Three days had passed since Percy and Gina had their first full day of being together again. On that day, Percy and Gina had been busy with the mail run, rubbish for Whiff's Waste Dump and two goods trains going to Harwick and Arlesburgh, where Percy and Gina spent the evening at the quayside before returning to Knapford Sheds for their first taste of steady romantic reunion.
Over the following three days, they continued to work in high spirits and harmony while the rest of the island went right along as they usually did. But what was more significantly important was what the Fat Controller had been secretly putting together for the Arlesburgh Maritime Museum. There was to be a visit by a certain gentleman who had only ever visited Sodor once before when Thomas uncovered the pirate treasure Salty spoke of, and given the discovery of who had passed on from this world along with the family Percy ended up killing through his accident, this person would be returning for another visit, and under a slightly unexpected circumstance surrounding Gina.
It was now evening of the third day, and rain was pouring down heavily across the island. It had started lightly that afternoon, but now, the rain was even thicker and heavier. At Tidmouth Sheds, all the engines were right inside their berths, staying dry from all the ruckus outside.
"Well, this is a serious deluge," said Thomas.
"Indeed it is, Thomas," said Emily.
"I agree," Percy added. "But...oh, dear. I do hope Gina manages it alright."
"What makes you think that, Percy?" Emily asked.
"She's still busy with one more job today, taking trucks along Shen Valley," said Percy. "She may be the best shunter in Italy, but I just hope she doesn't wind up in too much trouble. What if there's a tree blocking her way...or flooded track?"
"Gina is a very smart and sharp queen, Percy," said Emily. "I'm sure she won't let this rain make her give up. Rosie didn't give up either, even when she got soaked to the boiler and went to Stanley's shed."
"Maybe so," said Percy. "I just wouldn't want to see her hurt too much. She's such a dear queen...my queen..."
Outside, the rain continued to pour thickly and strongly, and Gina was still working feverishly to get through her last load for the day. As good as she was at shunting, she couldn't recall working in weather like this of late. The rain streamed down her boiler and showered over her face, making big drops drip from her eyebrows and almost into her eyes.
"Ugh!" she shivered. "This is indeed not very Bellissima in the least! Poor Percy must be wondering about me!"
Then Gina came puffing up Shen Valley, feeling a climb in the rails. She had come to a hill, and her driver felt like they were in for a difficult time. The rain was heavy and the wind was steadily strong, but Gina did not care. She was too focused on getting up the hill and carrying on. But as hard as she huffed, she didn't notice that there was a steep bit and a curve coming right along soon. She powered her way to the top of the hill, then started making her way down again.
But as they came around the bend toward the steep drop, a tree suddenly seemed to jump out in front of her, falling quite quickly from one of the slopes and dropping right onto the line ahead. Gina almost had no time to react and suddenly felt frightened.
"Mamma Mia! Help!" Gina whistled.
She braked hard, sending sparks from the rails, but her wheels slipped on the wet rails and she couldn't stop in time. The steep part came and Gina went faster. She yelped with fright and shut her eyes...then she ran smack into the tree, face first and quite painfully, and the branches scratched up and along her funnel and headlamp.
"Ahh!" Gina cried out as the thick wood and bark smacked her forehead rather hard.
Luckily, no one was hurt, and Gina's damage wasn't too severe, except for her top headlamp being completely broken off, and her funnel received a few hefty scratches. Her driver and fireman jumped out and ran up to her. In the shine of her other two headlamps, they saw something that made them both feel most urgent. The tree didn't actually hit Gina in the eye, but her crew made a great fuss about it.
"Gina! Gina! Your forehead!" They cried. "Ooh, it looks bruised! And your eye too!"
"Ow...I'll be fine, lads," Gina insisted. "It didn't hit me directly in the eye. A mere bruising, nothing else."
"Oh, this is an uproar!" her driver exclaimed. "You must get fixed up at once!"
Gina's fireman ran through the rain as it began to let up and get lighter, then found a telephone to alert the Fat Controller, who was just about to leave his office when the telephone rang. He answered and heard everything.
"Oh, dear. I do hope this doesn't upset my plans tomorrow...for her," he thought secretly before answering.
"Oh, dear. Just wait there, and never mind the trucks. I will attend to the matter immediately," said the Fat Controller before he ran to his car and drove off through the rain.
At Tidmouth Sheds, the rain was beginning to stop. Inside, the engines heard the rain get quieter, which made them sigh contently...until they heard the sound of a car engine outside. They heard it stop, then they heard footsteps until the Fat Controller opened up Percy's berth doors.
"Sir? What are you doing here?" Thomas asked.
"Oh, dear, Thomas. Gina needs help out there," said the Fat Controller. "Percy! Gina has had a little accident."
"Oh, no!" Percy exclaimed. "What happened?"
"She was coming down Shen Valley...then ran into a tree," said the Fat Controller. "I need you to head over and help her out of the mess, then to the Steamworks."
"Oh, dear. Right away, sir!" Percy whistled. "I'm coming, Gina!"
And Percy took off from Tidmouth Sheds into the damp evening. The rain was still falling lightly, but Percy could only think about Gina and how she'd look when he saw her. After rushing along the line, he arrived at Shen Valley, where he could see the light of two headlamps ahead of him. Then he saw the fallen tree.
"Gina! Gina, are you there?" he called.
"Oh...Percy! I'm over here!" her voice called back.
"I've got you, Gina!" Percy called as he coupled to her trucks. His sanding gear opened, and he started pulling Gina and her trucks away from the tree and back up the hill to the next set of points.
"Uhh!" Gina groaned. "My head!"
"What happened, Gina?" Percy asked.
"My forehead got pretty smacked on that tree," Gina moaned.
"And her eye! Ohh, it's not fitting in the least!" her driver declared.
