Days had passed without much change. Except for one thing.
Diesel 10, having been coronated and designated the new controller of Sodor, had changed his name to Diesel the Tenth, or Diesel X for short, in an effort to sound more regal in his new position. He rolled into Knapford Station as stiff and stern as a military officer, all diesels waiting for him. Paxton and Norman followed in close pursuit, ready to respond at the toot of their master's horn.
"Everyone stand aside." Diesel X commanded, and a quick flurry of shuffling followed as every diesel got in a straight line.
"Paxton," The ochre diesel said after some pause.
"Yes, sir?"
"To my right."
The naive green diesel eagerly joined his master's right side, beaming proudly.
"Because of your advice and your help," Diesel X began. "I have a high position now. I am finally the new controller of Sodor! But will I wear these honors for only a day or will I enjoy them for a long time?"
"Why, forever of course, sir!" Paxton responded proudly and firmly, as if there was no other answer for such a question.
"Oh, my dear Paxton, now I'm going to test to see if you're truly made of gold." His master replied, with some uncertainty in his tone. "Percy and James are still alive—what do you think I'm going to say next?" He asked instead.
"Go on, Diesel sir."
"Why, Paxton, I want to be controller, yes?"
Paxton was confused. "But, you are controller, sir." He replied, puzzled.
"Pah!" Diesel X snorted. "Am I, my dear Paxton? I guess I am...but Percy and James are still alive." He repeated, this time with more emphasis, hoping Paxton would actually get the hint this time.
"That's true, Diesel sir." Paxton answered awkwardly.
"Oh, how bitter it is that those steamies—the real "true, noble, engines"—should still be alive! Paxton, you didn't used to be so thickheaded." Diesel X stated bluntly, making Paxton wince inwardly.
Diesel X stared at his young companion with a look of contempt. "Shall I put it plainly? I want the engines dead. And I want it done right away."
This made Paxton squirm with discomfort. Percy and James...dead? He couldn't fathom killing engines. And those two were his friends. The other steam engines liked Paxton as well, and killing- oh, that would isolate him to who knows where. He couldn't do this to his friends. Not after Thomas and Edward's...
"What do you say? Speak now and to the point." Diesel X continued curtly, looking elsewhere.
"You can do whatever you want, sir," Paxton answered at last, which only made his master oil impatiently, and he tutted, dissatisfied with Paxton's response.
"You've become rather icy, my dear Paxton," Diesel X oiled ominously. "Your friendliness towards me seems to be...freezing over." He fixed his stern gaze back to Paxton, who continued to shake nervously at the sight.
"Tell me, do I have your consent to scrap them?" The ochre diesel repeated, for what he hoped would be a final time.
Silence. Not even a pin drop could be heard. Paxton exchanged looks with the other diesels around him, who simply stared back worriedly or sternly, waiting for the teal diesel to give a plausible response.
"Um-um...G-give me a little breathing space, Diesel sir, a little time to think. I'll let you know my answer shortly." Paxton spluttered nervously, before speeding out of the station as quickly as his wheels could carry him.
Meanwhile, Norman, Arry, and Bert had seen their friend's mannerisms, and discussed the matter in hushed tones.
"Diesel X is angry," Norman whispered warily. "See, he bites his lip."
"Leave to Paxton to dis himself a hole," Bert muttered.
"I just hope this doesn't come to haunt him later." Arry added cautiously.
Unfortunately, Diesel X hadn't missed Paxton wince at his questions either, and tutted to himself. " I only want to deal with stupid fools and careless engines. I have no use for people who look at me insightfully. Ambitious Paxton grows much too circumspect...Norman!" He called.
"Yes, sir?" Norman replied faithfully, rolling over to his superior.
"Do you any engines who would be willing to be rid of an engine for a profit?" Diesel X questioned impatiently.
Norman thought for a moment, but not an engine came to mind. Except for Diesel X of course.
Wait. There was one engine he had heard about...
"I do know one unhappy engine who has more pride than money, considering his wealthy superiors," Norman answered after a while. "Sure money talks to him, but pride even more so, and would very likely get him to do anything."
"His name?"
"Spencer, my dear sir."
"Ah, the Duke and Duchess's private engine- I know him a bit." Diesel X remembered. He too had heard of Spencer's plan to scrap Hiro the Japanese Engine a few years back. "Go bring him here, Norman."
Norman obeyed, and fled to the Duke and Duchess's summer house to find the sliver engine in question.
"The thoughtful, witty, and naive Paxton will no longer be privy to my innermost thoughts. Has he held out for me for so long and without a moment's doubt only to suddenly need some "breathing room"? Well, so be it." Diesel X muttered to himself, resolving to hatch a plan to be rid of the young engine later.
"Um, sir?" A thick Cockney accent piped up from the back of station.
"Yes, what now, Arry?" The ochre diesel replied, exasperated.
"I've just heard that Mavis has fled to the Mainland, to inform others of the current situation," The yellow and black diesel informed.
Diesel X was tense. How could he forget that Mavis would rat him out? She was always a nice diesel, and so, she was never part of the plan to begin with anyway.
"Arry, Bert!" He called. "Spread the rumor abroad that Lady, is to be sent for scrap. I will make sure she's kept out of view. Get her, and tell her she is to live with me in the Dieselworks! Look at you two standing there in a stupor! I repeat, spread the rumor that Lady, is about to die. Hurry up because it's absolutely crucial that I destroy anything that may damage my position!" He bellowed furiously.
"I must not let anyone get in my way!" He muttered to himself.