Chapter 11 – Ass Backwards

'You've never seen true horror until you've seen someone with a face on their ass!'

It had all happened so fast, Erika thought she would have held out longer. At one point, she thought Madison's words were true. She thought she was in the clear. She thought she was safe. However, those thoughts were shattered that cold January morning in 1955 when the controller approached the shed.

"Erika," he said calmly. "You are to head up to Sacramento to have work done, Edith will be taking over for you while you're away."

Erika looked over at her sister worriedly. Ever since her skirting had been removed, the old GS-2 hadn't been in perfect health. She turned her attention back to the controller. "What kind of work, sir? I'm not ill and my paint is in mint condition, why am I going to have work done?"

Her boss hesitated for a moment before continuing. "We're moving you to the San Joaquin County line. You'll be painted black and your skirting removed."

Erika wanted to protest, she wanted to ask why but she knew the answer already. She was old, outdated technology. She may have been able to run just as well as these diesels but the humans didn't care. Sam told her they were cheaper and easier to maintain.

"Yes sir…" she said sadly.

Her crew did their best to cheer her up as they made the long journey to the state capital but she ignored them. In all honesty, she wasn't too surprised. With the coming of the new EMD diesels, her numbered days were dropping at an alarming rate. However, it still hurt and for once she wished Aaron was with her. That way she could just vent her frustration and cry on his pilot. Surely he wouldn't mind. She hadn't seen the Big Boy in months. She hadn't seen Glen at all. Alice had told her he was keeping his distance from the Golden State and could she blame him? Her mind instantly went to her sister and she quickly pushed the thought away, no time for a breakdown.

Speaking of which, she hadn't seen Alice either. She was sold to another railway back east last year… and she had missed her opportunity to say good-bye. Alice had been like a mother to her and she couldn't be there to see her off and it was all because of…

"Erika, calm down girl!" her driver called to her. "You whistle any harder and you'll break it!"

Erika hadn't even realized she had been whistling and quickly stopped. "Sorry, Sam!" she called back. Yes, she needed to calm down. There were far more important things to worry about and he wasn't one of them. Not worth breaking her whistle over anyway. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone she knew and loved was leaving her and it all started with her sister. Who would be next?

The diesels cackled and chortled once Erika returned from Sacramento in her new black and silver livery. She kept her blue eyes down as she made her way towards the sheds, doing her best to ignore their rude jokes at taunts.

"Looks like the "World's Most Beautiful Engine" ain't so beautiful anymore!"

"Black, the color of a freight engine, that's all steamers are good for anyhow!"

"The perfect color for when they scrap her."

Sam patted her cab gently, "Ignore them, girl. You're just as useful as any of these oily bastards."

For once, Erika didn't believe him. If she was still useful, she'd still be pulling the Costal Daylight and be in her original colors. Erika sighed sadly; it was only a matter of time before she was sent to the smelter.

"Well, well, well if it isn't Erika, World's Most Beautiful Engine."

Erika cringed. She knew that voice. Why her of all engines? She looks to her left to see Alexis, a streamlined EMD E9, the newest string of diesels. Her red lips formed a grin, her orange eyes suddenly widened. "Why Erika, where are your Daylight colors!?" Erika rolled her eyes; she was in no mood for the diesel's sarcasm and faux sympathy. The diesel continued as she rolled alongside the former Daylight. "It's such a shame, isn't it? But I guess it's for the best. A steamer pulling the Daylight… or any passenger train is a real eyesore these days. At least they're giving you something to do. Being a freight engine isn't all bad. It's what you were built for after all. Why would any right minded human get on a train pulled by an old hunk of metal like yourself? Us diesels are the future, we're smooth, energy efficient, and drop dead gorgeous! I'm sure there's a spot for you in the museum with the rest of your kind… or the scrap yard."

"You know what Alexis, you're a real bitch." Erika spat angrily. "And furthermore…"

She was cut off by a loud, low, airy whistle. A sound which commanded attention and respect from an engine, diesels especially, a sound Erika knew all too well. They heard the sound again and the chatter between the diesels stopped; their eyes widened as the world's largest steam engine class rolled in. His paint was a bit weathered but none of them would dare give him any trouble about it. His paint didn't need to be perfect anyhow. The 4014 Big Boy rolled to a stop next to Alexis, his dark blue eyes burning a hole through all that fancy Daylight shrouding. Erika smiled a little, she had never been so happy to see him.

"Alexis," he said simply, his deep voice quiet and a tiny bit threatening.

The E9 in question kept her eyes forward, gritting her teeth. "Aaron?"

"Do me a favor babe and screw off. I'm sure you and your oily sisters have something better to do."

The two pairs of blue eyes watched as Alexis took her leave, grumbling to herself along the way. The Big Boy's expression suddenly softened once she was gone. He smiled softly at Erika who returned the gesture. "Hey you." He said softly.

"You have no idea how glad I am to see you." For once, she was really glad to see him, in more ways than one.

