It was a cloudy day on the island of Sodor, and a few miles from the Sudrian Prison Morgue, Sodor's military was on a training course to transport supplies and materials from Brendam Docks brought in by the Navy. A tramper had just arrived with a load of supplies and munitions. To run a platoon of soldiers, you have to be prepared to take on any job. One of the most difficult and dangerous was handling the group naval munition ships.
On this day, Edward had been sent to keep watch for large tramper ship that was to be towed in from the base off the coast, usually a familiar and safe routine. But it had been a rough journey for the ship, and as if that wasn't enough, Edward had to suffer General Malcolm's military personality. He was the leader of all the Sudrian military and felt as though he needed things to start being done to start the training course.
"Attention! Attention! You! Edward!" snapped Malcolm.
"Attention-nothing. I'm finished here and moving out," replied Edward.
"Oh, no you don't! Not til I've checked things out!" insisted Malcolm.
"By all means, do your check, General, but I'm needed elsewhere," said Edward.
"THIS is a vitally important tramper, Edward! And YOU'RE under jurisdiction. Obey orders, and wait til I've done my inspection!"
"I AM under jurisdiction; Sir Topham Hatt's. Therefore, I must obey him, with all due respect."
"Aha! We'll see about that, lad! Edward, here! Wait! Stay right where you are! That is an order!" But Edward kept huffing away. "Upstart old timer! I'll teach you a lesson or two! And then you'll know what orders are all about!"
Edward went back to the docks' shed to talk with Salty. "Ohh, Salty. General Malcolm's orders are mad. Orders before common sense in military terms."
Salty sighed. "I know, mate. I don't like him either. Keep a sharp eye, Edward. We'll need your help with this tramper, so keep those trucks in line. As if I haven't done this exercise since the start. Report to me when the ship arrives. I've plenty of shunting to do. They'll be loading munitions and fuel off from the same tramper that is due to arrive tonight. Dangerous business."
"I'll keep a watch, Salty," said Edward. And he set off again to rest somewhere where he could watch out to sea.
"We should work together, not fight each other," Salty sighed to himself as he left to further plan the munitions unloading process.
General Malcolm had gone off to find another engine to help make other arrangements. "YOU there!" he shouted. "Who are you?"
"Porter, sir," said the engine.
"Well, Porter, round up some of the fire brigade and send them to the military field now!" ordered Malcolm.
"I am standing by, awaiting orders to proceed to help Cranky and Carly unload the tramper when it arrives," said Porter.
"Those orders be cancelled!" snapped Malcolm. "I'm the General, and I command YOU to find the fire brigade NOW!" And he marched away.
"Aye, sir," grumbled Porter.
Just at the entrance to the docks, the Fat Controller was announcing the instructions for the naval exercise to some of the Steam Team.
"Alright. We have a naval maneuver to all help with. Remember, this is serious business, so no shortcuts. Use your designated lines. You know what the navy is like. Your loads are munitions and fuel to gather from the tramper. So take care how you puff."
"Uhh…this means we'll have General Malcolm pushing us around! I can't stand him! We are engines, not soldiers!" said James.
"He is gravely mistaken to be bothering with us!" agreed Henry. "But you do make a mistake…perhaps you'll be stuck with him!"
"No talk like that about the navy, James, or you WILL have to face General Malcolm!" eyed the Fat Controller. All the engines laughed.
"It's not funny!" huffed James. "I would be most disgraced to have him look down on me!"
"Alright now!" said the Fat Controller. "We must all take our positions. James! You help Edward and Salty arrange the trucks for when the tramper arrives, and do NOT wander or get conceited."
"Yes sir," said James.
Thomas sighed. "Sir, we're just as bad off with James' complaining. He's more trouble than he's worth."
"Really, Thomas? After you went to the Mainland?" Percy smirked.
"Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "You must go to Vicarstown Goods Yard and collect a train of oil and take it to the Sudrian military field."
"Right, sir," said Thomas.
"James can be is a pain in the funnel," said Percy.
"Percy, go to Arlesburgh and see if you can find any other engines to assist." Percy went on his way too.
At the Dieselworks, Diesel was arranging for a fuel transport to Brendam to support the military exercise…or so he was instructed. A dangerous operation but worth a great deal to the military, who put Diesel in charge of transporting the fuel. He had two diesels ready to transfer the fuel...but with different intentions.
"Now listen, you two. Towing this lot's the tricky bit," Diesel said to Sidney and Paxton. "Sidney? You take the first load."
"R-Right," Sidney said, a little concerned.
"Escort these fuel loads carefully. Go slow and don't take any nonsense from any steamies. If they come too close, find a way to scare them off with a threat, but DO NOT damage them. I have special orders from Sailor John himself. And watch out for that stubborn fool, General Hector. Your job is to deliver this fuel directly to the tramper at Brendam. If Sergeant Malcolm gives you different orders, ignore 'em and refer him to me. Just keep it steady. Paxton, you go next."
"That General told me he was in charge and that I must obey orders," said Paxton.
"You are. Mine, remember that," ordered Diesel.
"I'll remember that, Diesel." And Paxton set off with the other load of fuel.
