Yeah... remember when I said 'let's up I won't forget to upload the next chapter'? Guess what? I didn't. I just never got around to upload it. It isn't that long either, rather a filler, although the ending does forshadow that some certain events will happen in the next chapter. And, as to make up for having such a short chapter, this will be a double update! That's right, two chapter at the same day!
Anyways, don't let me interrupt in you reading this chapter any longer! Enjoy!
With the three ships in the dry docks for repairs and the water routes unsafe for further transportation of supplies, these duties were transferred to land ways. Trains and lorries transported the supplies up to the docks, where they were transferred onto the barges of the tugboats and brought to the warehouses and ships waiting for them. Adding to the already plentiful duties of the tugs in the harbor with supply duties and servicing the water stationed industries, the tug fleets had to help with the repairs of the cargo ships. The duties had to be carried out around the clock, and so the tugs would work without any real rest, pushing themselves to near breaking point before being convinced to take a rest. The lifeblood of all these operations was fuel, in form of heavy bunker C oil and coal. The tugs had to resupply on their fuel in form of food to maintain their health and keep their strength and restock on fuel in form of coal to continue to operate their suits. One morning, the Steam Tugs were eating breakfast after one of the rare nights where almost all of them were back for a regular 8 hours of sleep. However, their eyes were pulled to the door, when Bull walked into the room, covered from head to toe in coal dust, thanks to an earlier incident while working at the coaling depot.
"You know what amazes me? Every day I see something new around here. Today it's a walking sack of coal no less!" Chortled Churchill.
"Well, ya'd be dirty too after working half the night with coal!" Coughed Bull.
Churchill just sniffed.
"Well, at least you don't smell."
"Hehe, of course he doesn't smell! Coal doesn't have a smell!" Chuckled Boomer.
"I know Boomer, but he could've at least taken the time to get a hose down or something like that. Even YOU Boomer, after working all day with garbage, have the decency to look presentable. After all, we Steam Tugs have a reputation to keep." Said the ocean going tug, as Captain Walters walked in.
"At least one tug already has been working today Churchill! Now, you have to grab Comets railway barges and head to the loading station, you have to take the garbage barge with you as well!"
"Me? On car ferry duties? And garbage detail? Why can't Comet do this? After all, he is a railway tug!"
"The admiral has called the third torpedo squadron in for a mission and asked for Comet to accompany them."
"And being the hopelessly in love tug he is, he didn't even hesitate, didn't he?" Asked Mac cheekily.
"That wouldn't be the way I'd put it, but in a way, yes." Sighted captain Walters. Everyone in the fleet knew that Comet was in love with Fubuki, and that the Fleetgirl herself didn't notice anything was a surprise for every Steam Tug.
"Now then! Prometheus! The inspecting naval tug will come here with a decoy ship, to make the Abyssal think we'd still keep the water routes open. You have to get them in!"
"Alright sir." Said the gentle giant, but there was a hint of reluctance in his voice.
"Mac! Head to the old warehouses, you and Rock have to pick up a few barges worth of spare parts for the repairs on the 'Haddock'!"
"Aye aye sir!" Called the twins.
"Edwin! Pick up the new propeller from the factories and bring it to the dry docks of the 'Kraka-Toa'! Rock! Once you are done with your work, go and help Edwin!"
"Yes sir. Better hurry Rock, I will need all the help I can get with that propeller!" Chuckled Edwin.
"Now then, John Bull, Boomer! Your job is the most important one! The steelworks have set up a contest to see who can get the contract for the steel transport for the next few years! Show them that Steam Tugs can move tough loads better than Red Stacks!"
"Aye aye sir!" Smirked the two tugs, ready to show the Red Stacks up another time.
"Alright, that'll be all! Now off to work with you lot! And be careful out there, today is a very high tide!" Called the captain as the others moved out.
"Alright Boomer, you head out first, I'll take a quick shower and follow afterwards." Said Bull as the others left for the launching station.
