"The tugboat… For its size, is the most powerful craft to float. And, the Star Tugs, are the power behind the docks and water waves that make up the Bigg City Port.

This… Is TUGS"

Season Two, Episode One: Zoey

While I was, of course, operating a fleet of tugboats, I had great relations with Bigg City's Dock Railway. Top Hat was the only railway tug in the port, making him the only one capable of towing Car Floats full of the railway's wagons across the harbor. I remember a time when Top Hat was becoming conceited because of this, but then again, when isn't he conceited?

"Evening crew!" said Top Hat one evening, "How were you all without me today?"

"Hanging around with Little Ditcher and dredging at Mittsville…" groaned Sunshine.

"Just like everyday, eh my dear Sunshine?" said Top Hat, cheekily.

"Much like how everyday you're waltzing around the harbor with the railway wagons?" asked Ten Cents, feeling rather offended.

"Are you suggesting that that's a bad thing? I'm the only tug that can do it." bragged Top Hat, "You're too small for a job like that, Ten Cents"

"Better a switcher than a long-necked giraffe!"

"What cheek!"

"Alright, alright! Settle down!" I interrupted, "We've got a busy day tomorrow. I've received word that the Duchess is returning to Bigg City tomorrow afternoon, and I will need all of you to help out in towing her in. And yes, Top Hat, that includes you."

"Me?" complained Top Hat, "But the railway's been very busy recently! Who's going to look after the Car Floats if I have to help?"

"You've helped us out in bringing Ocean Liners into port before Top Hat, why do you have a problem with it now?" asked Ten Cents, confused.

"I'm just concerned for the railway!" objected Top Hat, "If the Car Floats don't get delivered, there will be severe delays for them."

But what Top Hat didn't realize, was that while we were focused on the contract with the Duchess, that Captain Zero had made a new purchase… Her name was Zoey, the sixth member of the Z-Stack crew, and I'm sorry to say… Her arrival meant that Top Hat was no longer the only Railway Tug in Bigg City Port.

"Aha! There she is, lads! Our new recruit!" said Captain Zero as she approached the dock, "Everyone, meet Zoey! My new Railway Tug. I purchased her from New York… Real cheap, too. I'm so glad you could make it, Zoeeeyyy"

"My pleasure... Captain Zero, is it?" greeted Zoey.

"Correct! And these are your new acquaintances, please make yourself at home, Zoey."

"Welcome to the crew, my dear, I promise we'll treat you with the finest hospitality…" flirted Zorran, "You can call me Zorran!"

"He isn't actually… You know, with her, is he?" whispered Zebedee to Zak.

"Yes he is…" said Zak, rather disgusted. "He thinks he's such a gentleman."

"What was that?" asked Zorran suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing, Zorran! Welcome to the fleet, Zoey! I'm Zak."

"Zebedee."

"And these two you'll know as Zip and Zug." said Zorran at last, as all the other Z-Stacks began chuckling.

Zoey chuckled back, "Well it's a pleasure to meet you all! What kind of work do you have in mind for me, so to speak?"

"Tomorrow the Star Fleet will be too busy with that damned Ocean Liner's contract! But this time, I actually am happy…" said Captain Zero.

"Why's that, Captain?" asked Zorran, remembering the last time the Duchess came to the port.

"Because this means that the long-necked Top Hat won't be working at the railway…" explained Captain Zero, "With Zoey here we finally have a chance to take the Car Float contract from them! I want you Zoey, tomorrow, to take the Car Floats at the Transfer Dock and take them to their respective destinations… Do your best and we'll finally have a bonus to our business!"

"Great! What a lark…" laughed Zorran, "It's about time we take that Top Hat down a few pegs…"

"Anything for you, sir…" smirked Zoey, eager to please. "I'd be delighted to get acquainted with this new railway and its engines…"

The next day, all of the Star Tugs were very busy. The Duchess arrived at 1:00 that day, and they all did their best to help dock her. Top Hat was still worried about the Car Floats.

"How much farther do we have to go?" asked Top Hat.

"Several yards Top Hat! Come on, concentrate!" snapped Ten Cents.

"I have to get back to the railway soon!" he complained.

Ignore the railway, Top Hat!" said O.J., "If we don't work together, the Duchess isn't gonna get docked properly!"

Top Hat stayed silent and concentrated after that. But when they were almost at the port, Top Hat's eyes drifted off into the distance… He noticed something. It was Zoey, towing two familiar Car Floats across the bay. Top Hat couldn't believe his eyes!

"Who's that?" he asked, "They've got my Car Floats! O.J., they've got my Car Floats!"

"TOP HAT LOOK OUT!" screeched O.J., but it was too late. At that moment, the Duchess bumped into Top Hat's hull.

"OH-OH alright alright!" he whinged.

Soon, the Duchess was docked and the Star Tugs could go about their separate ways. The first thing Top Hat did when he cut his line was race across the harbor to look for the tug that had taken his Car Floats. He soon found her.

