The morning sky was clear as the sun was just starting to rise, but there were all ready sounds of hard work in the distance, coming nearer. A mouse, which was walking along the Grass, suddenly jumped away, as with an Hiss and a clang, a small Steam Locomotive rolled over the grass. The Loco pulled a long line of Trucks, loaded with Machine parts, Tank Ammunition, and hanging at its end were some Fuel Tankers. The Train rolled over a small hill, and soon clanged into an Hangar, where 4 rows of Tanks were standing. A young Man, with black hair and brown eyes, an small beard and an scar, running from the bottom of his left eye, and running along his left cheek, an Railroad man Hat and glasses looked out of the Window of the Loco and smiled as he passed a M4A3E2 Tank, and started to slow the Train down. He jumped out of the Cab and walked back to the Coupling, uncoupled the Train and went back to his Engine. He was just about to drive off when he heard a shout. He stopped, looked around, but couldn't see anyone. He turned back to the Cab, got into the 0-6-0 Tank Engine, and slowly steamed forward. He looked around, searching for the Person who shouted, when the Engine suddenly shook, and stopped. He was slightly confused by this, and looked out of the Cab, just to see an old Truck, parked on the Tracks, with an young man, roughly the same Age as he was, lying on the Ground, rubbing his head, and trying to get back on his feet. The Loco driver grabbed him by the Shoulder, and pulled him onto his feet.
"What are you doing here Private Fowler?! You should be at the tankery Clubhouse, or in your Bed!" Said the Man.
"Sorry Captain McCoach, Sir! But I was sent down here to search you." Said the Private.
"Search me? Why did you search for me this early?!" Said McCoach.
"I was searching you since yesterday evening! But I couldn't find you, so I took a little nap here, and waited till you come up here with your morning supply run." Explained Fowler.
"Ok now, why do you want to see me?" The Captain asked.
"I was send to you from the Head of School, he wanted to see you, tomorrow, or better said today, at 7am."
"Good too know. You can go now and get some sleep. And tank that stupid truck from the Rails!" Said McCoach as the walked back to his Engine.
6:55am, Principle Office
"You wanted to see me Sir?" Asked McCoach as he sat down in front of the large Desk of the Principle.
"Yes, I wanted to talk to you about one of our Sister Schoolships, the Saunders Girls High School, I think you know it?" Said the Principle, an elderly Man with slightly Gray Hair, large moustache and small Glasses.
"Of course! They fought at the Japanese Tankery Competition last Month! I heard that they lost to an group of Newbies. I was pretty much confused how they lost that match, seeing that they had 9 Sherman's, and a Firefly, while they had such small and weak ones! But good for the others, I say. What's wrong with them?" McCoach said.
"Well, as you see, the International Tankery Commission has started a Project, to see if Tankery Teams with both Genders are better than male, and female only. So for that, they want to send a Male Team of Tankery Teams to each Female Team, and see if there are any changes in the Statistics of the Fights- and The School board and I have decided that your Team shall go to Saunders!" The Principle said.
McCoach looked at him for a Second, and then smiled happily.
"Thank you Sir! Thank you for this Opportunity! I wont let you down, I promise!" McCoach said.
"I know you wont Lukas. Now, go and pack your things, your Team will leave this Ship when we reach Nagasaki."
"Ok Sir, but one Question: What will happen too my Engine?" He asked.
"We are already loading it onto a Low loader. It will be coupled up to your Tank, so that can take her with you." He said.
McCoach smiled even brighter than before, and walked out of the Office, and towards his now Ex-Home.
10am, McCoach's Apartment
McCoach walked inside his small Apartment, and started to get some Boxes, and his Trunk for his Moving. He looked around his small Apartment, at the Pictures of his Family, standing by an very old looking Steam Locomotive, waving goodbye as he sailed away to the Schoolship, and standing in front of his Tank with his Team. After packing up his things, he walked out of his Apartment, locking the Door behind him, and walked out of the Building, for the last time.
He soon came to his Tank, the M4A3E2, and saw that his Team was already standing there. There were two, dirty blond, and two black haired boys, waiting by the Tank, and discussing something. That stopped as soon as they saw McCoach.
"Hey Lad, you came early." Said the first boy.
"Yeah, and I thought we were the ones who are always late!" Said the second boy and both of them laughed.
"Very funny Christopher, Sebastian. Get inside already, I need to secure my Engine."
"Isn't it secured already? I thought that the Guys who loaded it do that." Said the black haired boy, adjusting his glasses.
"They did Patrick, but I want to make sure that they did it correctly. I don't want that she tumbles into the Ocean." Lukas said, as he walked around the Trailer with his Loco on top, checking the holders around it. After that, he walked back to his Tank, and stopped, looking at the Gunner who still stood there, looking back at the Schoolship.
"Don't be sad Charlie, I'm sure that the Sanders is as good is this one, if not better! Now, get aboard please." McCoach said, and after that, Charlie climbed up onto the Tank, and got aboard. With one last look at his old home, he climbed into the Tank, and sat into his Commander seat. The Door to the harbour opened, and the Tank slowly made its way out of the Ship, and towards the pier, where the Saunders would arrive, half an hour later.
