A/N: Hey guys! This is a little experiment I wanted to try. As you may or may not know, Thomas and Friends actually had a sister series called Tugs, which was about two fleets of tugboats competing in the city of Big City Port in the 1920's. It was short lived, but enjoyable, so I decided to do something different and try humanizing the series like I have with Thomas. Due to the content of the series it will be rated teen, and there may be minor coarse language. So without further ado, here's the first chapter. For future reference, if it is not made clear who is narrating, it is Captain Starr for those who are not familiar with how the series works.

Dedicated to David Mitton, who helped bring both Thomas and Tugs to life. May he rest in peace.

Chapter 1: Sunshine part 1

The Roaring 20's. A time for wealth, prosperity, and change. Big City Port was the largest harbor in the world at the time, and lots of contracts came from the sea. Here the Tugboat plays an important role, transporting goods into and out of port. Despite its size, the tugboat is the strongest craft afloat, and as many of my skipper were tell you, one of the most majestic. During these years I had six skippers, and they were the hardest working crew I had ever seen. Although they each were different, they knew the importance of teamwork.

My first employee was Otis Johnson, or OJ for short. He was an elder fellow, but his experience won me many a contract. He drove the last paddle driven tug in the port, and although she was old and in need of repairs she always pulled through. Next we have Big Mac and Warrior, the two brothers. Warrior was rather clumsy, and not exactly the brightest bulb on the tree, but he was a hard worker, and that meant a lot to me. Big Mac was a brave man, and never backed down from a job. They drove the two harbor tugs, and were useful in many contracts. I also had a railway tug in my fleet, and manning this machine was a man by the name of Top Hatt. He was rather pompous, not to mention blunt, but he had a heart deep down and was as hard a worker as anybody. My youngest recruit was a lad named Ten Cents. Although not as experienced as my other employees, he was a quick learner, and drove his harbor switcher like he had done it all his life. I could rely on him for anything, and often did. Lastly there was Hercules, who manned my ocean-going vessel. Although he was often out of port, and away from the action, he brought in good money, and was ready for anything. Together we made up the Star Fleet, led by me, Captain Starr. They worked hard day and night, trying to be the best fleet in the port, not always succeeding but always proved their worth.

I remember the day where we got our first big break. It began, as always, at 6:30 AM.

"Morning, Star Fleet!" I boomed out my office window. They were already awake, getting their craft ready for the days work. A few mumbles of greeting were my only reply.

"Oh, don't be like that. Besides I have some good news," I said, "First order of business, I've hired a new employee on trial to help with the extra work. Ten Cents, he'll be working with you. Show him how we do things."

"Aye aye, sir," Ten Cents said, "er, what's his name?"

"Sunshine."

"Sunshine?" Gasped Top Hatt, always one to be a drama king, "Only good for daylight, is he?"

"Ought to brighten you up a bit, eh Top Hatt?" Ten Cents replied. A few laughs came from everyone else, while Top Hatt seethed in fury.

"Alright, alright, settle down," I said, "Give Sunshine a chance, will you? Now on to the important news. After a lot of hard bargaining I managed to get the Ocean Liner Contract. This afternoon we'll be bringing in The Duchess."

My employees perked up at that. While Ocean Liners were no stranger to us, The Duchess was one of the most extravagant ocean liners in the world. To bring her into port would be an honor most could only dream of.

"Alright, here are your positions. OJ, you're in charge. Big Mac will lead, and Top Hatt and Warrior will be on the side push."

"Sorry, little Ten Cents," Top Hatt said snootily, "Only experienced workers on this job. Better luck next time."

"Just make sure not to upset her" Ten Cents replied.

"Alright, briefing over, now get to work," I said, wrapping things up, "Ten Cents, find Sunshine and take him on your fuel delivery. The rest of you are to do your normal jobs, and make sure you all look your best by this Afternoon. Especially you, Warrior. Our employers won't be impressed if The Duchess smells like garbage, and neither will her passengers."

Our biggest rivals in those days were Captain Zero and his fleet, known as the Z-stacks. A mysterious and conniving individual, he was always looking for ways to get ahead, not all of them legal.

"Now listen to me and listen good," he snarled through his megaphone to his skippers, "The Star Fleet just got the ocean liner contract, and I'm not happy!"

"We're not smiling, Captain Zero," Zorran chimed in.

"I'm glad you don't find this funny, Zorran. Now I want that contract and you're going to get it for me."

"But sir," Zip, who was rather dim-witted, "I thought…"

"I don't care what you think!" Zero snapped, "You lot are superior to that Star Fleet in every way. You're more cunning, faster, better looking, and most importantly, devious."

"I like the part about being better looking," Zack said.

"Don't you worry, Captain," Zorran stepped up, "I'll get that contract if my name isn't Zorran."

"But it is Zorran, isn't it?"

A/N: And that's a wrap! Sorry to cut it short, but since tugs is longer in episode length than Thomas I need to split the stories into parts, and this seemed like a good place to stop. Anyway, let me know what you think. The next part, if this story goes well, will be up tomorrow. Bye!