"You can save the shower! I'll hose you down while we head to the steelworks! Saves time." Chuckled Boomer, as they headed towards the launching station as well.
Indeed it was a high tide, one of the highest of the season. Mac and Rock got their fair share of trouble from it when they reached the warehouses. The pier and the ground floor were flooded, and most of the crates with the spare parts were floating around the water.
"Oh dear, look at this lot! It'll take us all day to gather everything up and into their barges!" Groaned Mac.
"Well, better get started soon then aye?" Suggested Rock as the two switchers began rescuing whatever they could from their loads.
The steelworks had been restricted in its working capacity in its current location and couldn't extend further on its grounds. Therefore, the steelworks opened a new foundry on the other side of the bay. They had chosen this time of year to decide which tug fleet would take over the steel transportation contracts for the following years, as to safe money with requesting both fleets to transport part of the materials towards the new location. The Red Stacks were already at the steelworks, getting machinery and a very tall steel construction finished for transfer.
"Well well well, look what the waves washed in. The Steamers. Sorry to tell you, but there's no work for you here. We've got it all sealed up." Oiled Roger.
"We've got as much right to compete for the contract as you do." Growled Bull.
"Well, good luck to you then, three against one not much chance for you clapped out steamers so bugger off!" Snapped the Red Stack.
"How do you get three against one? There's only two of you?" Asked Boomer confused.
"Well, you ain't much of a danger to us, so we've counted you onto our side Boomer." Replied Rupert smugly as Boomer frowned.
"Ey up Rupert! Get moving! You're all loaded up!" Called Michael Kruger, the crane operator of the harbors biggest crane.
"Well, we'd like to stay and chat, but we've got work to do." Oiled Rupert, as he blasted his air horn, and started off.
"So long, losers." Laughed Roger, as he started off as well, his engine slightly spluttering as he caught up with his colleague.
"We've ought to be quick to show them who's better. That engine of Roger didn't sound so good, he might have problems along the way if that keeps up. Hey! Big Mickey! How about a very quick load up?" Called Bull.
"No worry Bull! I've heard everything from up here! Good luck to you Steam Tugs!" Called Michael, or as he was known as 'Big Mickey', due to his tall size and stature. The two steam tugs quickly got their loads, and started to make their way across the bay. In the further distance, they could see two red dressed tugs, one of which had black smoke coming from his engine compartment.
"I told you to get that engine of yours fixed. Now those steamers will be in the lead." Grumbled Rupert, as he was trying to fix the engine.
"Ugh, no worries, I've got a plan. If we cut through the canal, we'll get there first! They won't be able to get past us neither, the canal's not wide enough!" Smirked Roger.
"Oh Roger, I don't know where you get these ideas of yours." Beamed Rupert, as he closed the engine compartment and both tugs started to move again.
The two steam tugs steadily steamed onwards, when they saw how the two diesel tugs left their path.
"Huh? What are they up to? ...They're heading towards the canal!" Pointed Bull out.
"Well then, let's follow them." Stated Boomer, but was held back by his friend.
"Oh no we don't. They won't get through."
"Why not?"
"Bridges Boomer, bridges."
"So what?"
"It's a high tide today."
"So what?"
"High tide, high load."
"Oh yeah! Bridges!"
"Uhu, once they see that they won't fit under the bridges they have to come back, and by then we'll be already at the site. Come on now!" Smiled Bull, as the two tugs continued on the usual path.
Several bridges span across the canals, the lowest one over the one that Roger and Rupert were using was used by the railways up until a few years ago. It had been closed for some time, but due to the increased number of trains, the lines were reopened for service. The diesel tugs hadn't counted their high load into their plan, coupled with the high tide, the highest of the season, it was a recipe for disaster. Churchill was using the canal in the opposite direction, together with the railway barges and the garbage barge. Due to Churchill not being a qualified railway tug, he had an operator for each railway barge, two brothers by the name of Franklin and Edward Chapin. The garbage barge had an additional motor and operator, to make smaller movements without the need of a tugboat. The operator was a kind but sometimes slow old man by the name of Steve Lanton but was commonly known by everyone as 'Lord Stinker' for his smelly work. There would be no way that the rivaling tugboats could pass each other. One of them would have to turn around. They first saw each other at the bend leading to the railway bridge.
