A/N: Warnings for swearing. I didn't expect to put this chapter out so soon- I just found some ideas scribbled down in a notepad and worked from there.
What will happen next? Read on...
...
Two days later, the engines were just getting ready to leave the Depot when Caleb Andrews, Rusty's second man, asked "Hey, did you chaps see the headlines?"
"No- haven't had time," Confessed Mr. Henry Georges, who was overseeing his fireman's preparation of Rheneas. "Why?"
In reply, Caleb pulled out a folded newspaper from his overalls and showed them the front page of the Sodor Star:
'BLUE MOUNTAIN MYSTERY AT NEW QUARRY!'
The headlines seemed to scream at them. Underneath the headline were the words 'Narrow Gauge Engine disappears mysteriously after arriving on Sodor. The engine was last seen at the Sodor Steamworks, in Crovan's Gate.'
Duke scoffed. "What nonsense journalists spew out these days!" He fumed. "This would never suit his Grace!"
But Skarloey felt his firebox plummet at hearing the news, recalling the conversation the MPs had with Mr. Percival about Luke's disappearance. "But the only way that could have been found out was the MP visit!" He hissed to Rheneas, who agreed. "And that was two weeks ago! Why is it suddenly relevant now?"
"I don't know, Skarloey." Rheneas answered worriedly. "But this is hitting way too close to home!"
"I agree!" Skarloey whispered back.
"What else does it say?" Rusty asked his second man. "After all, as Mr. Hugh always says, when there are stories, there are sources they trace back to."
"Why, does Mr. Hugh have much experience with newspaper scandals?" Asked Sir Handel sarcastically.
Rusty just gave Sir Handel an annoyed look. "This was from when Spencer was spreading rumours about whether Rheneas actually saved the railway or not."
But Caleb looked relieved at Rusty's nugget of wisdom, "Wise idea, Rusty," he agreed, looking anxious, "I… I was shocked about the headline I never actually read it."
"Well read the damn thing then!" Snapped Richard. "My engine's in danger here!"
"Geoff, cool it," Warned Geoffrey. "What else does it say, Caleb?" He asked.
Caleb skim-read the article until he found a name. "It says that a certain Mr Geoffrey Pound had come forward with the story recently. He said he has heard that something happened at the Docks from a source here on Sodor, and then forwarded the story onto the press."
Of course, the name of the MP was lost on every engine in the shed- except Skarloey and Rheneas. They recognised him as being the man who had grumbled about having to take a train pulled by a steamie, and he had been dreadfully rude and inconsiderate when Skarloey's fire bars broke. They remembered how all the MPs had heard the story about Luke- but Rheneas had a hunch he knew why Mr. Pound had said those things to the press.
"Skarloey," he whispered to his older sibling, who was suddenly attentive.
"Yes, Rheneas?"
"I'll bet you my left buffer that Mr. Pound blabbed to the press to get us negative attention. After all, railways never look competent when they reveal one of their fleet's missing- especially one that's just arrived, too."
"I think you're right there, Rheneas." Skarloey replied quietly. Of course, Rheneas's perception was both a gift and a curse. In this case, he felt it to be more of a curse. "Now what are we going to do?"
Rheneas had no answer- neither of the two Little Old Engines had any idea how they could save Luke from something out with their control.
...
"Hey, Luke old boy, you've made headlines!" Geoffrey said excitedly, showing Luke the newspapers. "We're driving a star, Richard!" He was trying to make a joke out of the situation, as was his response to dire situations.
"Stop it, mate, or I'll bloody cuff you," Snapped Richard, snatching the newspaper back from his friend- or tried to, anyway. The pages just tore out of Geoffrey's hands and fluttered towards the tunnel floor- which made Luke squeak in alarm.
Geoffrey chuckled. He found it amusing that Luke hated mess- specifically, clutter and untidiness. Geoffrey was just glad that Luke hadn't met his kids- who were very messy children indeed! However, he didn't want Luke to remain freaking out, so he just patted his engine's buffer and said reassuringly, "I'll pick it up," stooping to scoop up newspaper pages from the dusty tunnel floor.
"How dare that smug Pound make our Luke into headlines?" Richard growled, punching the page.
"Mr. Wilson, that's no way to treat Mr. Heron's paper!" Luke said, horrified, causing Geoff to snigger behind a fist.
"Alright, mate you better calm down," Geoffrey decided at last, snatching the paper back- just as Richard's phone rang.
"You better get that, Mr. Wilson," Luke supplied innocently. Richard just muttered a curse at his phone and held it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Oh, Richard! It's Silas. Did you hear about Luke?"
"Yes I bloody heard!" Richard snapped
"Whoa, language! You're in Luke's presence, stop cursing in front of the poor kid! He probably worried enough as it is!" Geoffrey protested. Richard ignored his friend, as usual, and paid attention to the phone call, his fists clenching and unclenching.
"Who else knows?"
"Well, everyone- the rest of the workmen, all the stationmasters and Mrs. Branch- even Mr Percival read the paper and..." the rest of the phone call not only shocked Richard to the core; but it resulted in Geoffrey attempting to tackle his friend for daring to say the next few words.
But, in all honesty, Geoffrey didn't mind his friend swearing- he swore himself- but he didn't want Luke to repeat their foul language, and if he did, Richard would be dead meat for destroying what was left of Luke's innocence.
"Alright, I'll tell them. Thanks- bye." He hung up, and glanced at the other two seriously- at Geoffrey's livid face and Luke's pale one.
"Mr Percival's coming here to the quarry tonight, with Sir Topham Hatt- and his new track inspection car."
Geoffrey, forgetting his honourable vow, swore loudly.
