Rosie And The Astrotrain
A.N. This story was based off of an installment in a series of roleplay scenarios on Discord done mostly by BigMoose01 by himself about the International Engines introduced in The Great Race, but the installment in question was one I was involved in. I figured this would be good inspiration for the story, and Moose agreed. One thing led to another, and here we are with my second Transformers crossover story and my first oneshot crossover story. So, with that out of the way, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
One night at Brendam Docks, a space shuttle flew in and landed on the tracks. The shuttle then shifted its body into a hulking robot figure, who then reached to the side of its head and pressed on something.
"I'm here, Lord Megatron." the robot said.
"Excellent, Astrotrain." a voice said over some kind of radio system. "Assume your cover and report to me when you have begun your task."
"I will, Lord Megatron." Astrotrain nodded.
Astrotrain then ended his call and let out an evil chuckle.
"They have no idea that's in store for them." he said.
The next morning, it was an unsurprisingly busy day, with Cranky, Carly, and Big Mickey loading and unloading loads from ships coming to and from the Docks. Porter and Salty were hurrying about putting other engines' goods trains of said loads together. However, as he was about to lower a load of steel pipes onto a flatbed for a goods train, he spotted something strange, and quickly made this known to Salty and Porter.
"Hey, fellas!" he called out. "What do you suppose that is?"
Cranky gestured with his crane arm at what looked like a purple and gray faceless JNR Class D51 2-8-2 locomotive, only it lacked a tender, and on its rear was what appeared to be a rocket booster. On the engine's smoke deflectors was a strange face-like icon that had pointy edges. Although they didn't know it at the time, the engine was in fact Astrotrain, who was in his second alternate mode, a steam locomotive, as he was a Triple Changer belonging to a villainous faction of shapeshifting robots called "Decepticons", led by an individual by the name of Megatron. Porter, Salty, and the cranes eyed the newcomer curiously.
"How strange." said Porter. "This engine wasn't here last night."
"Where do you think it came from?" asked Carly.
"Beats me, honestly." replied Big Mickey.
"Hey!" Astrotrain barked. "I do have a name, you know!"
The two engines and three cranes were caught completely off guard.
"Well, blow me down!" gasped Salty. "It-err...I mean-he speaks!"
"What's your name?" asked Porter.
"Takuro." Astrotrain replied. "I was sent here for a trial run."
"If that's the case, then why didn't Sir Topham Hatt tell us?" asked Porter.
"Tell you what?" another voice chimed in.
At that moment, Sir Topham Hatt arrived, flanked by his two assistants. Salty quickly told Sir Topham Hatt about the new engine, and Sir Topham Hatt himself was baffled.
"That's bizarre." he said. "I don't remember arranging for an engine to come here for a trial. What's your controller's name?"
"His name is Tronn." Astrotrain replied. "Mike A. Tronn. Also, he did tell me he sent you an email about it before I left."
"I see." said Sir Topham Hatt. "Well, like I said, I don't recall ever being contacted by Mr. Tronn about these arrangements. In fact, I don't think I ever heard that name before. Tell me, Takuro, where is your original railway located?"
"Uhhh...California." said Astrotrain, obviously lying. "It's on California."
"Uh-huh..." nodded Sir Topham Hatt suspiciously.
At that moment, Megatron contacted Astrotrain again on his comm.
"Have you begun your task yet?" he asked.
"Not yet." replied Astrotrain. "I have established contact with the locals, though."
"Mr. Mike A. Tronn, I presume?" Sir Topham Hatt interjected.
"That's me." said Megatron, acting on his alias. "Are you Sir Topham Hatt?"
"Yes." nodded Sir Topham Hatt. "Your engine, Takuro, claims he was sent to my railway for a trial run."
"He was indeed." said Megatron. "I thought I sent you an email about his arrival well in advance."
"Then how come I never received it?" Sir Topham Hatt asked.
"Maybe there was a breakdown in communication." replied Megatron.
"That's possible." shrugged Sir Topham Hatt. "But in any case, since you did give me your confirmation, I suppose I can green-light Takuro's trial."
"Excellent." said a satisfied Megatron. "I can promise you, Sir Topham, Takuro is a very hard worker."
"I'll take your word for it." said Sir Topham Hatt.
"Good." Megatron replied. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some other things to take care of presently. Farewell."
Megatron then ended his call. Sir Topham Hatt then looked at Astrotrain.
"Well, Takuro, welcome to the North Western Railway." he smiled. "Mind your manners and perhaps I'll let you stay."
Just then, a high-pitched whistle sounded, and Rosie puffed onto the scene.
"Hi, Rosie." Porter greeted as he brought over a flatbed containing crates of different sizes. "Perfect timing. Your load of parts for the Steam Works is right here."
"Thanks, Porter." whistled Rosie, who then noticed Astrotrain. "Who's this?"