"I told you, it's not that bad!" Gina replied.
"I know what's most unfitting right now," said Percy. "Leaving you out here in the wet! I'm taking you to the Steamworks!"
"What about my trucks?" Gina asked.
"They'll have to wait," said her driver. "Your repair must come first, Gina."
Luckily, Gina could still huff about. She found a nearby siding and parked her trucks there. Then Percy hauled Gina all the way to the Steamworks where Victor and a repair crew were waiting. Once they were there, Gina was placed on the turntable and turned right around. Then as a light came on right over Gina, Percy could now see the extent of her damage. Her funnel had some steady scratches that were plainly visible. Her top headlamp was completely crunched and her forehead had a little implosion left from the tree she ran into. And indeed, her eye seemed lightly bruised, but not too serious.
"Uhh...that's quite an ache," Gina groaned as her forehead was still sore from the collision.
"Not to worry, my friend," said Victor. "We'll just touch up your funnel, fix up your lamp. And your forehead will be alright too.
"Ooh...Gina," Percy shuddered as he looked at her damage. "Your headlamp is broken! Your forehead looks quite smacked...and your eye too."
Gina's crew took another look in the light and decided they'd have to do something about it.
"That settles it, Gina," said her driver. "We're putting a bandage over your head...and your eye...you'll need a patch over it."
"I've told you both before. I WASN'T hit in the eye!" Gina insisted. "My forehead could certainly use some bandaging, but I can't go around with a patch over my eye! Everyone will say I look like a pirate! The others will surely laugh over all of it!"
"I'm not letting them see your bruise either, Gina," her driver replied solidly.
"Ooh...I think he's right, Gina," said Percy. "I wouldn't want to see your beautiful face looking bruised like this! Oh, dear!"
"But I...Hmph!" Gina huffed as her crew dashed off.
When they came back, they had a white bandaging cloth which they placed surely over her forehead. Gina managed to smile at first as she felt the gentle, comfortable material blanketing on her forehead. But then Gina looked again, and there it was. A black patch that would go over her eye. She had hoped it would at least be another colour, but this was going completely against her wishes. Percy watched as her crew climbed on her running plate and did their work for a minute or two.
Then they stepped down and Percy could see everything. The bandage that was placed across Gina's forehead...and her eyepatch. As she had negatively stated she'd look like, she indeed looked like a pirate. Something within Percy felt a need to giggle, and with the love and respect he had for Gina, there came a clash between those two things.
"Oh...Gina...uh...I...hm...hm-hm..." Percy struggled, trying with every ounce of steam he had not to laugh.
"Percy..." Gina said sternly, hoping that the engine she loved beyond all else wouldn't fall to Thomas' cheeky state.
Percy tightened his lips and squeezed his eyes shut as a few muffled chortles puffed through his lips.
"Percy!" Gina scolded.
"I-I'm v-very sorry, Gina..." Percy struggled not to giggle. "But no other engine has had to wear a patch like that except Sir Handel!"
Gina suddenly turned from stern to curious. "Sir Handel? It...it happened to him too?"
Percy took a deep breath and pulled himself together.
"Yes, Gina. He was taking passengers along the line once and he ran into a tree just the same. He needed to wear a bandage and patch too, although he wasn't too badly hurt. And he wasn't happy at all."
"Well, Percy...neither am I! Hmph!" Gina huffed indignantly.
"Please don't feel that way, Gina. I'm just very glad you didn't get a scar like Thomas did when he saved the docks form a massive explosion of munitions, shortly before Sailor John's final plight and defeat. And tonight, I think you're still perfectly beautiful just the same...my Italian Queen."
And Percy leaned in and pecked her cheek with a little kiss. Gina's lips tweaked a little to this, and she was pleased to hear Percy say this even now, but she didn't feel too much of a reassuring mood as she thought about what would follow.
"By Seville! I appreciate your word for it, Percy...but I have NEVER felt more ridiculous in my life! Not even during my worst times in Italy had something this ridiculous befallen ME! Not even Thomas brought anything like this upon me!"
"Please, Gina," said Percy. "It's not too terrible, and you'll have it off again soon."
Gina sighed, trying to agree with Percy as she felt his words giving her flickers of encouragement, but she kept huffing and puffing to herself for a fair while yet while the repairmen got to fixing her funnel and her headlamp. Percy thought it best not to bother her with too many words and let her defuse a little however she saw fit, until she found herself getting sleepy.
"Ohh..." she eventually yawned. "Please stay with me tonight, Percy...I'd really applaud your presence during this most unfitting predicament for me."
"Alright, Gina. I'd really like that," Percy yawned as he kissed her cheek once more.
Then he and Gina fell asleep together in the Steamworks while the repairing continued through the night. But Gina had little idea of just what lay ahead for her, both good and bad...and a most unexpected honour would befall her too.
The next morning, the sun shone brightly through the sky. The rain had passed completely and it was a much warmer, dryer day outside. Percy and Gina woke up together and looked around, remembering they were in the Steamworks. In the coming sunlight, Percy took a look at Gina. Her headlamp had been repaired and her funnel's scratches were mended too...but then he saw her eyepatch and bandage again and tried not to giggle again.
"Ahem!" Gina remarked sharply.
"Oh! Hm-hm...uh...good morning, Gina," Percy peeped quietly.
"Good morning," Gina replied neutrally. "I can't see as much as I used to, only with one eye to see with right now."
"It's not too bad, Gina," said Percy. "Anyway, we'd best make our way to Knapford. The Fat Controller will be waiting for us."
Gina really didn't want to go and be seen by the other engines, but being the dedicated hard worker she was, she couldn't say no too being really useful just the same. With a reluctant sigh, she followed Percy out of the Steamworks and back onto the Main Line.