"Go into reverse if you please! This is my water!" Called Churchill, his call slightly drowned out by the train crossing the bridge above them.
"I repeat, this is my water!"
"Our load is heavier!" Retorted Roger.
"My load is wider!" Answered Churchill cheekily.
"You have exactly 5 seconds to back up before we charge!" Stated Rupert.
"Haha! So do you!"
"Alright! Five!" Said Roger.
"They mean it Churchill old bean." Chuckled Edward.
"I am coming through! Four!"
"So am I! Three!" Called Rupert.
"We'll see! Two!" Smirked Churchill.
"One!" Growled Roger, as both Rupert and Churchill revved up their engines.
"Get to the bridge first and you've got him!" Smirked Roger.
"Alright, nobody can stop this load once it's underway! That steamer is scrap!" Replied Rupert as he charged forwards.
Both tugs put in full power as they headed towards each other and the bridge.
"Hey Churchill! Look at his load!" Called Steve, as the ocean going tug looked up to the steel construct, seeing that it was clearly too high to fit under the bridge.
"Oh no, he's going to hit! Hold on tight everyone, I'm going into reverse!" Called Churchill, as he quickly backed up, shaking his three 'passengers' up quite a bit.
"He's backing up! Didn't I tell you Roger?" Laughed Rupert.
"Didn't even made a fight of it!" Laughed the other tug back, but stopped when he saw the load.
"Oh no... I see why now! The bridge! Reverse engines! Quick!" Called Roger.
"I can't! It's pushing me!" Called Rupert, as he rammed the bridge, damaging his load and the bridgework, before coming to a stop with the steel construct halfway wedged underneath the bridge.
"That was typical Red Stack thinking Rupert." Sniffed Churchill with an disapproving look.
"Oh dear. Roger and I better get some help." Frowned Rupert as the two Red Stacks started to move again. They were just out of sight when an urgent whistle sounded from down the railway line.
"That's a mail train isn't it? Oh no, the bridge! It's-! It's-! Wait a minute. I've got it! Maybe if I can get that steel ridge under the bridge, maybe it will hold while a train gets across! It's worth a try!" Said Churchill.
"Don't waste time cutting the barge free, take me with you!" Called 'Lord Stinker' from his barge.
"You're willing to take that risk Stinker?"
"Of course I do, it's only rubbish!" Chuckled the old man as they headed towards the damaged bridge.
'Lord Stinker' quickly connected the garbage barge with the steel barge, and Churchill started to pull with all his might. It was hard work all the same, and time was quickly running out. The train had been signaled through, so there was no chance for anybody to stop or warn it. With a final pull, the steel ridge was in place, just as the train came into view, brakes screaming as the driver saw the damaged bridge, hoping to avoid disaster. The train slowed down drastically as it slowly crossed the bridge, and safely managing to continue onto the other side.
"Thankfully! It held." Sighted Churchill.
"Well done Churchill, you saved the da-" Started Stinker, as a groaning could be heard from the steel barge.
"Oh no! Look out!" Called Chruchill, as the steel barge started to lean over, sinking, and blocking the canal, the bridge now completely without any support, beginning to collapse, just as another whistle rang out. A familiar whistle.
"Oh no! I know that whistle!" Exclaimed the ocean going tug.
"It's the goods train!" Called Edward.
The bridge creaked and groaned, breaking apart, the railway tracks, being the last real connection of the bridge snapping apart, with the larger part of the bridge leaning down towards the canal like a ramp.
"It's impossible! We can't safe this one!" Cried Churchill.
"No it's not! Push my barge under the end of that rail! Quick!" Called Stinker.
