I am so truly sorry for the long wait, but I've been sandwiched between writer's block and personal issues, so now I'm determined to get this story finished.


For the past month, Tom had been busy running cargo across the island. Fuel, car parts, actual cars, it seemed that he could write an entire book on the stuff he hauled. That, and what it was really like to live life on the road.

He had also done a little digging. He'd found out that Valerie worked as an engineer for the city of Honolulu designing roads, and for that he had to thank her (mentally, at least). Without her, there probably wouldn't be roads. Without roads, the truckers such as Tom wouldn't be able to drive. Without truckers, the island would probably grind to a halt due to lack of supplies (and Danny would have a hard time driving his Camaro).

Stopping, Tom got out of the truck, and walked around to the trailer. It was a standard car transport trailer, but the cars being transported were far from ordinary. They were a mix of sports executive sedans: a Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, BMW, Ford, Cadillac and Audi. Tom looked past the trailer at the place he was supposed to deliver them to. Yep, Rachel and Stan's house. That explained everything.

Setting to work, Tom devised a plan to deliver these cars. First off, he'd get the Merc E63 AMG, Ford Taurus SHO and Cadillac STS-V off the lower deck first. He'd parked the truck a little farther from the gate, allowing clean access. Danny had given Tom the gate access code, so he didn't need to worry about the gate. He'd drive the cars onto the driveway, then return to the trailer, lower the top deck, and drive the Jaguar XFR, BMW M5 and Audi RS6 off the top deck and park them on the driveway. Stan was away, due to return in a couple of hours, so Tom figured he'd use the extra time to clean the cars, make them spotless, then close the gate and get the hell out of Dodge!


Another successful delivery, and Tom had just proved he was rapidly becoming one of the best truckers in Hawaii. He'd gathered quite a reputation as a reliable and experienced truck driver who would get the job done. However, there was still something on his mind.

With that, Tom met up with Chin and Nick at the 60 Miles, and asked them about a particular person he had met.

"Ah yes, Analu Lakona." Nick spoke. "He's a well respected trucker who's been operating for ten years. He runs cargo up and down the island, using his truck and the inter-island ferry service to deliver from Hawai'i to Oahu, and every island in between."

Chin added, "And he's got quite a reputation as a bounty hunter and private investigator for hire. He's known to crack any case that comes his way, and it's a safe bet that everything's gonna turn out alright if he's on the job."

"Yeah." Tom didn't bother telling them about Justin Brown. "So Nick, I'll keep a lookout for him. Mind showing me what truck he's got?"

"Sure." Nick reached for his iPhone, and handed it to Tom, who analyzed the picture of the silver European truck.

"OK. That's a Mercedes-Benz Actros 1860 V8, cab-over semi truck from Germany, widely used over Europe for long distance and heavy duty distribution haulage. They've got luxurious cabs, and are powered by V6 or V8 engines ranging from 320 to 480 horsepower for the 12 liter V6, and 510 to 550 horsepower for the 16.0 V8." Tom looked up. "Trouble is, if this truck's German, and this guy's in Hawaii, 7,000 miles away, how the hell does he get his hands on one, and how can he use it on our roads?"

"He imported it here and got a special permit from the government."

"This guy is connected. Ah well, I did think about importing a European truck once. And I did drive an American Chevy Camaro in Japan, so I guess that makes us equal."

"I did a little digging on his other vehicles." Chin offered. "He also owns a Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle and a 1978 Dodge Charger muscle car."

"Got it." Tom got up to leave.

"Oh, and you don't seem to trust him for some reason." Nick called to him.

"You're right." Tom simply walked out the door. As he got into the truck, he could've sworn he saw that silver Actros in the parking lot.


Later on, in the office of his garage, Tom was just looking at a few things: running costs, past cases Five-0 had dealt with, and alternating between that and watching the news on TV.

"In business news, today is a good day to be a trucker." Tom figured he might just look at this report. "Profits are going up, and there are now more truckers on the roads of Hawaii than ever. In fact, the companies cannot keep up with demand! We spoke to one person who was interested in joining this growing band of modern day cowboys."

The TV screen now showed a familiar face. There was no denying it, Valerie Camille was that person who wanted to be a truck driver. "I've always been fascinated by big trucks, and I've been looking around trying to find a truck for me. I feel there's big money to be made int his business, and there's the fact that you won't be lonely out there! Once, my taxi broke down and I was rescued by one of those truck drivers. Hopefully, I'll see him out on the roads sometime."

As the interview ended, Tom heard a honking outside, a honking that sounded like a truck horn. He stepped outside to investigate, and was met with the sight of a blue 2009 Freightliner Cascadia truck in the middle of the parking lot. Valerie was stepping out of the truck.

"Bloody hell Valerie!" Tom said. "You never told me you had a commercial driver's licence!"

"Actually, I've had it for several years." Valerie confessed. "I wanted to work as a delivery driver in France, but my father didn't approve of it. Now, here, I can be what I want."

"I saw your interview on the news report. You didn't seem like a truck driver at first."

"I have to admit, you did inspire me."

"So I'm the first one to see the truck you've got."

"Yes. I picked up this 2009 Cascadia at a used truck sale. It's got a Detroit Diesel DD15 engine with 455 horsepower as well as a 72" raised roof sleeper cab, and an Eaton Ultrashift 13 speed transmission." Valerie looked a little unsure about her recital of her new truck's specs.

"Hot damn, you're gonna do just fine on the road." Tom said with a smile.

"Well, I'm a little unsure of this job. I'm not good with being my own boss and I'd rather have someone tell me what to do."

Tom looked at Valerie, then to her Cascadia, then to his own Coronado, and then to the garage. "You know, starting a company has been a bit of a goal of mine since I started truck driving."

"And now you've got a willing employee who you've met before, and who has even supplied her own truck..."

"...Now there's no reason to wait any longer." Tom put his hand on Valerie's shoulder. "Now you've inspired me to do something. Well done."

"Do you think we're going to be alright?"

"I think we're gonna become one of the best transportation companies on the island. Now, let's move out." Tom headed to his Coronado, and fired it up. He steered out onto the road, followed by Valerie and her Cascadia. Although it wasn't official, Fortnell Trucking had begun.


Short chapter, I know, but it's better than nothing, right? Also, I have set up a forum for those interested in truck driving called Life On The Road Roleplay. You can sign up any character from any fandom, or even your own, and start driving across Europe delivering loads and meeting other drivers. You can find it in search, or there's a link on my profile and in the Truck Stop forum.