Hi guys, sorry about not updating this in a while. I've been a bit busy and have been feeling depressed recently. Well, its been just over a week since I updated. Its about time I wrote a new chapter.
Elsewhere, Ten Cents and Sunshine had delivered their barges to a customer and were heading towards the coal depot to restock themselves.
Sunshine was still fretting over the new fleet of tugs. "You sure they won't replace us?"
"Look, Sunshine," replied Ten Cents, getting quite annoyed. "We've been working up in Bigg City Port for a long time now. Everyone knows what good jobs we do. No matter how modern those new tugs may be, Captain Star will make sure they don't replace us."
"Er, okay. If you say so."
"I know so."
The two switchers arrived at the coal depot, where they found Zip and Zug about to leave with a barge loaded with coal that was tied behind Zip.
"Ahoy, you two," Ten Cents called to them. "Captain Zero giving you two dirty work to him?" He laughed at his own joke, and so did Sunshine.
"Very funny, Ten Cents," muttered Zug dreadfully.
"This is our fourth delivery," added Zip. "And we have more to do. Its taking so long."
"Well, I think I know why," remarked Sunshine. "Because you are using just one barge. Seeing as there are two of you working, why don't you use two barges?"
"Oh, yeah," remarked Zip. Then he turned to Zug. "Zug, you knew we could do that! Why didn't you suggest it?"
"Well, er, I..."
"Because Zug is just making you do all the work," grinned Ten Cents.
Before Zug could retort, the four switchers jerked as they heard a blast of a horn. Then Gangster zoomed into the coal yard as eyed the Star and Zero switchers. "Well, what have we got here then? Four little oldies."
"Excuse me," cried Zug, shocked. "But who are you calling 'Oldies'?"
"What are you?" asked Zip, who, like the other tugs that had met the other Fuel Drivers, was puzzled at the fact Gangster had no stack.
Ten Cents and Sunshine weren't surprised to see this more modern tug, having seen Mugger earlier. "Its okay, you don't need to explain to uswhat you are," exclaimed Ten Cents. "We met your mate Mugger earlier."
"Bah! I'm made of stronger stuff than him - and the rest of the fleet I have to work with," grumbled Gangster. "Its no wonder our leader, Captain Fuel, placed me in charge of them when doing work, which we'll be doing plenty of around here!" He then glared at the four switchers. "And we'll be replacing all you oldies too! We don't need stuff like that dirty black stuff your hauling!"
Then Gangster turned and charged towards Zip. Zip cried out in fear and shut his eyes. But Gangster raced past him and instead hit the coal barge tied behind Zip, with such force, he caused a hole in the barge, which made water rush over it and sink it.
Gangster then raced out of the coal depot, ignoring the shouts from the switchers, telling him to come back and pick up the barge.
Zug sighed. "What a bully."
"Yeah, I don't think we're gonna enjoy working with him in the future," muttered Ten Cents grumpily.
"We'd better get another barge Zip," said Zug.
"Make that twobarges!" Zip remarked stubbornly. "You're not getting out of work again, Zug!"
"You'll be lucky to still have work," whispered Sunshine quietly and worriedly. "The way that thug tug was talking."
Zip and Zug went off to find some spare barges, while Ten Cents and Sunshine stayed behind to restock on coal. Sunshine was still worried about the Fuel Drivers replacing the Star Fleet.
And for the first time, after seeing how aggressive Gangster was, so was Ten Cents.
Sorry that this chapter was so short. There was going to be more to it, but what I was going to add didn't seem to fit in with what was in here as one chapter. That'll wait until the next chapter.
Besides, I think this chapter will tell ou more about Gangsters character, which you'll witness alot of in later chapters.