"This, Rosie, is Takuro." said Sir Topham Hatt. "He's a new engine here on a trial run. I'd like you to show him around."
"Yes, sir." said Rosie as she was coupled up to her flatbed. "Follow me, Takuro."
And Rosie steamed off, followed by Astrotrain. As he watched the two engines leave, Porter's face became overcast in suspicion. Salty noticed this.
"What be on your mind, me heartie?" he asked.
"It's about Takuro." replied Porter. "Something about our newcomer doesn't add up."
"I agree." Sir Topham Hatt nodded in agreement. "His model suggest he's from Japan, but his voice sounds very much American."
"Not to mention he doesn't have a tender." Porter added. "Where do you think he keeps his coal?"
"Perhaps he be an oil burner." Salty suggested.
"Maybe." said Porter. "Still, something tells me that we shouldn't be too careful around him."
"You're absolutely right, Porter." said Sir Topham Hatt. "Now, I believe you two still have work to do. These coming goods trains won't ready themselves."
"Oh, yes, sir." Porter replied.
Meanwhile, Rosie and Takuro had arrived at the Steam Works.
"The first stop on our tour is the Sodor Steam Works." Rosie said. "This is where we steam engines go for repairs and maintence. Our friend Victor always knows what to do and how to do it when it comes to repairs."
Rosie then spotted Victor on the other side of the Steam Works and whistled to get his attention.
"I brought your parts, Victor!" she called.
"Thank you, Rosie, my friend." Victor smiled. "Just leave your flatbed here and I'll have the boys unload it."
"Right." peeped Rosie. "By the way, Victor, this is Takuro. He's here for a trial run."
"Ah." said Victor. "Hello, Takuro. Welcome to the Sodor Steam Works."
"Pretty nice setup." said Astrotrain.
"Thank you for saying so." replied Victor. "We strive to maintain a-."
But Victor was interrupted by a loud crash. He then scowled, as if he knew what had caused it.
"Kevin..." he groaned.
Sure enough, the source of the crash was Victor's crane assitant, Kevin, who was laying on his side with one of his front wheels still spinning. A wooden palette was on the floor beside him, and spilled cans of paint that used to be on said palette had splattered all over the place.
"Sorry, boss!" Kevin said meekly.
Astrotrain thought this was very amusing, and he laughed with great delight at Kevin's predicament.
"What a klutz!" he chortled.
But neither Rosie, Victor, nor Kevin thought this was funny.
"Stop laughing at me!" snapped Kevin. "It's not funny!"
"It is to me." snickered Astrotrain.
Kevin just rolled his eyes.
"I think we should leave now." said Rosie. "There's still so much for you to see."
"Okay then." said Astrotrain.
After saying their good-byes to Victor and Kevin, Rosie and Astrotrain left the Steam Works, and Rosie showed Astrotrain many of the other sights of Sodor, from Knapford Station to Shen Valley to Norramby Beach to Bluff's Cove to Henry's Forest.
"Boy, there sure are a lot of sights to see on this here island." said Astrotrain.
"Indeed there are." agreed Rosie.
"So, where are we going next?" Astrotrain asked.
"To the Ffarquhar Branch Line." Rosie replied.
As the two continued on their way, they passed by Percy, who was pulling a trio of mail cars.
"There goes Percy, pulling the mail train." said Rosie. "Pulling the mail train is Percy's favorite job."
Rosie and Astrotrain whistled to Percy, and he whistled back. Soon, the two engines arrived at Knapford Yards.
"This is Knapford Yards." said Rosie. "This is where we get our coaches and freight cars that we need for whatever type of train we have to pull. On the Ffarquhar Branch, I mainly work as a shunter, but I do pull my own trains every now and then."
"Cool, cool." said Astrotrain. "Say, I've got a question for you. Do you have any kind of boxcars or anything of that sort."
"Why, yes, we do." said Rosie. "We've got LNER 12 ton vans, utility vans, salt wagons, cattle cars, Lynton & Barnstaple Railway vans, and many others of that sort."
"I see." said Astrotrain.
"Is there a reason you asked?" Rosie then asked.
"Oh, no reason." said Astrotrain. "Just curious, I guess."
"Okay then." said Rosie. "Anyway, shall we continue with the tour?"
"Might as well." said Astrotrain.
With that said, Rosie and Astrotrain left and begin making their way to what would be the final stop of the tour; back at Brendam Docks, but on the way, Rosie saw a red signal, and she applied her brakes.
"Hey, why'd you stop?" asked Astrotrain.
"Because the signal ahead is red." Rosie replied. "Can't you see it?"
"How can I see anything when I don't have a face?" Astrotrain retorted. "But, if you insist..."
Astrotrain then applied his brakes and stopped just behind Rosie. Just as he was coming to a complete stop, a low-pitched whistle sounded.
"Out of the way!" a voice boomed. "Express coming through!"