"YOU!" shrieked Top Hat, "Who are you, and what's the big idea, taking my car floats?"

"Can't you read a nameplate, smart guy?" snarled Zoey, "And your car floats? These are the Dock Railway's car floats, and I'm taking them to the Terminal."

"What?! That's my job!" objected Top Hat.

"Then where were you this morning? Some Railway Tug you are if you neglect your car floats."

"It wasn't my fault, I had to help my mates!"

"Oohhh, hello Top Hat!" teased Frank, "I think it's time we hang around with a new long-necked lassie, isn't it Eddie?"

"At least this one doesn't wear an old, beat-up Top Hat and a lousy monocle!" said Eddie, and both car floats laughed out loud, as Zoey continued into the distance.

"What?! My monocle looks great on me, let me tell you! You low-lives get back here at once!" shouted Top Hat, but Zoey and the floats had already headed off into the distance. All Top Hat could do was sulk back to the Star Dock, where I was waiting to confront him about what had happened earlier.

"Top Hat, what's this I heard about you losing focus on the Duchess today? I've received complaints from her and O.J. here." I asked.

"Sir, I can explain." said Top Hat, "Those Z-Stacks have got a new recruit, and she's stolen my car floats! They can't do that sir, it's my job and my job only!"

"Weren't you just the other day bragging about how you were the only tug in the port that could do the job?" asked Ten Cents.

"I had no idea there were other tugs like you, Top Hat!" exclaimed Sunshine.

"Well there's one now, and she's stolen my job!"

"Alright Top Hat, alright! Settle down!" I said at last, "I will have to take a look into this later, but you can't deny that this new tug of Captain Zero's did do you a favor when you were busy with the Duchess."

"But… But…"

"Relax, Top Hat, it'll be alright." sighed O.J., "You can still do odd jobs with us while this is being sorted out."

"Ohhh I was afraid you'd say that…" groaned Top Hat, "Well, I suppose as long as it doesn't involve towing smelly garbage barges with Warrior…"

Meanwhile at the Zero Dock, Captain Zero was very pleased with Zoey's performance.

"Well done, my dear Zoey. I heard you were right on time today!"

"I was actually early, Captain!" explained Zoey.

"Even better… I'll talk to the railway about the contract first thing tomorrow." said Captain Zero deviously, "This'll be great for my business."

"Well done, Zoey!" laughed Zorran, "You taught that Top Hat a lesson."

"Top Hat? Was he that other railway tug that followed me earlier today?" asked Zoey.

"Yes… And you certainly put him in his place."

"I suppose I did…" she thought, "Somebody's gotta do it if he's going to waltz off and choose to dock Ocean Liners over doing what he was designed for."

"Exactly… You've for sure made the railway very satisfied, be proud of yourself!" laughed Zorran.

Little did Captain Zero know, however, was that the Dock Railway's engines weren't that pleased to find out that a Z-Stack was trying to tow their rolling stock across the bay. Our friend Puffa tried to remain optimistic but his sister, Little Owl, was having none of it.

"Now now, they do get their work done fairly efficiently!" argued Puffa.

"Yeah, while TRYING TO SINK ME IN THE PROCESS!" shrieked Little Owl.

Now, Little Owl was a hard worker, but difficult to please. Ever since they destroyed one of the railway's bridges with the steel rig, Little Owl never trusted the Z-Stacks.

"If those Z-Stacks are going to take over the car floats from now on, then I refuse to shunt a single car onto Frank and Eddie. If you want to trust those crooks, fine by me. But you wouldn't catch me scrapped working with them."

It was at that moment that the two shunting engines saw Top Hat slowly crawling towards the dock.

"Ayyy, hello Top Hat!" greeted Puffa, "Why the long face?"

"Why do you think?" said the Railway Tug, "Those Z-Stacks have stolen my place here at the Railway Dock. What am I supposed to do now if they're taking over?"

"I won't let that happen… Not if I have a bone to pick with those Zed's…" said Little Owl, in a rather threatening matter.

"Well if I can't do anything about it, what can you do?" asked Top Hat.

"I've got a plan… Now, is anyone else besides us three listening?"

Top Hat and Puffa looked, no one to be seen. So Little Owl whispered her plan to her friends. Top Hat grinned.

"If I didn't know any better… I'd say that idea came from one of those Zed's!" he said.

They waited until the strength of the waves increased further. Zoey came in to pick up the Car Floats just as Little Owl was shunting some log cars aboard Eddie… They had come derailed, however, but Zoey couldn't see that from the direction she was facing.

"Are these heading Up River?" asked Zoey.

"Yes, indeed. Get them there quickly, we've got a tight schedule today!" lied Little Owl,
"More log cars will be coming in soon."

"Then there's no time to lose…" said Zoey, determined.

Zoey revved her engine and set off quickly. Little Owl snickered as she lost sight of the Z-Stack. Zoey was speeding, she had fallen for Little Owl's trick and the current wasn't going to take it easy on her.

"Gotta get there on time… If I make enough trips I bet the railway will be begging to use me instead of Top Hat!"

