Unexpected Detour

A week passed since the Unity Festival. Thomas and Gervase were returning to Sodor, and France Respectively to resume their duties while Duchess Corinne's future was still uncertan.

Thomas: Well this is it. We're heading home. It's been an honor working with you both.

Gervase: And we're been honored to have you join us for the unity festival.

Duchess Corrinne: But it's time for you to return to your respective railways. Your time for the festival has ended Thomas, Gervase's Lease here in the states is up since they fixed him up to the standards of the S160s that were sent to Hungary and worked on the Hungarian State Railways complete with a firebox to burn oil, oil lubricated axle boxes, a proper air breaking system, and proper water gauge levers instead of that sorry excuse for a screw system. Honesty I don't know what the American's were thinking at the time when they came up with that. At least their S100s and S200s were much more effective and in my opinion were a much bigger help during World War 2.

Gervase sighed having heard this from the Stanier Duchess multiple times but he knew it wasn't his fault and he knew that Corrinne knew it as well. It was how he was built. For fast, easy, and cheap construction not long term service life which explained the numerous issues he and his classmates were plagued with. On the other hand he and his siblings did bring new design features like cabs attached to the boilers, self-cleaning smoke boxes and rocking grates to the railways of the United Kingdom.

Thomas: Duchess Corrinne you're out of line to say such things about Gervase. Even if you do have a point that's still no excuse and you should be a little more tolerant considering the circumstances on how you ended up here.

Duchess Corrinne: Don't give me a lecture on tolerance Thomas. You and the North Western Railway always had the luxury of a Controller that not only prefers steam to diesel but also has a back bone to stand up to anyone that dares to terrorize the railways into submission. Same with Gervase and the Kalos Railway in France. I on the other hand haven't been that fortunate for about a year before I was sent here to the Unova Railway.

Gervase: Duchess Corinne's right Thomas. The Kalos Railway has come under threat from multiple enemies from small time vandals to big time crime kingpins but we were able to beat all of them back including a meddling truck company that finally went out of business after we cleaned house and claimed a lot of the contracts. However our biggest enemies were the Crows and they were so dangers that even the bravest of the fleet were terrified at the time. Our controller at the time had t double security just to stand up to the Crows and their minions. Still the Kalos Controller is not one to give into to anyone.

Thomas: (To Corinne) I'm sorry. I almost forgot what you've been through Corrinne. Considering how you've had to deal with rude diesels and Jen the Pink Controller being under the thumb of Chantal Payne. Still it's good to see you and the Texas Rangers were able to come up with a plan to give the Pink Controller some much needed help.

Duchess Corrinne: Provided that the plan actually works. Remember there is the case of possible retaliation as was the case with Faith at Lemmon Avenue Middle School. Hopefully Sir Steven's Daughter Emily Hatt can step up to the plate if Jen does get selected for the Foreign Exchange Program. And I'm sorry too. It's just I thought you were taking what you have for granted. Remember not everyone is as fortunate as you Thomas.

Before Thomas and Gervase could comment on that Ranger Cordell Walker showed up.

Duchess Corrinne: Ranger Walker. Why exactly are you here?

Walker: I'm here to bring you three news.

Thomas: What news?

Duchess Corrinne: Is this about me cause I know that Thomas and Gervase are heading back to Sodor and France respectively.

Gervase: Well it's gotta be about you Corrinne. You just said why it couldn't be about Thomas or myself.

Duchess Corinne: Good point Gervase. Anyway Walker, did the Unova Railroad's Board of Directors decide what to do with me yet?

Walker: Well you've been the subject of heated discussion. One thing that the Board of Directors from the Unova, Kalos, North Western Railways,the Governor of Sodor and the French and British Prime Ministers agreed upon is you can't return to the United Kingdom just yet.

Duchess Corrinne: I figured as much. Jen still needs to grow more of a spine and she hasn't been in your Kick Drugs out of America Program yet.

Thomas: Not to mention they have yet to find somebody competent and strong willed enough to take Jen's Place as Controller of the Other Railway and find a way to break the railway from the grip of the Crows.

Gervase: And the Kalos Railway seems to be the only other safe haven for Steam engines.

Duchess Corinne: So what did they decide?

Walker: (To Corrinne) Well they voted to send you to the Kalos Railway in France for the time being as their newest engine.

Duchess Corrinne: They did? That makes a lot of sense when you think about it.

Walker: But you're not the only one going there. Thomas you're also needed there.

Thomas: (Confused) Why would the Kalos Railway in France need me for?

Walker: Because one of the shunting engines there needs repairs and a new boiler ticket. The Kalos Controller said that you'd be perfect to fill in for the time being considering the workshops are already working on the boiler but they need you to fill in until it's finished.

Duchess Corinne: Well at least the Kalos Controller is doing his part to keep the fleet maintained.

Gervase: That we agree on but now the question is when do we leave?

Walker: You leave for France in an hour. Your crews already got the message.

Thomas: But does the Fat Controller know about this?

As if to answer Thomas' question, Sir Steven Hatt showed up at that moment.

Sir Steven: Actually Thomas, I was the first one to find out about the situation on the Kalos Railway and I suggested that the Kalos Controller borrow you for a bit.

Thomas: Well at least that's one less concern at any rate. Either way I suppose we better get going. The sooner we leave the sooner we can return to our home.

Corrinne and Gervase agreed as they and Thomas headed to Galveston. Once they arrived they were lifted into the ship that would take them to the Kalos Railway.

Thomas: Well this is it.

Gervase: Guess so.

Duchess Corrinne: I guess we'll be off on new adventures soon enough.

The three engines all had no idea what they were in for as they sailed onwards to France and to the Kalos Railroad.