At that moment, Gordon thundered by pulling the Express.
"Whoa!" gasped Astrotrain. "Who was that?"
"That was Gordon." said Rosie. "He pulls the Express with another engine named Rebecca."
"Cool." said Astrotrain.
The signal then turned green, and Rosie and Astrotrain went on their way again. As they continued on, Astrotrain thought of something else to ask Rosie.
"Hey, Rosie, I've got another question for you." he said. "Are there any good hiding places on this railway?"
"Um...no. At least, not that I know of as of now." Rosie replied. "Are you just curious about that, too? Or is there actually a reason why you asked that?"
"Like I told you before, only curious." said Astrotrain.
"Right..." said Rosie.
But Rosie had the feeling Astrotrain was not telling the truth.
"First he asks me about boxcars and the like, and now he asks me about hiding places." Rosie pondered to herself. "What is up with this guy?"
Soon, they arrived back at Brendam Docks, where things were things had slowed down a little, largely in part due to most of the workers, including Salty and Porter's crews, as well as Cranky, Carly, and Big Mickey's operators, were on their lunch break.
"And here we are back at Brendam Docks." said Rosie. "As you may have figured it out by now, this is where Cranky, Carly, and Big Mickey load and unload different types of cargo from ships coming to the island and to other places like the Mainland. Occasionally, cruise ships and oceangoing ferries arrive carrying passengers from outside the island."
But Astrotrain wasn't paying attention. At least, not to Rosie. But he was fixated on a large shed in the vicinity.
"That looks like a great hiding place." he said to himself.
Rosie noticed that Astrotrain wasn't paying attention, and she blew her whistle to snap him out of it.
"What happened?" gasped Astrotrain.
"Didn't you hear what I said?" Rosie replied.
"Huh?" Astrotrain asked before suddenly remembering. "Oh, yeah. The docks. Very busy."
Just then, another whistle was heard behind Astrotrain.
"Excuse me." said a voice. "Can you please move?"
The voice belonged to Duck, who had just arrived at the Docks with a train of goods that was to be shipped to the Mainland.
"Why should I move?" Astrotrain asked rudely.
"Because I'm trying to get this goods train delivered." Duck replied. "And you're blocking the track."
"Then use another track, genius!" Astrotrain snapped.
Duck was appalled at this behavior.
"Listen here, you." he said sternly. "That is not the Great Western Way to speak to other engines like that, especially to one who very politely asked you to move. Plus, I'm not near any points, so be a good engine and kindly move out of my way.
"Ugh, fine." Astrotrain groaned.
Astrotrain and Rosie then moved to another track.
"There, we moved." said Astrotrain. "Happy now?"
"Well, I am happy you finally moved." replied Duck. "But I'm not happy about your attitude."
"Yeah, Takuro, that's not very nice." added Rosie.
"Whatever." said Astrotrain with a roll of his eyes.
Just then, Rosie remembered something.
"Hey, I gotta go." she said. "I have to get a goods train together for Toby. See you later, Takuro."
And with that, Rosie left the Docks as the dock manager came over to Astrotrain.
"Sir Topham Hatt wants to see you at Knapford Station." he said.
"On my way." said Astrotrain.
Astrotrain then left, and soon made it to Knapford station, where Sir Topham Hatt was waiting outside his office.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked.
"Yes." nodded Sir Topham Hatt. "There are some passengers on Platform Five waiting for a train to Vicarstown. Rebecca is supposed to take them, but she is tied up with some goods work at the moment. Can you take it for her?"
"Sure." said Astrotrain.
"That's a good engine." smiled Sir Topham Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt then went back inside his office, and Astrotrain made his way over to Platform Five. Just as he did, he decided to call Megatron on his comm.
"What do you have to report?" Megatron asked.
"I just wanted to give you an update about when I'll be carrying out my real task." Astrotrain replied. "I might do it at night. That way, nobody will get suspicious."
"As long as you accomplish your task at all, it makes no difference to me." said Megatron. "I will be awaiting further updates."
"Of course, sir." said Astrotrain.
Astrotrain then ended his call as Philip the boxcab diesel arrived pushing two red express coaches.
"Here are your coaches." said Philip.
"Thanks." said Astrotrain.
Astrotrain then backed towards the coaches. However, he did it so quickly that he ended up bumping them. Philip was shocked as he witnessed this.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" he gasped. "What do you think you're doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing, stupid?" Astrotrain retorted. "I'm getting my coaches!"
"But you're not supposed to bump them like that!" Philip said in an annoyed tone. "Edward told me that coaches like to be treated much more gently than freight cars."
"Oh, alright." groaned Astrotrain. "See, I'm mainly used for goods work on my native railway, so I'm not used to pulling coaches."
"I understand." said Philip. "Just try to remember that for the future, okay?"
"Yeah, sure." replied Astrotrain. "Whatever you say."