As she sped through the port, the current kept hitting the car floats and caused the derailed log cars to shift. One final wave was enough, and the cars tipped over and fell into the sea!

"Stop, Zoey!" shrieked Eddie, "Log cars overboard!"

"What?! How?!" she screamed, caught off-guard.

Zoey, not thinking straight, quickly tried to turn around to go back for the log cars, which had already sunk into the bay. Instead, she lost control, and found herself veering towards the old docks. On Frank's side, she crashed into the dock, causing the cars on Frank to also fall off and sink into the bay, with the docks completely destroyed.

"Help! Help!" called Frank.

"I can't!" wailed Zoey. Then, to her horror, the impact had caused her ropes attached to Eddie to snap. Now, Eddie was drifting away from the wreckage.

"No-no-no-no! Eddie, come back!"

Then… Top Hat came in, to catch Eddie and prevent him from drifting any further.

"Good heavens, what a mess! Are you alright, Zoey?" he asked, now a little concerned.

"Of course not!" cried Zoey, "Get a crane, fast!"

"Right away!" said Top Hat, as he took off.

Top Hat thought that Little Owl's plan would only delay Zoey, he didn't think it would cause a severe accident. Nevertheless, he alerted the salvage crew, and soon they were clearing up the wreckage. Luckily, all of the wagons were recovered, but were heavily damaged. Captain Zero wasn't too pleased when he found out what had happened.

"You clumsy bimbo!" he shouted at her, "What were you thinking, speeding across the port during a strong current?"

"Please, captain! I can explain!" protested Zoey, "The shunting engine told me-"

"I'm not here to listen to your rubbish excuses! Now the Dock Railway doesn't trust us and have refused to give us the contract! And it's all your fault…"

"No, sir! It isn't, please, if you'd just listen-"

"Absolutely not! If this is how stupid you are, you have no place in my fleet. Get out of my sight this instant!"

Zoey had no choice. "… As you wish, sir…" she sighed sadly, and began backing out of the dock.

"Well done, captain… She makes Warrior look smart" said Zak, mockingly.

Zoey then stopped at the Star Dock for a moment, and looked at Top Hat.

"Well, Top Hat… You can have your car floats back, I hope you're happy…" she sighed.

Zoey sadly chuffed away, never intending to return to Bigg City again. Top Hat now felt bad for Zoey, it technically wasn't her fault… And there was only one thing he could do to redeem himself.

"Captain Star, sir, can I please let you in on something?" he asked to me.

"Yes Top Hat?" I replied.

"What happened today wasn't entirely Zoey's doing… You see, earlier I was let in on a scheme Little Owl had been plotting. She lied to Zoey and told her there was an extra shipment of logs and that Zoey had to do her job faster, and…"

"… Aaannndd?"

"She also deliberately derailed the log cars so that they'd more than likely go overboard for Zoey. I didn't think it would cause an accident like it did, sir, but…"

"But that was still despicable, Top Hat. What have you got to say for yourself?" asked Ten Cents, rather shocked that Top Hat took part in that.

"… Nothing… You're right Ten Cents, it was horrid of me to allow her to ruin Zoey's chances of staying in the Zero Fleet. What should I do now?"

"I think you've done enough, Top Hat." advised O.J., "Thank you for owning up. We'd better let the Dock Railway know about this tomorrow morning."

And that's exactly what happened. I contacted the Dock Railway's manager the next day and told them about Top Hat and Little Owl's scheme. They weren't too pleased with Little Owl's actions and as punishment, they put her on shunting duties, and only shunting duties, for a whole week as punishment for her actions, and I put Top Hat on garbage duty for the same amount of time as well for his own contributions. But what about Zoey? Well, a few weeks later, Top Hat and OJ were working Up River, and were very surprised to find…

"Zoey?! Is that really you?" asked Top Hat.

"Yes, it is me!" said Zoey, in a completely new coat of paint! "I was bought by the salvage company and now I work here Up River! It's much nicer here, I gotta say."

"Don't you miss working with Captain Zero?" asked O.J.

"After how Captain Zero refused to let me explain my side of the story? Not a chance, those Z-Stacks will only dig their own graves with their despicable behavior. Top Hat, I'm sorry for how I put you down while I was working with them."

"And I'm sorry for looking for different ways to get my job back. Can we let bygones be bygones?"

"Of course! I'm much happier here, and that accident turned out to be beneficial for me!"

In the end, getting rid of Zoey was Captain Zero's loss, but her gain. She wasn't such a bad tug after all, and making a friend of a former Z-Stack is never a bad thing!

Welcome to the first story of my rendition of "Tugs: Season Two!" I plan to have 13 chapters written for this fanfiction, much like how Season One had thirteen episodes. I've already gotten two more stories written which will be on here shortly, but if you want to see them sooner, you can check my Deviantart page! I'd really appreciate hearing your feedback on my own headcanon of a criminally underrated TV Show. Thank you!

~ TheLOKRailfan