"So, when did Mr Percival say he'd come, Rusty?" asked Peter Sam worriedly.
"He said sometime this evening after we're gone," Answered the little diesel, nibbling his lower lip thoughtfully. "He said that Sir Topham Hatt's taking him in his new track inspection car..."
"Why are they coming?" Asked Rheneas, confused.
"I think Mr. Bailey said Sir Topham Hatt was wanting to look at where the fire happened," Replied Rusty. "That's all I know, I'm afraid."
"Well, that's just dandy, isn't it?" Asked Sir Handel grumpily. Beside him, Duncan muttered in agreement. But there was very little they could do about it and because they didn't have much information to go on, they all agreed to instil a spy to keep track of happenings in the quarry.
After a quick vote, the last two contenders were Rusty and Skarloey- the former because of his intelligence and cunning; the latter because of his leadership skills and quick thinking. The others had decided to vote who would be the 'spy.'
"Oh botheration- why me, Rheneas?" Skarloey asked his little brother despairingly, when he found out his name had been put forward.
"It's not that bad. You and Rusty are both really good at keeping secrets." Rheneas suggested, but the older engine could hear Rheneas' voice quaver slightly.
"We're all good at keeping secrets, Rheneas- we're doing it right now!" Skarloey pointed out. For the briefest of moments, he thought he saw a flash of pain in his brother's eyes; but it was gone again before he could ask him what was wrong.
"...yes, but...um, well... would you resent me if I said I voted for you to be the spy?" Rheneas asked, quickly changing the subject.
"No, Rheneas, of course not..."
"Phew!"
"I'll get my revenge instead!" he huffed. He watched, fuming at Rheneas' cheek as his best friend raced off, laughing.
"...what was that about, Skarloey?"
Skarloey saw Luke staring at him from the tunnel nearby, and sighed. "Little brothers are a pain in the bunker." He huffed, but he couldn't help grinning instead.
"Now I see why Sir Handel's convinced that you two haven't grown up yet." Luke commented teasingly, "So who's the...spy then?" He asked reluctantly.
"I don't know yet, but Rheneas will suffer if it's me," Skarloey answered; but he didn't really mean it. Not 100% anyway.
"Why him, though? Peter Sam's more than likely to vote for you," Luke answered.
"Well, Rheneas told me he voted for me." Skarloey admitted, sheepishly. "I did say I'm not interested in being a spy!"
"Yes, you and Rheneas definitely do act childish at times." The green engine confirmed in a deadpan. "Don't worry though, Skarloey- I think Rusty will do just fine, even though I don't like the principle of what we're doing..." he muttered.
Skarloey didn't like it either, but he didn't voice his opinion.
...
However it was Rusty that was voted for the BMQ official spy. Luke (reluctantly) Owen, Merrick, Sir Handel and Duncan (willingly) voted for the orange diesel, whilst Rheneas and Peter Sam had voted for Skarloey.
The workmen and crew had no say in the matter. They all agreed that humans just complicated things, or underestimated the importance of their mission, so they were automatically excluded; even Luke's crew, who had his best interests at heart.
"How come he gets to vote- they don't even understand politics!" Grumbled Geoffrey in annoyance, tempted to throw his newspaper down in a huff, before remembering Luke didn't like that. Plus the little engine did try to defend it from Richard...
"You can talk!" Snorted Richard derisively, giving his best friend a glare of contempt. "You don't even care about politics!"
"That's not the point!"
"Shut it, Geoff." Richard answered grumpily, unwilling to argue with his driver any further on the matter.
"So, what will happen now, Rheneas?" Luke asked, ignoring his bickering crew (he had a knack for it- after all, they practically argued on every second matter of conversation) but his friend just looked as baffled as he felt.
"Well, Rusty just keeps an eye for information." He explained. "We're still trying to work on a plan, but at the moment, we're coming up empty."
"Hm," Luke frowned thoughtfully.
Looking at the sick little engine in the tunnel, lost in his thoughts, made Rheneas conclude that the young green tank engine reminded him of a snowdrop- a fragile flower of great beauty, coloured of innocence, but also resilient and steadfast in root, not to be easily done away with.
"But Skarloey reckons that having an engine spend the night here might be a good idea, even though the risks are high- after all, your secret is at stake." Gallant Old Engine added. "I mean, I know your secret's at stake with every passing day; but tonight will be one of the worst times."
"I know, Rheneas." Luke sighed. "And if it must be so, I want you to stay, Rheneas," Luke answered, with great and earnest fervour in his tone, taking the older engine aback with surprise.
"I'm honoured, Luke- but any particular reason why?" asked Rheneas. He watched as Luke blushed.
"I... I have a brother of my own in England- his name's Peter Pan." He began, bashfully. "But I never met him, because I was shipped off to Ireland not long after I was built - I just know of him. But ever since I came here to Sodor, you guys… you guys have all been like brothers to me… and you're the one I trust the most... you're the one I would trust the most in a life or death situation…"
The old engine was touched by this heartfelt confession.
"Well...thank you, Luke. I can assure you, you'll have no reason to ever misplace that trust." He reassured, gently touching Luke's buffers with his own. "And, for the record- you are part of our family, Luke- may God send you every ounce of patience he can, because you'll need it."
Luke grinned at the joke, and Rheneas found himself smiling too- he knew that the family he was in was crazy, quirky and just downright bizarre at times- but the strongest and closest ones often were, anyway. He was glad to be part of it, and he was even more delighted to welcome Luke into it.
"So, are you feeling any better?" He asked quietly, thoughts of Luke's illness and suicidal thoughts crashing his firebox like a tsunami.
Luke's smile wilted away, and he gave Rheneas an odd look which chilled him to the smokebox.
"I...feel, well, not really any different from before," He admitted, truthfully. "But if it's any consolation, Rheneas- I'm glad we've had this time together." He added, with a bashful smile.
"Likewise, my friend," Replied Rheneas kindly, savouring this peaceful moment.
For how long would this last?