Just then, the conductor blew his whistle and waved his green flag, signaling to Astrotrain that all his passengers had boarded the coaches and he was now clear for departure.
"Looks like that's my cue." said Astrotrain. "See you later."
Astrotrain then blew his whistle and zipped out of the station at an alarming speed, which Philip noticed.
"Oh, dear." he said. "That's going to lead to trouble."
Meanwhile, Astrotrain was making his way to Vicarstown as fast as his wheels could carry him.
"Hey, this isn't so bad." he said as he thundered down the track. "I'll get this job done in no time."
But while Astrotrain was enjoying himself, the passengers were having a terrible time. As a result of Astrotrain's excessive speed, the ride was very bumpy for them. Their luggage fell from the luggage racks, their drinks spilled, and their snacks flew all over the place. They soon arrived at Vicarstown Station, and Astrotrain pulled up to Platform One.
"Alright, we're here!" he announced. "Everybody off!"
The passengers disembarked from the coaches, and they were all very angry at Astrotrain.
"This is the worst railway I've ever been on!" one snapped.
"I'll say." said a second. "I spilled a perfectly good cup of coffee all over my brand-new jogging pants!"
"You were going so fast my son got motion sickness!" a third hollered.
"Oh, quit your bellyaching!" Astrotrain retorted. "You should just be happy I even got you here at all!"
"And what a very bad engine, too." a fourth passenger than said.
"My husband is a lawyer!" said a fifth passenger. "He'll definitely be suing the pants off your controller for this!"
"Boooooooo!" moaned a sixth.
"This railway stinks!" a seventh growled.
Astrotrain angrily watched as all the passengers paraded off the platform.
"Yeesh, if all passengers are like this, what's the point of even doing passenger services?" he thought out loud to himself. "Ungrateful, that's what it is!"
Just then, Nia pulled up to Platform Three with a train of goods for some of the shops at the station. She had heard the commotion between Astrotrain and his passengers and was not pleased at all about it.
"Goodness, what an outrage." she said.
"What's it to you?" Astrotrain snorted. "It's not my fault I'm not as used to pulling passenger trains as I am goods trains back home."
"Did you even try to do a good job?" Nia asked.
"You bet I did." replied Astrotrain. "I got them here in record time. What's wrong with that?"
"Well, I think you may have done too good of a job with that." Nia pointed out. "I mean, none of your passengers seemed to happy about your service. I think I even heard some say what a bad railway this is."
"So what?" huffed Astrotrain. "Haters gonna hate. Anyway, I think I'm gonna go rest now."
And Astrotrain set off as Nia watched on.
"Sir Topham Hatt is sure not going to like this." she said.
Nia then asked her driver to call Sir Topham Hatt. Meanwhile, Takuro was resting in a siding, still grumbling about his passengers.
"The nerve of some people." he complained. "Why do people have to be so ungrateful these days?"
Just then, Sir Topham Hatt arrived onboard Rebecca. He stepped down from her cab and approached Astrotrain. He was very cross indeed.
"Aw, nuts..." said Astrotrain.
Sir Topham Hatt then began scolding Astrotrain.
"Takuro, you're a very naughty engine." he said. "I heard that you gave your passengers a very rough ride here."
"Sorry, sir." said Astrotrain. "Still getting the hang of things. Plus, like I was telling that orange engine, I was just trying to get my passengers to their destination in good time. No harm in that, right?"
"True." nodded Sir Topham Hatt. "However, passengers do not like to be jostled around when being taking to and from their destinations. And on top of that, I also heard you were very rude to the passengers as well."
"So what if I was?" Astrotrain scoffed. "It's not my fault they were being ungrateful. They should've just been pleased that I was even able to get them here when what's-her-face wasn't able to."
"Well, you can't speak to the passengers so horribly." Sir Topham Hatt replied. "I will not have this sort of behavior at all. Do you want to be sent back to where you came from?"
"No." scoffed Astrotrain.
"Then please behave yourself." said Sir Topham Hatt. "I expect my engines to be respectful. And if I hear about you misbehaving like this one more time, I will send you back without a second thought. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir." Astrotrain mumbled.
"Good." said Sir Topham Hatt. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to at the moment."
Sir Topham Hatt got into his car and drove away, and Astrotrain looked over at Nia, who was taking on water. He growled with indignation as his non-existent eyes gazed upon her.
"I'll get even with her for ratting me out like this!" he decided. "But how should I do it?"
Just then, he had an idea.
"I know just what to do." he said.
That night, while all the other engines were sleeping, Astrotrain set about carrying out his plan. After obtaining a utility van from Knapford Yards, as well as snatching a sleeping Nia from Welsworth Sheds, he set off for the coaling plant. He soon arrived, and put Nia in between two lines of 7-plank trucks filled with coal. He then gathered his van and left.
"Boy, will she be in for a big surprise tomorrow." he sneered.