But when Percy and Gina returned to the yards, all the engines were waiting at the station. Gordon and Rebecca were set to pull the express, Thomas and Emily were side by side, and James and Nia had just gathered their trucks from the yards. They seemed to be anticipating something with the little looks of eagerness in their eyes...but then they all saw the two green engines arrive. They had heard about what happened to Gina the night before...but they were not expecting to see her in the state she was now.
As soon as Percy and Gina were only a few metres away from Platform 1 to see meet with the Fat Controller, the voices...and laughs ensued.
"Ha-ha-ha! Look, everyone!" James teased. "Gina's got herself a pirate's decoration!"
"G...Gina! You're wearing an eyepatch?" Nia whistled, trying not to laugh herself.
"Oh, dear! Are Shunting Queens really as rough and tough as pirates now? Watch out, everyone!" Gordon gloated.
"Gordon! No need for that," Rebecca corrected. "Although...this is most unexpected, Gina...hm-hm..."
"Ha-ha! It's a pirate's life, me lady!" James teased. "I never thought my trouble with trees could have ended up with me looking like a pirate! Oh, Gina! You should get a pirate name! A peg-leg! A hook hand...or hook buffer!"
"Stop that! That's enough!" Emily hissed affrontingly to the other engines.
"Oh, Gina! If only you were right beside Cap'n Calles' ship right now!" Thomas laughed. "You'd make an excellent photograph...Pirate Gina!"
"WELL! ONLY because I ran into a tree and my crew made too much of a fuss over me in the first place! HMPH!" Gina huffed loudly.
"Never mind them, Gina," Percy soothed. "They'll get over it and see sense soon enough. What matters is what you think and feel...and what I think too."
Percy then winked to Gina, but she still felt rather ridiculous with everything that had happened. Some of the engines kept laughing and teasing Gina over her pirate-like appearance while Emily tried to tell them off. Then the Fat Controller came out of his office.
"Stop that noise!" he ordered, making everyone stop and look at him as he shook his head. "Ohh! Now...Gina?"
Gina looked up and felt quite silly as she slowly approached the platform. Gordon had to back up, of course. The Fat Controller took one look and Gina and understood just as well as Percy and Emily did.
"Now, Gina," he said surely. "I know you've had a little predicament last night, but what your crew thinks is best for you really is so in the end. You won't have to wear that patch for too long. But that's beside the point. Right now, we have far, far more important things to talk about than a pirate-like patch over your eye."
Gina sighed. "What could possibly cause more fuss than how I look right now?"
"Well...perhaps having you be part of something truly special," said the Fat Controller. "I've been putting it together for a few days now, and this is not just about you. There is also a certain nautical term to today's events."
Gina and even the other engines all looked up to the Fat Controller's words.
"Nautical term?" Emily asked. "Whatever do you mean, sir?"
The Fat Controller looked to Emily with a secret wink, then stood tall.
"Everyone listen, please. Today is a very, very special day for the Arlesburgh Maritime Museum. As you all know, Cap'n Calles' artifacts and treasure all the way from the 16th Century are the talk and pride of that Museum. It was that very treasure that Sailor John tried to make off with after stealing it from my office. But now, just a few days after Percy's accident, it became full knowledge that Sailor John is dead."
Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina already knew this since they first heard about it, but the other engines widened their eyes and whispered a little amongst themselves, remembering the plights that pirate had placed upon Sodor. Then the Fat Controller continued.
"As such, in light of Sailor John's passing, thus ensuring Sodor's ironclad safety and peace, I have heard that the Admiral of the British Navy is paying us all a visit at the Arlesburgh Maritime Museum. The same one who dug up the treasure you followed the clues for, Thomas."
"Ohh! That Admiral?" Thomas inquired. "Cinders and Ashes! I never thought he'd come back!"
"At the museum, Cap'n Calles' ship and his treasure shall be on special display," the Fat Controller continued. "Thomas and Emily, if you work hard enough today, you might be able to see the Admiral yourselves. David shall be awaiting for him at the Museum."
"Yes, sir," said Thomas.
"A naval honour, sir," Emily added.
"And Gina," the Fat Controller said, turning to her. "You have the most important job of all. Since you are our special guest for the remaining nine days, I have decided that you shall have the honour of collecting the Admiral from Brendam Docks and bringing him to Arlesburgh and the Museum!"
Percy shot his eyes to Gina, gasped shrilly and popped his eyes. Then Thomas, Emily, Rebecca, Nia and James all gasped and gaped in unison.
"D'oh! GINA?!" Gordon exclaimed with shock and surprise.
Gina was most staggered and surprised to hear this. She had bestowed the honour of escorting Dame Bella Canto back from the Colosseum back in Italy, but never did she think she would be given the privilege and honour to escort an Admiral of the British Navy. She would have been ecstatic and overjoyed to be given such a job. But under the current circumstances surrounding her appearance, she felt very silly about having to do such a job in such a ridiculous condition.
"S...sir..." she uttered shakily. "I...I am most honoured to be given a job such as this...and I know that to refuse such an honour is most, most unfitting, but look at me! I look so unfitting for such a special, and most respectable gentleman! He'll never approve of how I look!"
"It was merely an accident, Gina," said the Fat Controller. "And I would NEVER have you turn down such a job as this. The Admiral is waiting for you at Brendam Docks, and Daisy has guests to bring to the Museum, which he must meet with."
"Oh...Gina!" Percy gasped. "This is SO special! You must do it! For the Admiral...and for me. Who knows? He might even like the way you look, since pirates are a sense of ocean life after all, and many children love pirates too!"
"Yes, they do. And they'd surely love seeing a Pirate Queen giving the Admiral a ride too!" James teased.
Emily hissed a cloud of steam. "You'd best not forget, James, that David is a Navy Captain too! What would he say if he heard you now?"