"Huh? Oh yes, I see! I get the idea! Alright!" Exclaimed the steam tug, and quickly started to push the garbage barge into position.
"If this doesn't work, you'll be in danger as well Steve!" Called Churchill.
"Don't remind me, just get this thing under the end of that rail!" Shouted the man back, as the barge finally moved into place.
Just a few seconds later, the sound of pistons pumping could be heard, as well as the screeching of brakes and the echoing sound of an steam locomotives whistle, as the goods train screeched into sight. The train jumped from the secured tracks onto the broken bridge, the locomotive sliding down and cruising into the garbage, while some of the trucks piled up behind it or landing in the canal.
"It worked! Stinker you're a smelly old genius, nothing less!" Cheered Churchill.
"Hmhm, took some brain to save that train." Mused Franklin.
"I'll never complain about your barge or its smell again Stinker." Said Churchill with a sigh of relief, as the crew of the goods trains locomotive climbed out of the cab.
"Hehe, rubbish can be valuable stuff..." Chuckled Stinker.
"Hey, care to explain where the bridge went?" Asked the driver.
"Hehe, you can ask the Red Stacks, as soon as they get back again." Chuckled Churchill.
A few hours later, goods warehouse
"Welp, looks like we're all clear now." Smiled Mac as the two switchers finally grabbed their barges.
"Yep. I bet everyone else had a very easy day waiting for the tide to go down." Chuckled Rock.
"Well, speak for yourself then." Came a grumbling, tired voice as Comet limped slowly up next to them. He was dirty, battered, dented and bleeding from several places. His suit was torn and his hair ruffled up, and his eyes screamed from exhaustion.
"Comet?! What happened to you?!" Asked the twin simultaneously.
"I'll tell you all later, once were home." Sighted the tug/destroyer.
"Anyways, who took over my duties while I was gone?" Asked the railway tug further.
"Oh, Churchill did. He also delivered Lord Stinker and his barge. Bet he skippered off somewhere quiet for the rest of the day afterwards." Chuckled Mac.
"Hehe, yeah, somehow, he always manages to take everything nice and easy." Chuckled Rock.
"Well, might as well enjoy it as long as you can. When I got back into port, I travelled along with Prometheus, and Typhoon was with him as well." Grumbled Comet as the two younger tugs gulped.
"I think there is trouble on the horizon." Muttered Mac, and the other two agreed.
By late afternoon, work already started on repairing the bridge. There wasn't any extensive damage to the goods locomotive, and the wagons that were still in one piece were easily recovered. The steelworks weren't pleased with the damage the Red Stacks had done to their steel construction, however, they got at least something out of it, namely, the repair contract for the railway bridge. And without any doubt, the steelworks needed little convincing that the Steam Tugs should get the contract for the steel delivery.
"A destroyed bridge, a blockage of an important spare railway line into the harbor yards, a damaged JNR Class 9600 goods locomotive, seven trucks and their loads completely destroyed, another three trucks damaged and it's loads destroyed as well, the Sendai sisters will be down for at least three days, and we nearly lost both Fubuki and that tugboat today. You know that this isn't really a successful report on the preparations for operation 'Black Flag', right?" Asked a high ranking admiral, higher than the admiral of the naval district.
"We had some minor setbacks, nothing that should interrupt with carrying out operation 'Black Flag' though. We will keep to the timetable and be ready by the given date. The 'Kraka-Toa' shall be finished within the next days and will be loaded with fuel and ammunition as planned." Stated the admiral.
"I hope that there won't be any further 'interruptions' in the near future. Any delay could risk our exposure and the success of our mission. You should know what this means, especially for your career." Said the higher ranking admiral, and turned to the door without as much as a goodbye.
The admiral sighted, looking out of the window again. The evening sky was glowing red as the sun was going down at the horizon.
"'Red sky at night, shippers delight'... Let's hope it really will be a delight..." Sighted the admiral before standing up and heading for his sleeping quarters as well.