Aaron grinned, "Well! Why don't you and I head on over to the sheds and you can show me?"

The rest of the afternoon and into most of the evening, Erika told Aaron about everything that had been going on since she last saw him. She told him about Edith's illness, the diesel invasion, her removal from Daylight service, everything. However, when she got to Alice's departure, she became angrier and angrier.

"If he hadn't been so slow… I would have made it! I would have been able to see her. I hadn't seen her in months and now I never will. Edith told me she was asking for me… She was like a mother to me and now she's gone…"

The Big Boy looked at his love sadly, if he could he would have given her a lovingly nuzzle but they weren't on the same track. The joys of movement restriction… Instead, he smiled a little sadly at her. "If it makes you feel any better, I missed her too. I was stuck in Wyoming and I wouldn't have made it if I tried…" He sighed.

The two stayed silent for a moment before he spoke up again. "However, I'm happy you're here and that's what matters most to me, my beautiful, black Daylight."

Erika blushed a little and looked down, keeping her gaze away from his. Since she had left Sacramento she felt anything but. Her streamlining was gone, her Daylight colors scraped away… there was nothing beautiful about her, not anymore. She was just a generic Northern-type like all these others, nothing special.

"I'm not beautiful…" she said sadly. "Not anymore."

Dark blue eyes widened, he never thought he'd hear anything remotely close to what he just heard. Not from Erika of all engines. "What makes you say that?"

"Look at me!" her eyes finally met his.

"I am, and do you know what I see? I see that same beautiful girl who won me over all those years ago and that's not going to change. So your streamlining and colors are gone, so what? You're still beautiful. In fact, I think you look better like this. The black makes your eyes stand out more."

His words brought a smile to her face, "Thank you Aaron… I really needed to hear that."

"Anything for you, my love."

Erika was still unable to return his feelings but she was starting to like him a bit more, especially after saving her from the diesels. Maybe she'd learn to love him someday… maybe.

The two continued to talk until the sun started to set. When the subject about the whereabouts of his brother came up, Aaron went silent. It still felt weird not working with his brother all the time and always being together.

"I know I have other brothers but there's something about Glen that I don't get from the others. We were together since I woke up at the workshop. It's like I'm missing my other half…"

Erika chuckled lightly, "Maybe it's because you're twins?

"Possibly… I really wish I could find a way to bring the old Glen back… or at least cheer him up."

"Just be there for him, it's all you can do really."

The Big Boy sighed heavily, "I'm trying."

Before Erika could say more, her crew and the station master approached her. While Sam and Andrew fired her up the warmly dressed man instructed her that she was due at the Oakland Pier to double-head the Owl before it left at 6pm. Apparently the engine whose job it belonged to was a bit under the weather and required a back engine. Erika frowned slightly. Wasn't the Owl that slow overnight train with all the ugly green coaches? She remembered Edith telling her about the train when she double-headed it with something called a "cab forward." A steam engine built backwards. Her sister was clearly disturbed as she told Erika about her encounters with such creatures while in the Truckee area. A cold chill ran along Erika's boiler, she did not want to pull the ugly Owl Limited and she definitely didn't want to see an engine with its face on its ass. She wanted her Daylight coaches and livery back; she didn't want to be a generic Northern.

Instinctively, she tried to get out of it, coming up with whatever bogus excuse she could pull out of her funnel. However, the station master wouldn't have any of it. He knew better.

"Orders are orders Erika." He said simply. "Have a safe trip."

Erika groaned, "Yes sir…"

The Oakland Pier was busy even at night. Shunters and workmen worked quickly to unload ships and freight trains before taking them to their respective places. The waves lapped along the shoreline gently, glistening orange and red as the sun started to set. The cool bay breeze felt rather nice on Erika's face. She let out a long sigh as she gazed at the water, instantly reminded of her days as a Daylight, going up and down the California coastline. The fact that those days were gone depressed her further. A soft pat of her cab caught her attention; it came from the fireman's side.

As if reading her mind, Andrew said calmly, "I understand, girl. I miss those days too."

"It's just not fair, Drew. It isn't." his engine said sadly.

"Humans are stupid; you should know this by now." He chuckled, glancing at Sam who only glared in response. "Man will soon realize his folly and you'll be back in your rightful position in due time."

Erika perked up a bit at his words. "You think so?" She had heard many engines say things like that but never from a human.

"I wouldn't doubt it. Personally, I'm hoping this is just a cheap cop out to save money. They're not any stronger or faster than you. Hell, you need more of them to pull what a single steamer could. The only reason they're preferred over steam is because of money. It's cheaper to have multiple diesels with one driver strung along than a few steam engines. That's what I've heard from the higher ups anyway. Erika, point is this diesel craze will blow over and you'll be back in Daylight colors in no time. But for now, let's just tough it out best we can, alright?"

She smiled a little bit, "Alright Drew."