7am, Saunders Girl High School, Principle Office
There was a knock at the door, and coming in, was the 16 Year old blonde Leader of the Tankery Team, Kay. She said good morning to the Principle, a older Women with Brown Hair and gentle smile, and sat down opposite of her.
"Good Morning Kay, how are you today?" The Principle asked.
"I'm fine Ma'am, I was just wondering why you called me. Am I in trouble?" She asked, concerned.
"Not at all Kay, I just wanted to tell you the news." The Principle said.
"News? What News?" Kay asked.
"Well, the International Tankery Commission has started a Project, to see if Tankery Teams with both Genders are better than male, and female only. So they are sending a Team from the Sterington Boys Academy to our School. I want you to Greet them." The Principle explained.
"You can Count on me Ma'am!" Kay said, and walked out of the room before the Principle could tell here where to pick them up.
"Just like me, when I was a young Girl." The Principle said to herself.
10:30am, Nagasaki Pier 4
With an loud Hooting of the Ships Hooter, the Saunders slowly rolled into the Harbour. McCoach and his Team were standing at the front of an long line of Cars, all waiting to get on board. After the Doors opened, they rolled into the Big ship, and rolled into the City. It was very big, and had both Modern and old looking Houses, with the Influence of the American Building style. They soon came to the Gate of the High School, and with an loud blast of the Whistle, which was attached by McCoach, the Gates opened and they slowly rolled in. They soon reached a huge Warehouse, in which 7 Rows of Tanks stood, all of them being Sherman's with one or two Firefly's in between. They stopped outside, where a blonde Girl stood, together with an smaller, grey haired, and an even smaller red haired Girl, waiting for the Tank. When the Tank finally stopped, they walked to its side, and watched as 4 Boys got out of the Tank.
" Hello, and welcome to the Saunders Girls High School! I'm Kay, and these here are Alisa, my second in command, and this is Naomi, best Gunner in our Team. And what are your names?" She asked friendly.
"My name is Patrick, but friends just call me Pat, as my Grandpa worked under General Patton. I'm the Driver." Said Patrick.
"I'm Sebastian, and this is my Twin, Christopher. I'm working on the Radio, so you're going to hear me from now on often." The first blond said.
"And I'm the Loader, quick load is my thing." The second Blond said.
"And who are you?" Asked Alisa rudely as she Eyed the second black Haired Boy.
"His names Charlie. He's the Gunner. Has a steady Eye, and a calm Hand. He is doesn't talks that much, but he listens to every Command, and follows our Leader to Hell and back again." Said Pat.
"Where is your Leader actually?" Asked Kay.
"And why did you bring this Steam Ket-" But she couldn't talk any further as there was a loud blast of the Tanks Whistle, and after that, a fifth Man came out of the Tank, in an Railroad blue Overall, with Markings of a Captain on both sides of his Shoulders, and a blue Railroader Cap on his head, reading: Illinois Central. He walked to the others, and stopped, standing next to his Team.
"Hello, I'm Lukas McCoach, Commander of the "Gordon Thomas" and was Second in Command of the Sterington Boys Academy's Tankery Team. And what you were just calling a "Steam Kettle" is my Steam Locomotive "Silver Streak"." Said McCoach as he stood in front of the Girls.
"Hello Lukas, and welcome to you too. Now, as you might know from when you started learning at the Sterington, you will get your Keys for your Apartments in the School building. If you would follow us please." Kay said, and walked away, the Boys slowly walking behind.
After getting they're Keys and they're Schedules, They walked back to they're Tank, where some Technicians were starting to repaint they're old Logo and switching it to the one of the Saunders. That was, until McCoach shouted to them to stop.
"What's the Matter McCoach?" Naomi asked.
"They are only applying the School Logo onto your Tank, that's all." Kay said.
"They can do that if they want, but they are letting the old Logo on it, or they won't paint Tanks for weeks!" McCoach said.
"Hold your Horses there! Whey do you want to keep your old Schools Logo? You don't need it here." Alisa said.
"That isn't the Sterington School Logo, it "Gordon Thomas"'s Logo!" McCoach explained.
"Say what now?" Asked Kay.
"The Sterington allowed every Tank Commander to Paint they're own Logo onto they're Tank. And as the Tank is the "Gordon Thomas", It has Gordon and Thomas painted onto it!" He said, and showed them the Logo, which showed two blue Steam Locos, one was big, the other was small.
"If you want your Schools Logo on the Tank, paint it next to it! Otherwise, we won't let you near our Tank." McCoach finished, and the other 4 stepped up to him, standing in a line in front of the Tank.
The 3 Girls and the Group of Technicians were stunned that they were so loyal to they're Logo, and allowed them to keep the Logo. Satisfied, the first 3 Boys started to make they're way home, while McCoach and Charlie stayed behind, checking the Tank and the Locomotive. Whey The 3 Girls were making they're way home, they saw how McCoach was still with his Engine, working around it, and getting back into the Cab. Kay stopped for a second, and looked at the Engine, and saw a little golden plate, which was shining thanks to the Sun rays.