However, what Astrotrain didn't know was that back in her berth at Ffarquhar Sheds, while Thomas, Percy, and Toby were sleeping like logs, Rosie was only half-asleep, as she had a thought racing around her smoke-box like Connor and Caitlin. She and the other Ffarquhar Branch engines had heard about the incident with Astrotrain and his passengers from Rebecca, who in turn had been told by Nia while Sir Topham Hatt was dealing with Astrotrain.
"Why was Takuro so rude to everyone today?" Rosie quietly asked herself out loud. "And why did he really ask me those things about rolling stock and hiding places? Something about him just doesn't add up. Oh, well. Maybe he'll be a better engine tomorrow."
And with that, Rosie finally drifted off to sleep, though she was still unaware of what lay ahead. Meanwhile, when Nia woke up the next morning at the coaling plant, she was very surprised to see where she had been moved to.
"How did I get here?" she gasped.
Just then, she heard a whistle, and recognized it immediately.
"Oh no!" she gasped. "James!"
Sure enough, there was James, backing into a line of coal trucks. As he did, he unknowingly bumped into Nia and caused her to be moved onto the tipper's loading ramp. Soon, Nia felt herself being raised up the ramp and tipped over. As a result, all the coal was dumped out of her coal bunker. She was then lowered down.
"Dear me." she said once she was back on the ground. "I sure hope nobody saw what just happened."
Unfortunately, someone did see this, and that someone was Sir Topham Hatt, who had heard about the incident from James' driver, and he was cross.
"Nia, I'm surprised at you." he said. "You know very well that engines are not allowed on the tipper."
"With all due respect, sir, it really wasn't my fault." said Nia.
"She's right, sir." said James. "It's mine. I was the one who pushed her onto the ramp. I didn't know she was there, though. I'm really sorry. It was an accident."
"I appreciate you owning up, James." said Sir Topham Hatt. "And I accept your apology."
Sir Topham Hatt then turned back to Nia.
"Now then, Nia, how did you end up here?" he asked.
"I don't know, sir." said Nia. "One minute I'm sleeping in my shed next to Philip, the next I'm here!"
Unknown to either Nia, James, nor Sir Topham Hatt, Astrotrain was watching the whole thing from the other side of the plant. Although he lacked a face, he was satisfied with what he was seeing.
"I've got her now!" he sneered.
On the other side, Sir Topham Hatt continued to scold Nia.
"While I suppose I can buy the fact that you didn't sleep here overnight, how do you explain how you were able to get here while you were supposed to be sleeping in your shed?" he asked. "It just doesn't make sense."
"Like I said beofre, sir, I don't know!" said Nia.
"Well, whatever the case may be, you still broke the rules." said Sir Topham Hatt. "Therefore, you will shunt the other engines' trains until further notice."
Nia sighed.
"Yes, sir." she wheeshed.
Nia then chuffed sadly away. Astrotrain noticed this and puffed right up beside her.
"Hey there." he said. "Nia, right?"
"What do you want?" Nia replied.
"Hey, I just wanted to ask why you're so down in the dumps, that's all." Astrotrain explained.
"I just got intro trouble with Sir Topham Hatt for something that wasn't my fault." sighed Nia.
"You mean the coal tipper thing, right?" asked Astrotrain. "Yeah, it is pretty strange how you got up there."
"You're telling me." huffed Nia. "Why do you even care about it, anyway?"
"I just do, okay?" Astrotrain said. "So the least you can do is say "thank you"."
"Don't count on it." Nia replied. "I still don't trust you after the way you treated those poor passengers yesterday."
"Whatever you say." said Astrotrain. "Well, I better go see what Sir Topham Hatt has for me today in terms of jobs."
And with that, Astrotrain left Nia and went over to Sir Topham Hatt.
"Good morning, sir." he said.
"Good morning, Takuro." Sir Topham Hatt replied. "I take it you came to see what jobs I have for you?"
"Yep." said Astrotrain. "So, what's on the agenda for me today?"
"I'd like you to take a goods train of materials to the Sodor Construction Company's supply yard." said Sir Topham Hatt.
"Yes, sir." said Astrotrain. "It will be done."
"Excellent." smiled Sir Topham Hatt. "While you're doing that, I must speak with the police."
Astrotrain pretended to be surprised.
"The police?" he asked. "What for?"
"There was a string of thefts last night." Sir Topham Hatt replied. "First, a utility van was stolen from Knapford Yards, then two flatbeds of fuel drums meant for Mavis to take to Ffarquhar Quarry were stolen from the Sodor Fuel Depot, as was the backup generator."
"Wow." said Astrotrain, still pretending to be surprised. "I sure hope they catch the thief and recover the stolen goods."
"As do I." agreed Sir Topham Hatt. "Well, I believe you still have some work to do."
"Yes, sir." said Astrotrain. "Right away, sir."