"A sound point, Emily," said the Fat Controller. "I'm very sure he'd have plenty to say about your attitude, James! And so would the Admiral!"
James looked away and said nothing more.
"Anyway, Percy is right, Gina," said the Fat Controller. "The Admiral was quick enough to see Thomas' clues of the pirate treasure were true. Perhaps he'll take an interest in how you look. Now, your Pullman coach is right in that siding over there for you to pick him up. And everyone else, we still have a railway to run!"
Percy and Gina got out of Gordon and Rebecca's way and let them take the express. Then the other engines whistled and carried on, some of them still grinning over Gina's newfound appearance.
"I don't know, Percy...I just don't know," said Gina. "What good can I be when I look like a pirate, instead of, say a Navy Sailor?"
"Really, Gina, you can't be so hard on yourself," said Percy. "Please try and put on some pleasantries for the Admiral. You're the Italian Queen. You deserve to take him to the Museum."
Gina sighed and finally whistled on her way to Tidmouth Sheds to turn around the right way. Then she returned to the station, collected her Pullman coach and set off for Brendam Docks. Percy watched her leave and whistled goodbye. Gina whistled back but didn't smile.
For quite a while, Gina didn't say anything, still looking ahead with a slightly limited vision as she could only see with one eye. She still felt as though her crew made too much fuss about it.
"Hmph! I still don't think this...THING was necessary!" she complained to her driver. "That tree DID NOT hit me there, and most of the engines laughed at me for it! And surely the Admiral won't consider this to be very queenly of me at all!"
"We're not arguing about this, Gina," said her driver. "Especially not in front of the Admiral. Just carry on with your nautical job, as it were."
Gina huffed indignantly once more and carried on with a frown, but still felt a wave of excitement to see the Admiral.
When she arrived at Brendam, Gina looked around for anyone very special looking. Her heart began to pound with excitement, anticipation and shame all at once. She was quite afraid of what the Admiral would say if he saw how she looked right now. Then as she came through Salty's shed, she saw a huge ship docked alongside Cranky and Carly, who both looked down and saw Gina.
"What the...Gina! Whatever happened to you? Have you become a pirate queen?" Cranky called down.
"A bandage? And an eyepatch? What's this all about, Chuck?" Carly called next.
"Hmph! I ran into a tree yesterday evening," Gina huffed. "And the patch was my driver's idea! I did NOT get hit there, and I can't look like a pirate in front of the Admiral of the British Navy! I look ridiculous!"
"No, you don't, Chuck," said Carly. "It's only to cover the damage. Any anyway, the Admiral would surely be impressed to see a pirate-like engine."
"Shh!" Cranky hushed. "He's here..."
Gina suddenly stopped frowning and shot her good eye up to the ship. She could see a walkway open up from the ship's deck and reach down to the Docks. Then Gina saw what looked like a big navy blue hat over the rim of the deck. Then she saw him walk right down to the docks and stand tall and proud for a few minutes.
Gina held her breath and kept very, very still. There was the British Admiral of the Royal Navy. He was a white-bearded gentleman and was specially dressed in the most definitive naval attire any soldier could imagine to bestow with such honour. He wore a deep-blue navy coat with most impressive folds, right down to his knees, with golden stripes on both sleeves. Along the left side of his coat, there were countless badges, medals and crests. On both his shoulders, there were two magnificent shoulder badges with impressive gold-coloured braids flowing downward, and a most impressive, wide navy hat.
Then he looked up and saw Gina. Gina felt her heart freeze as she waited for him to be disappointed and ashamed of her appearance...but to her relief and shock, what he said was most unexpected, given her current appearance.
"Well, hello there. You must be Gina," he said proudly. "The Queen of Shunting, as they say...from Italy?"
Gina felt her heart racing with shaky anxiousness and pride as she wondered what to say.
"A...aye, sir," she trembled. "You wish to ride to the Arlesburgh Maritime Museum?"
"Yes. Very good," said the Admiral. "Very good indeed."
Then he walked right up to her Pullman coach. The guard opened the door and helped the Admiral right inside, just as Salty rolled up alongside Gina, seeing her little detail right away.
"Ho-ho-ho, Gina!" he laughed heartily. "I heard what happened yesterday with your little gale-force accident, and I am indeed impressed by your little decoration there! You must be lucky to be given such a job as this, matey!"
Gina said nothing and set off with a brief whistle. She felt a little better to see that the Admiral had shown his dignity and admiration for her despite how she looked. But she still wondered how the rest of her day would turn out.
At the Arlesburgh Maritime Museum, there was quite a gathering. Emily had finished her share of work in time to wait for Gina to arrive with the Admiral, and Daisy had arrived with the guests and was waiting for Gina. Daisy was batting her eyelashes to all the passengers she could while they got down from her and the other coaches, while Emily waited for Gina to arrive with the Admiral.
Then a few minutes later, Emily looked to the Museum and gasped. "Oh! Oh, Daisy! Look!"
"Whatever could it be, Emily?" Daisy asked, looking in her direction. "Ooh!"
From the Museum's front door, David came walking out, then stood proudly beside the engines. He was in his full Navy attire, with his naval cutlass and silver and gold medals gleaming in the sunlight. And on his head, which Emily recognized at once, he wore the dark blue Navy Captain's hat which the General gave him at York Station when he and Emily returned with his mother. David had been preparing for this day himself, and he could not be more eager to meet one of his former Admirals. He looked to Emily and gave a single nod.
"Hello...Captain Rider," Emily greeted.
"Yes, Emily. It is Captain Rider today," said David. "I've been chosen to show the Admiral around for Cap'n Calles' displays. Such an honour this is."