"Kay! Are you coming or not?" Asked Alisa.
"You can go, I catch up with you later!" Kay said and walked to the little Engine. When she reached it, she looked at the golden Plate. It was very small, and if you didn't watch closely, you wouldn't even know that it was there. She looked at it, and read what was written onto it.
"To my Grandson Lukas, and never forget that the Trains must run"
"My Grandfather was the Owner of an Railroad..." came a Voice behind her. She turned around and saw McCoach, slowly walking towards her.
"When he got ill, my father took over the Work, but my Grandfather was still working for the Railroad. He started saving older Locomotives, which weren't strong enough to do they're work, or were breaking down too often. This Engine was his Favourite. He bought her as an wreck, as she was partly destroyed after an... after an Tank hit her. She was his last project, but he didn't finished her. He died, 2 Months before it could be completed. Dad wanted to sell her for scrap, but I stopped him, and convinced him that, if I could complete her, he would keep her. I worked on her for these 2 Months, and after that, I was starting to work on other Locos, as Dad noticed my lucky hand with repairing Locos. And after a while, I was shown how to drive them. But my Dad thought I could do more, since my Grandfather had fought in WWII and Dad in the Korean War, he thought I should fight for our land, and so he put me into the Sterington Academy. I would have run away, if it wasn't for the Fact that the Principle was the best Person I could talk to since my Grandfather past away. With his help, I could build up an whole military Railroad, and after a few Matches, I became Commander of the "Gordon Thomas". This Engine holds a deep spot in my Hearth, I thought you should know that." Lukas tolled her, with tears in his eyes, and walking back to the Cab.
He was stopped before he could walk further, as Kay hold his hand. He turned around, just to get pulled in a big hug. He was a bid surprised by this, but didn't do anything. After she let go of him, he looked at her, and then walked back to the Cab.
"Do you know if there is some place to Store her?"
"I know that here was an old Shed, where Locomotives were stored, but I don't know if it is still standing." Kay said.
"Well, show me where it is and we will see for ourself!" McCoach said, and climbed over the Low loader to the Tank.
1pm, Saunders High School abandoned area
The Tank rolled through the overgrown Area, slowly making its way to an place were old and abandoned Houses stood.
"These are the old Clubhouses. After the new ones were build, they weren't used any more." Explained Kay, as they rolled past the Houses. They rolled on for a few Minutes, till they heard a sound of Metal against Metal. McCoach stopped the Tank and climbed out of it. He looked around the Ground, and saw what he wanted to see. Two Steel stripes that were running to an run down House. Kay looked out of the Vision slit, just to see how the young Captain raced towards the old Building. When he reached it, he ripped the Door open, and looked inside. Standing on two Tracks were 2 small Locos. One was an little 0-4-0, the other was a big 4-6-0 tank engine. He walked out of the Building and back to the Tank, smiling slightly.
"And?" Asked Kay.
"Bring the Trailer in position. Were unloading her and shunt her into the Shed." Said the Boy with an determinant tone.
They brought the Trailer into position, and McCoach slowly let the Engine slide down the Trailer, and onto the Rails. He then opened a Tool box, and pulled out a long metal board, with two buffers. He attached it at the Tank and drove up to the little Engine. He pushed her slowly and carefully, and after 5 Minutes, the Engine was stored, save and sound, in the Shed, standing in front of the 0-4-0.
"Thanks for your help Kay. Could you bring me to the Principle? I need to tell her that We need to restore the Sheds here."
"What ever for? We don't need the Railway nowadays. We got enough Trucks to get by." Said Kay.
"Aye, that might be true, but these Engines here are a good way to earn Money, when the School has events. But the biggest advantage is that we can transport Fuel, Munition and Machine Parts all at once! Trust me, before there was a Railroad at Sterington, they needed 3 Trucks to get all those things, and that costed time and Space. After we build the Railroad, there was more space for Tanks, and the Crews were faster with the Repairing and refuelling." Said Lukas with a hint of glee in his Eyes.
Kay didn't knew why, but she felt much happier seeing him smile like that. After locking the Doors to the Shed again, they made they're way back to the the School building.
5:30pm, McCoach Apartment
McCoach walked into his apartment, carrying some of his Boxes, and his Luggage Trunk, and after reaching the first Table he saw, put them down. He looked around, and was amazed by the size of the apartment. It was roughly 3 times the size of his old home, and was stocked with very luxury furniture. He walked around the Apartment, and looked at everything. First the big Kitchen with everything a housewife could dream of, then the Bath with Bathtub and Shower, and finally, the Bedroom, where a big, two Person Bed stood. He walked back to the Living room, and began to stow away his belongings. After a few Hours, he finished his work, and walked towards the Bathroom. After a long shower, he made himself Dinner, and after cleaning up his Dishes, laid himself into his bed. After turning on some Music, he drifted off too sleep, knowing that the next day would be the start of an new live.