"Be mindful, Paxton. This trip's worth twenty diesels…If we don't get blown up. One wrong mishap with those munitions and this fuel, and they'll be scraping engine parts all over the Docks. Right, easy does it..."
Later that day, Thomas had collected the oil and was on his way to the military field. He was waiting at a signal coast…when General Malcolm showed up again.
"Ahoy there!" called the General. "You with the oil train…Thomas! Move and move fast! That's an order"
Now Thomas knew the military must be respected for their position of authority, but if he was being picked on, he had plenty of spunk. He was not afraid of the general's stubborn personality if it showed to everyone. "Calm down, General I am taking this oil to your field as told by the Fat Controller!" he retorted.
"I'm in charge. I gave orders and move! I order you to move, you MOVE, and that oil is conscripted for a military purpose. If I wish to move you, I WILL! I'll mark you down with a demerit if you're late!"
"I'm always on time!" argued Thomas.
"Live up to your name, and MOVE IT!" demanded General Hector. The signal went green and Thomas moved on with the oil tanks, fuming. But from a fair distance on the railway, Diesel 10 had heard some of what was said, and set off to find Sailor John…
Later that evening, Ryan was working just outside Arlesburgh as the sun was setting…when he suddenly heard an alarming voice. One he had not heard for almost three years.
"Yes, Diesel 10…what news do you have for me?" Sailor John! Ryan very carefully snuck closer to the voices…until he saw Diesel 10 and the pirate talking together. Ryan had known about Sailor John's escape and had been wondering about it in the past…but now, his fears were proven right.
"I have learned…that the military are on a training course to transfer supplies, fuel and munitions from the Docks."
"Munitions?" said Sailor John.
"Yes," said Diesel 10. "They would work as a prime tool for your little plan at Vicarstown Station. A few diesels can help with collecting some."
"Ahh, yes. Very clever, Diesel 10," said Sailor John. "Our chance is just waiting right there for us to take it!"
"And I also know the perfect bait to lure that blue puffball to you and take your revenge once and for all," added Diesel 10.
"Don't tell me, mate," said Sailor John. "I know of whom you speak…Emily."
Ryan's eyes popped with alarm at that name.
"Thomas cannot resist her in any way," said Diesel 10. "If we capture her, it will provoke him into action in no time. She'll be the perfect bait for your little fish!"
"And then I'll catch HIM," Sailor John exclaimed delightfully.
Before either diesel or man could discuss any further, they suddenly heard a hiss of steam and a sudden crank. Ryan had tried to leave to warn other engines, but his brakes were still locked on.
"RYAN!" Sailor John roared. "I was wondering where you'd be!"
"Sailor John," Ryan glared. "I heard everything just now. You'll be exposed soon enough!" Then he took off, properly this time. Sailor John was sought after getting Thomas, but he remembered too well that Ryan helped Thomas overturn the ship and ultimately get him caught by the police. Now that he had heard vital details of the final plan, Sailor John would not let him escape.
"Run him down. After him, my loyal diesel," Sailor John ordered. He climbed on board Diesel 10, then called out to the purple engine. "Sir Topham's rules won't save you now, Ryan! This diesel only obeys me!"
In that instant, Diesel 10 gave chase, crashing his claw wildly. Ryan sped away as fast as his wheels would move, but Diesel 10 glided right along after him. Ryan rushed through Arlesburgh, barely missing a few trains and signals, and Diesel 10 kept crashing his claw. Ryan was a fast engine, but he was utterly hopeless against Diesel 10 and Sailor John, two of Sodor's greatest enemies.
Eventually, the chase led back to Harwick…up towards where Thomas recklessly pushed the flatbeds of rails and sleepers past the danger signs. Then Diesel 10 managed to corner Ryan. Just ahead was the hole leading down to Calles Cavern where Thomas fell in and discovered the ship.
"There's nowhere to hide, Ryan!" roared Diesel 10. "You will not get away this time!" Suddenly, Ryan was bumped forward, breaking through the safety barrier, and plummeting down into the cave. He landed with a splintering crash and went skidding further inside, eventually crashing into a boulder and knocking him out.
Diesel 10 and Sailor John just stopped at the ledge and looked into the cave. They saw Ryan completely shattered and incapacitated at the bottom of the cave. Now how were other engines going to be warned about what would happen next?
"What shall we do now, Sailor John?" asked Diesel 10. "At least he can't warn anyone now."
Sailor John turned to the big diesel. "No more loose ends, mate," he said. "That was too close, having him find out our plans...We have to put our plan into operation now. Get me two more henchmen and set them up at the docks for those munitions. Be sure they're armed and out of sight when that tramper arrives. And round up some diesels to get those supplies to Vicarstown."
"With pleasure," said Diesel 10.
It's finally here. After so much planning and preparation. Yes, this chapter, and the next one, are very obvious adaptations of the TUGS episode "Munitions". I thought it would be appropriate given that Sailor John is an ex-navy member. So, hopefully, there will a chapter at least daily or close to daily, we'll see how it all goes. Anyway, this will be seven chapters in total, and this was just the first stage of the final battle. So until then, be prepared for explosions! Leave your reviews and we'll see you with the next chapter.