Then everyone heard a familiar whistle. They looked up and saw Gina huffing in with her Pullman coach. Emily whistled to welcome her and Gina whistled back. But when she saw all the guests staring curiously at her, she felt more ridiculous still as she came to a stop. Daisy was most particularly indignant about the matter.
"Oh, Deary me, Gina. You poor small favour," she bragged. "No proper engine should look like that! Oh, dear! Such a shame!"
But at that moment, the Admiral came down from Gina's Pullman coach and walked up alongside the Italian Queen.
"Thank you kindly, Gina. Very comfortable journey...and you're looking quite decorative for this occasion."
"Decorative, sir?" said Gina. "I consider myself a queen, not a pirate I...I thought I looked very silly with this eyepatch."
"You don't look silly," said the Admiral. "It's just fancy dress. The eyepatch is a most particularly lovely detail about pirates. And Cap'n Calles' treasure was pirate treasure after all."
"Oh...I...I see," said Gina. "Well, of course, sir."
"Yes, indeed," said the Admiral. "I have found it most endearing to be chauffeured by an engine with an appreciation for the thematics of this occasion. They say you've found a great deal of archeology in Italy. Treasures as it were...just like Cap'n Calles' treasure."
All the guests smiled and agreed as they started to smile and nod to Gina. No one told the Admiral the real reason why Gina was "dressed up," for this occasion. Not even her driver and fireman.
"Well...grazie, Admiral," she smiled at last. "That means a lot to me."
"And you're very welcome, I'm sure," said the Admiral. "Now. I believe I have a naval colleague who shall show me around the displays?"
David looked up and saw the Admiral turn to him. David felt a strong stir in his heart as he became solemn and most dignified.
"Sir..." he spoke quietly and bowed very low.
When David looked up, he saw the Admiral look at him for a moment. Then he walked slowly toward David, who wondered what his former Admiral would do. Then the Admiral reached out his hand to shake David's.
"I hope I shall have the honour...of your diligent acquaintance today," said the Admiral. "I am very glad to see you, Captain Rider. Very. Aren't I, Emily?"
"Aye, sir," Emily smiled. "We all are."
"Very good, indeed," said David. "Now, if you'll just follow me, Admiral..."
Then the two navy figures walked together into the museum.
"Well...I'll take my leave," said Emily as she puffed away.
All Gina could do was feel her pride swelling in her boiler as the guests continued to smile and compliment on her entertaining appearance. She had succeeded in bringing the Admiral to the Museum, and no one else was laughing at her now. At last, she no longer felt embarrassed or ridiculous.
"Bellissima," she bubbled happily. "Wait until Percy hears all about THIS!"
Meanwhile, David led the Admiral through the Museum's hallways. The Admiral kept looking around inquisitively at the displays until they came to the main display for his visit. There were some of Cap'n Calles' ancient belongings...and most important of all, there was the treasure which was now a firm part of Sailor John's legacy.
"Impressive...extraordinary," said the Admiral. "Invigorating and truly remarkable."
"Indeed it is, Admiral," said David. "So this...is the very treasure that Sailor John tried to attain for himself...even at the attempted cost of Thomas' life."
"Yes, so it is. And you know, I do have to admit, Captain Rider," said the Admiral. "Prior to my first visit here for the grand opening of the Cabalnoo Maritime Museum, back when Sailor John was still in the Navy, and a few years before you ever joined us as a new recruit...even I never could have foreseen any of the crimes that pirate ended up committing on this very island after you flushed him out of our Navy."
David looked at the Admiral a little gravely and seriously as he remembered those events all too well.
"Well, I never could have foreseen it myself," said David. "I actually felt so far as to feel somewhat responsible for it all, given how my flushing him out somehow led to him coming here...and wreaking the havoc that he did...although Emily told me I'm not to blame for any of that. No one could have ever foreseen what went through that man's mind...not even using Cap'n Calles' ship to try and escape."
"Yes. If only we could study one's mind much more closely," said the Admiral. "Speaking of such...where is Cap'n Calles' ship? I'd very much like to see it. And your ship too, so I recall?"
"Oh, of course. It's right this way, Admiral," David gestured with dignity and Navy debonair at its finest.
David walked with the Admiral, out of the museum and through the village, all the way to the pier and the lighthouse. The Admiral looked up and smiled proudly. Cap'n Calles' ship was standing magnificently in the waves as the two navy men came closer to the pier. When they got there, Emily was standing contently on one of the rail lines, looking out to sea. She then looked to the left and saw David and the Admiral walk up beside her. David winked to her while she smiled back.
"Truly splendid," said the Admiral, looking at Cap'n Calles' ship. "This is indeed a fine discovery Thomas made for all of us."
"Very much so," said David. "And now, Admiral...look to your right."
The Admiral looked, and on the other side of the pier, there it was. The magnificent emerald green ship that the young captain had come to own for all he had done in his service, then gave Emily a most unforgettable adventure with.
"Ahh, there she is," said the Admiral. "The mighty Sea Emperor. Upon which, I hear you were the most notorious goods transporter on British waters."
"Aye, I was, Admiral," said David. "And to find my mother again, I took Emily on that very ship to Bristol. Wherever I had to go on that ship, I'd go, both for the duty and for the sense of excitement and exuberance. That's truly what a ship is, Admiral. It's not just a keel and a haul and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs. But what a ship IS...what the Sea Emperor really is...is adventure."
"Well. If it was adventure enough for you...and Emily, of course," said the Admiral, winking to her. "Then I am pleased that you had such adventures."
"Too right, we did, Admiral," Emily smiled. "On water, and on the rails."
"Which reminds me," David suddenly remembered. "There's someone I think you'd like to meet, Admiral."
"Who would that be?" the Admiral asked.
David started walking back from the pier, while the Admiral followed. Emily wondered who they'd be going to see and decided to follow along too. They made their way toward the boat shed where Skiff was kept when he wasn't busy. Then David opened the doors to reveal who was inside, and the Admiral heard a most enthusiastic and chipper voice.