With that, Astrotrain left, and soon arrived at Knapford Yards, where Nia was putting together his train.
"Oh, hey." said Astrotrain. "It's you again."
"So it is." replied Nia. "I'm just about done putting your train together."
"Alright." said Astrotrain.
Soon, the train was ready, and as Astrotrain was being coupled up to the front, Rosie's whistle was heard, and Rosie puffed up next to Astrotrain.
"Rosie?" Astrotrain asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"A little bird told me about your incident with that passenger train last night." said Rosie.
"Oh, yeah, that." said Astrotrain. "I guess Sir Topham Hatt wanted to make sure it doesn't happen again with this goods train?"
"Yes." said Rosie. "He wanted me to go along with you to keep an eye on you."
"Okay, then." said Astrotrain. "Couple up and let's get going."
And so, Rosie was couple up to the back of the train and the two engines set off. On the way, Astrotrain filled Rosie in on what Sir Topham Hatt had told him.
"Wow." gasped Rosie. "That's so strange. Who'd want to steal those things?"
"Beats me." said Astrotrain. "Sir Topham Hatt is just as baffled as you are."
"Well, until the police catch the crooks responsible, we'll have to be on our guard." said Rosie. "I mean, who knows what they might steal next. Heck, they might be after the stuff on this very train."
"Yeah, I guess they might." agreed Astrotrain.
But then, Rosie thought of something.
"Say, Takuro, something occured to me just now." she said.
"What is it?" asked Astrotrain.
"Sir Topham Hatt said a utility van was stolen, right?" she replied.
"That's right." said Astrotrain. "Go on."
"Well, I remember you asking me about that type of rolling stock, as well as hiding places on this island." Rosie went on. "If you ask me, this is in no way a coincidence."
It wasn't too hard for Astrotrain to get the picture Rosie was trying to paint.
"Are you saying that you think I'm the thief?" he asked.
"To be fair, I don't need to remind you about how you treated those passengers yesterday." said Rosie. "And the way you were being rude to Duck sure has gotten my gears turning."
"Well, there's no proof I ever did anything wrong." Astrotrain pointed out. "Also, my bad attitude towards those ungratefully stupid passengers has nothing to do with it. Plus, do I look like a bad guy?"
"Now that you mention it, you are unlike any engine I've ever seen before." said Rosie. "Plus, the reveal of your true colors is making you a pretty suspicious character. Oh, by the way, how come you don't have a tender? And what's that on your back?"
"A. I'm an oil burner." said Astrotrain. "B. It's a rocket booster that is all just for show and nothing else."
"Uh-huh..." said Rosie. "Also, what about that funny pointy face thing on your smoke deflectors?"
"That's just the logo for my old railway back home." said Astrotrain. "And why are you asking me these questions, anyway? You don't really think I did it, do you?"
"Well, like I said, you're not any type of engine I've seen before." said Rosie. "In fact, I don't even think you're a real engine at all."
At that remark, Astrotrain fired a huge cloud of steam from his funnel in anger.
"What did you just say?!" he snarled.
"I said I don't even think you're a real engine." replied Rosie calmly. "Simple as that."
"Of course I am a real engine!" Astrotrain hollered. "I just said I'm an oil burner!"
"If that's the case, then where's your oil tank?" Rosie asked.
It was at this point that Astrotrain finally lost his patience.
"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" he yelled. "NOW SHUT UP AND KEEP MOVING, YOU USELESS RED FRECKLED-FACE PUFFBALL!"
Rosie felt insulted, and she immediately decided she had had enough.
"That's it!" she cried.
Rosie then slammed on her brakes. Astrotrain noticed this and applied his brakes. Soon, the train came to a complete stop.
"Now what?!" he growled. "We're gonna be late!"
"I'm not going anywhere with someone like you!" Rosie said in a slightly choky voice. "Take this dumb train by yourself!"
"Fine! I will!" Astrotrain retorted as Rosie's driver uncoupled her from the train.
Once Rosie was uncoupled from the train, the two engines went their seperate ways, with Astrotrain continuing on towards the supply yard and Rosie going back to Ffarquhar Sheds. When she arrived, she slowly reversed into her berth and gazed sadly at her bufferbeam. Her eyes began to fill with tears, and she soon began to cry.
"Why did he have to be so mean?" Rosie sobbed.
By this point, Thomas was returning from a passenger run with his two coaches, Annie and Clarabel, and heard Rosie crying.
"Uh-oh." said Thomas. "I don't like the sound of that."
"Neither do we." Annie and Clarabel chorused.
"I better go see what's going on." said Thomas.
Thomas then proceeded to put Annie and Clarabel in a siding just as Percy was coming back from a goods run.
"Your timing couldn't have any better." said Thomas.
"Really?" peeped Percy. "How come?"
It was then that Percy heard Rosie crying. Together, the two engines joined Rosie in the sheds.