She continued forward until she saw a diesel shunter gathering coaches. Erika squinted in the fading light. They were a dark green. Like Pullman coaches; she gagged. They were uglier than she thought and so plain and very ugly. They were not fit to be pulled by an engine like her. As she rolled forward, she saw it. The engine was large like a Big Boy, articulated and had two sets of drivers like one too. Its black livery glittering in the fading sunlight, she noticed the smokebox was indeed facing the wrong direction. The fact that it lacked a face made it creepier than it probably should have been. It sent a shiver down her boiler, it was scarier than Edith described. She came to a stop next to the engine; silver eyes looked up at her followed by a warm smile.

"Evening, why you must be Miss Erika." She said softly there was a slight southern twang to her voice. "My name's Mitzi."

"Um… yeah… You can just call me Erika… Where are you from?"

"Why, I was built at the Baldwin Locomotive Works located in Philly. I sometimes work in the Sierra but I'm often called down here to pull the Owl Limited."

Erika stared at the strange engine. Philadelphia was not in the south. Nowhere near it. Mitzi giggled. As if reading the other engine's mind she added, "My crew's from South Carolina so I kinda picked up on their way of talkin.' My driver thinks it's rather cute." Her silver cheeks flushed a little at that statement. Erika smiled, she understood. "Now darlin' let me tell you how things work. We of the Owl Limited take it easy but that don't mean we slack off, no ma'am. We like ta make sure our passengers enjoy the ride so we cruse at a steady 35mph…"

"35?" Erika cut in, "Isn't that a bit too slow?"

The cab forward chuckled, "This is an overnight train, Erika. Our passengers are usually sleepin' and ya can't get much sleep being bounced around. This ain't no Coastal Daylight or Sunbeam, Erika. So we take it slow, we stop every now and then ta let the humans stretch their legs. We come into LA at 8:35am. No earlier and absolutely no later if we can help it."

"Yes but even the Lark doesn't go that slow!"

"I don't make the rules, Erika. The Lark is their special overnight train, the higher ups don't care too much about the Owl but we do our darndest to maintain high standards. It may not be fancy like the Daylight or the Lark but we treat it like it is and I hope a high class GS-4 like yourself can do the same."

Erika was surprised by Mitzi's stern demeanor. She came off as carefree only minutes before. However, Erika liked it. The more dedicated steam engines there were the higher the chance of the humans realizing they were still worth keeping. "Oh yes, I'll do my best!"

"That's what I like ta hear! Now you go on and couple up behind me. These silly humans were about to have another engine pull my Owl! I may be a little ill but I ain't broken, a little boiler ache won't stop me."

Erika quickly made her way to the back of the train without protest, surprising her crew but they weren't going to argue.

She would have looked around her environment in awe; her eyes would have been wide with amusement for it was her first time on the San Joaquin line. However, she couldn't for she was too busy trying not to breath in too much exhaust and steam from the backwards engine as it quickly blackened her face. She gagged and coughed and wheezed, gasping for fresh air. Erika tried to hold her breath only to intake a huge breath followed by another round of hard coughing. Cab forwards were made for the mountains, not passenger trains and she was not made to work with them. That must was obvious.

"How ya doin' back there, hun?!" Mitzi called to her. She got a loud hack in response. "Oh you'll get used to it, dear!"

Erika gagged again; she most certainly wouldn't... ever.

After pulling into the Los Angeles at 8:35am on the dot, Erika quickly made her way towards a siding to get her face washed off. She was exhausted. She was never going to pull night trains again... ever. No matter how many times they threatened her. The indignity of it all!

Mitzi watched quietly from the shed as Erika backed in next to her. The black Daylight's face fresh and clean from the night's adventure and also missing her dark makeup. Erika sighed; she didn't like not wearing her makeup but her crew was too tired to reapply it and she wasn't going to deny them a chance to rest. Chloe always said the longer you wear makeup, the more freaked out people get when they see you without it. She snorted at the memory; her face was always nice to look at, with or without makeup.

"Ah, there's that pretty face of yours." The two engines looked over to see Sam standing in front of his engine, his blue eyes smiling kindly at Erika. "The only time I see you Daylights without your makeup is after a bath, then you rush to get it back on."

She smiled back shyly, feeling a blush coming on. "I feel kind of naked without it."

"That's what you girls always say but, I think you look rather pretty without it, you especially." He stepped up onto Erika's pilot and kissed her cheek softly making her blush further. "Enjoy your rest girl, you did well today and I'm proud of you."

"Thank you..." she replied quietly.

The cab forward smiled at the scene before her, she knew what was going on. However, she waited until they were alone before getting a confirmation. "You like him, don't you?"

Erika jumped slightly. She had no idea Mitzi was there, she had been caught up in the wonderful world of Sam. "Well… well I um…"

"No need to say anymore, darlin'. I understand."

A/N: Well that didn't take forever. Nope! I promise I won't take 500 years like last time. XD