"Oh! Good day to you, David! My, you look grand today! And...oh! Who is this gentleman?"
Emily chortled a giggle, and the Admiral formed a curious look as David turned around and gestured.
"Here, Admiral. Meet Arlesburgh's Railboat. Skiff. I believe it's fair to say that he too is a piece of Sailor John's legacy. He ended up in Sailor John's hands for an unfortunate period of time, using him to navigate around Arlesburgh and Harwick's coast and roll about on the line with Thomas to try and find the treasure...then Skiff brought a revelation upon himself and stopped that pirate from escaping any further. Now he's a Railboat for passengers and children alike."
The Admiral looked curiously at the Railboat and slowly nodded.
"I see. Well, that was all very, very diligent of you, Skiff," said the Admiral. "Going up against Sailor John even when he had you in his grasp."
"I...yes, I did, sir," said Skiff. "I heard the news of his death as soon as the paper came through, and I felt such stirrings in my heart! I never truly liked him to begin with...and then Thomas came along and we thwarted that pirate together!"
Just then, as if right on cue, David, Skiff, Emily and the Admiral heard Thomas' whistle. They all looked up and saw him puff in with plans to see the Admiral. He gave Emily a loving smile, then when he saw he Admiral, he stopped right away and smiled broadly.
"Oh! Hello, Admiral," said Thomas. "Are you enjoying your visit?"
"Ahh, hello again, Thomas!" the Admiral exclaimed. "It's been indeed a long time since I last visited...and you followed Salty's clues to find that pirate treasure which I dug up for the Museum. So good to see you again."
"You too, sir. And...I also found some treasures in Italy. Have you heard?" Thomas asked.
"Oh, yes, Thomas," said the Admiral. "I've heard all about your remarkable discovery in Italy. So many years since I last saw you...but when I heard the news of Lorenzo and Beppe, it's very clear to me that your remarkable treasure-hunting skills have not been lost at all since my previous visit. You are also extraordinary in many other ways, Thomas. Especially for thwarting Sailor John not only once, but twice."
Thomas was flattered, but there was something else to this occasion that was tugging at his mind underneath.
"Many thanks, Admiral...I know that's exactly why you came. But I can't take all the credit for stopping that pirate the first time. If not for Skiff here, I never would have stopped Sailor John from escaping with the treasure."
"Hmm...the more I recall it...I believe I did hear of Sailor John's arrest after that chase," said the Admiral. "You are indeed very brave, Skiff."
"Hmm...Well, if you please, sir," said Skiff. "My only regret is that I didn't turn on Sailor John much sooner than I did. Sometimes I feel like I should have done something quicker to stop him before he went as far as he did."
"What has happened in the end makes no difference to me," said the Admiral. "You were a most noble and loyal friend to Thomas to stop Sailor John where he was, Skiff. You and Thomas have both shown great strength and nerve to go up against that pirate. And all the engines who helped stop him for good in Sodor's darkest hour. You, Thomas, Emily, Gordon, James, Henry and Hiro. All of you showed pure nerve and outstanding courage, and for ultimately bringing the very end to Sailor John's reign, you have all earned the entire Navy's everlasting respect and gratitude, including mine."
"Oh, sir," Emily whispered happily.
"Thank you so much, sir," Thomas whispered too.
"It is my deepest pleasure, Thomas and Emily," said the Admiral. "And as for you, Captain Rider..."
"Aye, sir?" David answered.
"I thought it would be right to let you know...that I and the rest of the Navy have gone to great lengths to ensure that there will never be anyone else in our ranks who will EVER follow in John's dark footprints ever since you most gallantly thwarted his original plans. Who would have ever thought that any other soldier would have the initiative, nerve and ambition to perform such a maneuver as using that whirlpool to ultimately expose that man's grave injustices upon our fellow soldiers? Superb work, Captain Rider."
"And such efforts gained me this naval cutlass, silver medal and the Sea Emperor," David declared.
"Indeed, they did, Captain Rider," the Admiral nodded proudly. "As such, with our new measures of safety, you, your mother and your crew can all rest assured that Sodor has the finest guardian we had for those years still protecting this village, and his friends as well. And the many heroic and enterprising engines that have the honour of serving this island. In the grand traditions of the Navy, you, Captain Rider were given a most remarkable naval cutlass all of your own. It is a military blade, and it has protected you well for all these years."
"My thanks and gratitude are ever-constant, Admiral," David nodded with dignity. "And I assure and pledge before you. As long as I am here, I will see to it that Sodor NEVER sees another menace like Sailor John again. No sooner did I rid Sodor of that cursed Diesel 10, and so such atrocities will never befall us again."
The Admiral smiled, then performed a navy salute. David immediately stood tall and returned the salute. Then he bowed to the Admiral and gave a smile to Emily, who smiled at her navy mentor and his former Admiral.
But while David, Emily and the Admiral exchanged proud glances to each other, Skiff couldn't help but notice a certain look in Thomas' eyes. He had not said another word, and seemed to have quite a lot on his mind. He had a few little thoughts occupying his mind and didn't know what to make of them just yet, especially since the Admiral was paying a visit, and even more so with the reason surrounding his visit. Skiff wondered if there was anything bothering Thomas and felt it would be only right to ask what it could be.
"Thomas? Is everything alright?" Skiff asked nicely. "Is anything wrong?"
Thomas held his deep expression, then turned briefly to the Railboat. He took a half-second glance to Emily, then back to Skiff.
"No, Skiff...no, it's nothing..." Thomas said quietly. Then he puffed away, humming deep in thought to himself, which Emily slightly noticed.
"Hmm," said Skiff as he looked back to Emily and the two navy men.
