voice for several years, but he was able to overcome it by the time he was brought by a wealthy man at the other side of the harbor. His bullies wanted forgiveness afterwards, but Yule demonstrated his fearless behavior and did not forgive them. He started to easily stand up to anybody, even older ships and people. Yule was also the type of tug who would give presents to his loved ones every holiday, but on the Thanksgiving of 1921, the gifts he gave were actually those he stole. He got punished and banished from Sydney and started off work in the USA at the state of Louisiana. He changed his ways until he met his friends after leaving to New York where he was let in by Costello. He was able to put his fearlessness and crimes such as battery, theft, and vandalism to the test, making him one of the more respected tugs. Yule had a plaid flat cap, black livery and smokestack, and brown bangs and mustache. He spoke in an Australian accent. He resembled a tugboat called Augusta.
The "nice little treat" that Yule was going to give the Star Fleet was not going to be one that would really hurt them in the long run and to benefit the Z-Stacks greatly. At nightfall, immediately after the Stars were asleep, Yule brought in three other tugs: French harbor tug, Lionel, Italian-American switcher, Luciano, and Italian switcher, Vittorio. The three tugs were going to follow Yule and deal with his signature stolen gift act. There were still presents the Star Fleet had yet to look over, and the visitors had their chance to ruin the rest of Christmas for the fleet. They stole their gifts and immediately brought them back to where Zak was.
"These are for you, mates!" Yule smiled. "Merry Christmas!"
January 3, 1927: It had been several days since the Star Fleet was robbed off with the gifts they forgot to look at, in which were stolen by Yule. However, there was not any sign of the authorities finding anything involving the theft. Suddenly, Captain Star started to find suspicion that Zak's friends were more than just visitors.
"What is wrong with the authorities?" he shouted at his fleet. "Do we all know how important those gifts were? We stored them in a warehouse that I was able to lock, and somehow the tugs got in? Why are not they arrested?"
"Cops do not come out late at night," Warrior answered.
"No, Warrior," Hercules sighed. "Cops come out 24/7, and if they are not doing their job, I suspect that these newcomers are more than likely either intimidating or bribing them."
"Hercules is right!" Captain Star then slammed his hands towards his desk. "These tugs, dear God! And it was Zak who brought them here! I am going off to investigate whether or not these officers are actually doing their job or not! If not, then they are corrupted!"
Captain Star was out and about, asking citizens left and right about the authorities. Those who answered told him that they were just slacking off, but one in particular decided to cooperate and give out the information.
"My name is Klaus Tel," the man told him. "The police are suddenly growing more and more rebellious towards their bosses, being unable to really stop that many criminals. I grew up at Anastasia Port, and I heard many stories about a gang of tugs that terrorize the port with their crimes, where they begin bribing and intimidating the police and continuing on from there. It has gotten worse now that the police are getting corrupted here at Bigg City as well!"
"Well, for a month now, these tugs have been damaging my fleet with helping my rival fleet get all the work. But maybe you are up to something. Tell me more about them!"
"They are mobsters. Gangsters. They started in 1889 when three tugs were expelled from Anastasia's famous Perry Fleet for reckless behavior, and since they formed the gang, the crime rate increased and new tugs come in left and right! Four bosses have ran them in the span of thirty-eight years now."
Captain Star began to lose patience with Klaus. "I got serious paperwork to do soon, and all I need now is what does the gang go by? Captain Zero will not tell me, his tugs will not tell me, and even the tugs themselves will not say anything!"
"These so-called visitors that came here last month are infamously known as the X-Ass…I mean X-Aces. I was about to call them assholes because literally, they ARE the biggest assholes I have ever met watercraft wise. And no, I never worked with any affiliates of them. All I know is my father and uncle are retired officers, and they stayed out of their influence. Hell, they nearly saved Anastasia back in 1902 when they got close to capturing nearly every mobster!"
"All right, all right. That is a great story and all, but I will tell my fleet more about them, so in the near future, they will really take some action and try to get more of their work back."
"If you need any more information and help, come to me!"
Captain Star then agreed, and he drove back to the Star dock to get back to his paperwork. He started to think about how Klaus would be able to play a role into helping him and his fleet retrieve their reputation and a proper business back. To him, he needed more help. He needed police not yet corrupted, he needed aid from other watercraft; he really needed whatever it took regardless of the risks that laid ahead.