"Rosie?" Thomas asked.
"What's the matter?" Percy added.
"It's Takuro." sniffed Rosie. "He was very horrid to me just now."
Rosie then tearfully explained what had transpired between her and Astrotrain to Thomas and Percy. As Thomas and Percy listened to her story, they became angered.
"Who does that guy think he is talking to our friend like that?!" Percy snapped.
"I know right?!" growled Thomas.
Just then, something dawned on Thomas.
"Rosie, I need to ask you a very important question." he said. "Did Takuro have something like this on him?"
Thomas then showed Rosie a picture of the Decepticon insignia, and Rosie readily identified it as the strange symbol Astrotrain had claimed to be the logo of his old railway. Upon hearing this, Thomas and Percy shared a look of horror.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Percy?" Thomas asked.
"I wish I wasn't." said Percy. "But, yes, I am! Who would have thought something like this would happen?"
"Something like what?" Rosie asked.
"Yes, like what?" Annie chimed in.
"We can hear you too, you know." added Clarabel.
"Then you'll be just as shocked to hear this as Rosie." said Thomas. "Rosie, you were right to say that "Takuro" wasn't a real engine."
"What do you mean?" asked Rosie. "You mean he really is a phony?"
"Even worse." replied Thomas. "He's a Decepticon!"
Rosie, Annie, and Clarabel gasped.
"A Decepticon?!" gasped Rosie. "Here on Sodor?!"
"How awful!" moaned Annie.
"But how exactly do you know that, Thomas?" Clarabel asked.
"Percy and I have been watching the old Transformers cartoon from the Eighties." Thomas explained. "But that's besides the point. This "Takuro", like I said before, is really a Decepticon!"
"Yeah, and his real name isn't "Takuro"!" added Percy. "His real name is "Astrotrain"!"
"He's a Decepticon Triple Changer!" finished Thomas.
"That would explain why he doesn't have a face." said Rosie. "And it would also explain that rocket booster on his back. Oh, I've been so stupid!"
"Hey, don't beat yourself up about it, Rosie." smiled Thomas. "You didn't know, but now you do."
"And knowing is half the battle!" Percy grinned.
Well, Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, and even Rosie had to laugh at that.
"All joking aside, this is serious business." Thomas then said with a frown. "We must tell Sir Topham Hatt about this right now!"
"We're right behind you!" said Percy.
And so, after returning Annie and Clarabel to their shed at Knapford Station Yard, the three tank engines set off to find Sir Topham Hatt. They didn't need to look very far, because at that moment, Sir Topham Hatt was just coming out of his office at Knapford Station, and was surprised when they flew right into the station.
"Sir! Sir!" Thomas peeped.
"What is it, Thomas?" Sir Topham Hatt asked.
"We need to talk to you." said Thomas. "It's about Takuro."
"Funny you should mention him, because while I was on my lunch break, I got a call from the police." said Sir Topham Hatt. "And I just got off the phone with the yard manager at the Sodor Construction Company supply yard asking him to send Takuro here, because I want him to hear what the police had to say."
"While we're waiting for him, there's something about Takuro you have to know." said Percy.
"Go on." said Sir Topham Hatt. "I'm listening."
Thomas wasted no time in telling Sir Topham Hatt about Takuro's real identity. Sir Topham Hatt snapped his fingers in exasperation.
"I should've known right away." he said. "I knew there was more to Takuro, but I just couldn't put my finger on it."
Just then, Astrotrain steamed into the station.
"I'm here, sir." Astrotrain said. "What's up?
But then, Astrotrain saw that Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas, Percy, and Rosie were all scowling at him.
"Is...something wrong?" he quipped.
"Not too long ago, I got a phone call from the police." said Sir Topham Hatt. "They've identified the thief who stole those missing goods and rolling stock."
"Well, that's great." said Astrotrain. "Who is it?"
"I'm looking at him." replied Sir Topham Hatt as he crossed his arms.
Astrotrain immediately caught on.
"How...how do you know it was me?!" he gasped.
"The night watchman at the fuel depot came forward and said he saw you coming into the depot and making off with the stolen fuel and the backup generator." Sir Topham Hatt explain. "As did the one at Knapford Yards. Both those locations have state-of-the-art surveillance cameras installed on the property, and the police compared the footage, which was in color, with a description of you given by one of your passengers from yesterday, and it was a perfect match. Also, one of the workmen at the coaling plant saw you push Nia in between those two lines of coal cars at the tipper as he was clocking out for the night. This was confirmed by footage from the coaling plant catching you in the act."
"So, what do you have to say to all that, Takuro?" Thomas then asked. "Or, should I say...Astrotrain?"
Astrotrain fell frightfully silent at this information. Finally, he called Megatron on his comm.
"Lord Megatron!" he hollered. "My cover's been blown!"