"Yes, I must say, you are all most amazing engines," said the Admiral. "And I can never be more proud of any of you."
"Many thanks, Admiral," said Emily. "It's such an honour to have seen you again."
But then Emily thought back to how Thomas left. She wondered what he could have been thinking and hummed to herself as she puffed away herself, whistling goodbye to the Admiral. The Admiral gave a wave and resumed his visit with David...
Eventually, the Admiral's visit was over. David escorted him back to the Museum where Gina was waiting to take him back to Brendam Docks. Daisy was getting ready to take her guests home too, who had all been complimenting Gina's appearance as they came and went in and out of the museum over that afternoon. This time, Gina was smiling buffer to buffer to see the Admiral come along, ready to return to Brendam.
"They all like my pirate dress-up, Admiral," Gina smiled. "They all really like it."
"It's like I said, Gina. It's just fancy dress," said the Admiral. "Now, this has been a most splendid visit, and I have you to thank for bringing me here so I could see everything. You are a really useful pirate queen, Gina."
"Oh...grazie, Admiral!" Gina bubbled with sheer delight and pride.
"But now, it is time I returned to the Royal Navy," said the Admiral. "Please take me back to Brendam. My ship awaits."
"Right away, sir," Gina pledged. "All aboard, Admiral."
"Why thank you, Gina," said the Admiral.
As soon as he was onboard Gina's coach, she whistled with delight and huffed quickly and efficiently all along the line. By now, she began to forget all about the initial embarrassment she felt over her bandage and eyepatch and simply bask in her pride and honour over being allowed to escort the Navy Admiral to and from the Museum. This would indeed be something for Percy to hear all about.
Soon, Gina returned to Brendam Docks, where the Admiral's ship was waiting and ready to take him back to sea.
"Thank you so much, Gina," he said. "You have done most excellently today, and everyone seemed to like your presentation today."
"Thank you again, Admiral," Gina smiled. "Safe journey!"
"Anchors aweigh, Gina!" the Admiral called back as he made his way back to his ship. Gina smiled all the way until he boarded his ship.
"A most unexpected day this has been," Gina said aloud. "Bellissima indeed!"
"Excellent work today, Gina," said her driver. "The whole museum was glad to see the Admiral, and they were all glad to see you looking the way you did. Now...what say we go and tell Percy all about it?"
"Ohh...I'd LOVE to! He'll be so pleased to hear how it turned out!" Gina bubbled ecstatically. Then they set off at full speed to Gina's perfect green engine.
Back in the yards, Percy had returned from his day's work, hoping that Gina had turned out well with the Admiral. He remembered how she felt when the day started and how she decided to press through the teasing and take the Admiral, regardless of how she looked.
"Hmm...I just wonder what she'll have to tell me," he said to himself.
Then he heard Gina's whistle and looked up. There she was, rushing toward him and wearing a much happier expression than she had when the day started out. Percy could tell she was very pleased and proud about something and he smiled too as Gina buffered right up to him and whistled once more.
"Hello, Gina," said Percy. "What's going on? You look mighty happy. Much happier than when the day started out..."
Gina had been waiting to tell Percy everything, and now her chance had come as she bubbled all over with excitement.
"Oh, Percy...Percy!" Gina gasped. "I never imagined today would turn out the way it did, especially given how it started this morning!"
"Well...what happened, Gina?" Percy asked. "I recall you looking very embarrassed and feeling ridiculous over that eyepatch. What did the Admiral say?"
"Well, I did feel embarrassed and ridiculous...until I met the Admiral," said Gina. "I still felt nervous and embarrassed when I saw him...but he greeted me very pleasantly and he even recognized that I'm my own queen."
"He did?" Percy asked.
"That he did, Percy. He got right on-board my coach, although Salty claimed it was only lucky that I was given such a job with how I looked. I brought the Admiral to the Museum where Emily, Daisy and David were all waiting. Daisy laughed and teased me at first, but then the Admiral came out and complimented on my pirate-like appearance, stating it was appropriate for the occasion, since Cap'n Calles' treasure is prate treasure too. I thought I looked silly all that time, but he told me I wasn't silly. It's just fancy dress."
Percy heard everything and smiled from buffer to buffer. "Well...I know you were upset before, but you look very lovely, even for a pirate, Gina."
"Grazie, Percy," said Gina. "Even Daisy's guests liked how I looked. They didn't laugh at me at all. Instead, they all complimented me whenever they had the chance, all while David had the run of the tour with the Admiral, right until I took him back to Brendam so he can return to sea."
"Oh, Gina!" Percy whistled. "You should be very proud of yourself, today! Taking the Admiral to and from the museum, and making the guests happy by being the pirate queen for today!"
Then Gina's driver and fireman stepped down.
"Yes, she has done a wonderful job today," said her driver. "And now that your work is done, Gina, I think it is time for your little reward."
"What little reward?" Gina asked, feeling her heart perk up.
"I think it's about time you had your bandage and eyepatch removed, Gina," said her driver.
Gina gasped and her eyes popped. "Really?"
"Si. It's been a fair while, and you were very cooperative to wear it with the Admiral. He came to admire it too," said her fireman.
Then her driver and fireman stepped onto her running plate. Gina stood still as they carefully removed the eyepatch, then the bandage, and Percy waited with eager eyes. Then Gina's crew stepped down and drew a small mirror and let her look at herself.
"There you go, Gina. Bellissima, isn't it?" said her driver.
Gina gasped as she looked at herself. She could now see the way she did before, the implosion in her head had dissipated and her eye was perfectly alright again. Now she felt truly thankful for everything that had happened today. And when her fireman stepped away, she looked up and saw Percy's big smile, feeling even better. After nearly an entire day of wearing something she thought was ridiculous and garnered plenty of teasing, then turned out to be something a little better, Gina felt truly ecstatic.
"Ohh! Thank you, senor!" she gasped happily. "It's off at last!"
Percy was quite happy too. He whistled with delight and buffered right to Gina, giving her a big kiss right on her cheek.
"Oh, Gina!" Percy exclaimed. "Your eyepatch is off! And so is your bandage! Oh, I'm so delighted to see your lovely face in its entirety again!"
"Oh, Percy...my dear, perfect Percy," Gina blushed. "I do have to admit it. My pirate-like appearance wasn't quite as bad as I thought...but I'm more than delighted to be rid of it now."
"You know...so am I, Gina," Percy peeped. "I'm very happy to see your face in its full beauty again...I love you, Gina."
And with that, he leaned in and kissed Gina's cheek steadily and lovingly, which earned a happy blush from Gina's face. This had indeed been quite an experience for Gina, and Percy was very pleased to see her turn out so nicely in the end. Percy gently nuzzled closer to Gina and kissed her nose too.
"Oh, Gina...I love you...and I'm very happy for you today," Percy whispered as he kissed her chin next.
"Ooh...Percy..." Gina whispered as she kissed his cheek in turn. "Grazie...I love you too."
Percy and Gina spent quite a while more in the yards, gently kissing, nuzzling and holding each other close until they saw the sun setting. It had been a busy day for Gina in a few unexpected ways, but she felt very pleased with herself and Percy.
"Well, Gina...shall we find somewhere cozy to sleep?" Percy asked.
"Too easy, Percy," said Gina. "Knapford Sheds, right there. If Thomas and Emily aren't in there..."
Percy winked and pushed her along the line, then toward the sheds. As they had hoped, they were empty. And there, they began to feel sleep tugging at them and they eventually shared a long, loving goodnight kiss together, then fell into a gentle slumber together. They didn't feel much need to be too fiery tonight. That would be for another, more special time they would share one day. Today, Gina had been a pirate queen, by accident and chance as it were, following her incident the night before, and it had spawned a little trouble, but from that little spot of trouble came great pride and dignity, and she and Percy would not forget it anytime soon.
At Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas and Emily were still awake, thinking about their share of the Admiral's visit. Emily felt quite honoured to see him again, as did Thomas, and they were both very proud to hear that they now had the entire Navy's respect.
"Amazing, isn't it, Thomas?" said Emily. "We saw the Admiral again, Gina's pirate queen antic was received well by the Admiral, and we now have the entire Navy's respect...all for what we did to stop Sailor John for good. Now Percy and Gina are surely sharing Knapford Sheds again. What do you think, Thomas?"
When she didn't hear Thomas answer, she looked at him and saw him staring down to his buffers, obviously thinking deep about something.
"Thomas?" she said again.
"Oh?" said Thomas, looking up. "Oh. Y-yes, Emily. Perhaps they d-did. And...yes. Today was a very fine day for the Admiral...and...u-us."
"Thomas?" Emily asked, noticing his slightly shifty mood. "You...You've been very quiet all evening...is there something on your mind?"
Thomas looked at Emily again and suddenly felt a certain jump in his heart that made him feel uncomfortable. He was still wrestling with some certain thoughts he had not brought forward yet, and he began to feel some sensations that made him feel troubled. He tried hard to fight these sensations.
"N-No...no, Emily. It...it's nothing..." he said before looking down to his buffers again.
Emily began to wonder if there really was something bothering Thomas again. Was there something to do with the Admiral's visit that she didn't yet know could be on Thomas' mind? And why would he suggest it was nothing, when it was clearly something? Emily wondered what this could mean, and was sure there was something else to Thomas' quiet, unusual behaviour, but she was too tired to think much about it now, so she yawned and fell asleep soon enough, as did Thomas. For Emily, this had been a proud day, seeing David and the Admiral together and getting to see Gina bestow the honour of bringing the Admiral there.
But for Thomas, as he slept in Tidmouth Sheds with the other engines that night, there was indeed something else still tweaking at his mind. This whole day's event had brought on something else that was indeed bothering him underneath. Even after a few days had gone by since Percy and Gina had returned, Thomas still couldn't shake away the fact that Sailor John, his most notorious enemy, was dead and never to roam the world again for all eternity. And with all this Navy activity with the Admiral and David, and the fact that the whole occasion had been held in light of Sailor John's death, it made Thomas' mind wander back to the times he and Sailor John had crossed paths before, from first acquaintance to searching for the treasure, to the chase for the treasure, all the way up to the showdown at Vicarstown Station.
All this line of thought made Thomas think about what just might have happened if things didn't turn out the way they did through the age of that pirate's vendetta...if a much worse thing happened. A really frightful and devastating thing it would have been...if Gordon, James, Henry and Hiro had not come to the rescue that very day for Thomas and Emily. Something that Thomas hadn't thought of before due to how everything turned out the way they did. In spite of the fact that Sailor John was dead, which in effect, deemed Sodor a safer place than ever before, to even dream of the thoughts Thomas began to feel little flickers of would bring him brief, but terribly effective trauma to him one night, which only Emily would be able to help him recover from.
So, this is offically our 100th story published after "Sailor John: A Pirate's Vendetta", which was our 85th story, and since we killed off Sailor John just a few stories ago, I figured that it would be appropriate to have our 185th story be a special story to mark the occasion of 100 stories since "Sailor John: A Pirate's Vendetta", while also using a Railway Series reference to "Sir Handel Comes Home" from "Great Little Engines", with Gina's accident and pirate appearance being based on what happened to Sir Handel on the Talyllyn Railway. And our next story will also be another celebratory story as it will be our 100th story published after "Love is All You Need", as we teased with Thomas at the very end. So, until then, tell us what you thought of this story and we'll see next time.