"Get out of there, Astrotrain!" Megatron barked. "Now!"
"Yes, Lord Megatron!" said Astrotrain. "I'll grab the goods and be on my way!"
Astrotrain then quickly steamed away.
"He's getting away!" shouted Percy.
"Quick! After him!" said Thomas. "Sir, call the Search and Rescue Center! Have then send Harold!"
Sir Topham Hatt nodded and went back inside his office as Thomas, Percy, and Rosie took off after Astrotrain. It wasn't long before they could see Harold the helicopter high in the skies.
"You got a fix on him, Harold?" Thomas asked.
"Not yet." said Harold.
But soon, Harold spotted Astrotrain heading to Brendam Docks, and relaid this information to the three pursuing tank engines.
"Thanks, Harold!" Percy called.
"No problemo!" Harold replied.
Meanwhile, Astrotrain continued to race down the line to get away from his pursuers.
"I've got to lose them!" he said. "But how?"
But then there was trouble. Astrotrain was too busy trying to get away from the three tank engines who were chasing him that he zipped right past a red signal, which, compared to his, failed to escape Thomas, Percy, and Rosie's attention, and they applied their brakes and stopped just in time. The signalman stepped out onto the balcony.
"I just saw a strange engine zoom right by here." said the signalman.
"Was it purple and gray without a face and a Decepticon insignia on his smoke deflectors?" Percy asked.
"That would be it." nodded the signalman. "How would you know?"
Thomas explained the situation to the signalman, who was then requested to relay the information to the dock manager at Brendam Docks, who then relaid the news to all the workers, plus Salty, Porter, and the cranes.
"Well, blow me down!" gasped Salty.
"That explains everything!" added Porter.
At that moment, Astrotrain arrived.
"There he is!" Carly shouted.
"We have to stop him!" added Cranky.
"But how?" asked Big Mickey.
Just then, Cranky had an idea.
"I know." he said.
Crankey then swung his crane arm and threw a load of steel pipes out of his hold. The pipes clattered down onto the track and right into Astrotrain's path.
"Oh, scrap!" Astrotrain gasped.
Astrotrain slammed on his brakes, but it was too late. His wheels hit the pipes and he flew right off the rails and onto his side.
"Darn it!" he growled.
Cranky, on the other hand, was pleased with the results of his actions, as were Salty, Porter, Carly, and Big Mickey.
"Bullseye!" Cranky cried out.
"Nice shot, matey!" cheered Salty.
"That was one in a million!" hooted Porter.
Soon, Thomas, Percy, Rosie, and Sir Topham Hatt arrived at the scene. Sir Topham Hatt saw what Cranky had done, and he was pleased as well.
"Well done, Cranky!" he said while he gave Cranky a thumbs-up. "You stopped that villain!"
"Thank you, sir!" smiled Cranky.
Soon, Edward, at Sir Topham Hatt's request, brought Rocky from the Search And Rescue Center to lift Astrotrain back onto the tracks and clear up the pipes. Later, once everything was sorted out, and once the stolen goods and rolling stock had been recovered, Sir Topham Hatt scolded Astrotrain again as Thomas, Percy, and Rosie looked with anger burning in their own eyes.
"Well, Astrotrain, it goes without saying that you failed your trial." Sir Topham Hatt boomed. "You have caused quite a lot of trouble here. Therefore, I am sending you away from Sodor. However, instead of going back to your so-called "old railway", I will instead be sending you to Australia. Do you have anything to say before you go?"
Astrotrain said nothing. He just sat there idling angrily.
"Suit yourself." said Sir Topham Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt then looked up at Big Mickey.
"Load him up, Big Mickey!" he said.
"Yes, sir." replied Big Mickey.
Big Mickey then loaded Astrotrain onto a ship, and soon, said ship was on its away out of Brendam Docks. The three tank engines watched the ship leave with its villainous load.
"Good riddance." huffed Thomas.
"Boy, am I glad that's over." said Percy.
"And hopefully, if any more engines come here for a trial, they will be much nicer than that creep." added Rosie.
"I couldn't have said that better myself." said Sir Topham Hatt. "Now, I believe you three still have some work to do."
With that, Thomas, Percy, and Rosie scurried away to attend to whatever jobs they had to do next. Meanwhile, as the ship continued toward its destination, Astrotrain continued to sulk.
"You and your puny friends win this time, Thomas the Tank Engine!" he said. "But I'll be back! Just you wait!"
Back on Sodor, as the sun began to set, Thomas, Percy, Rosie, and Toby were simmering down at Ffarquhar Sheds. By this point, Toby had been informed of had happened with Astrotrain.
"Goodness me." he gasped. "What a cad."
"He was indeed." agreed Thomas. "But I speak for all of us when I saw that I'm happy he won't be bothering us anymore."
The rest of the Ffarquhar Branch engines agreed, and as they, along with every other engine on Sodor, all fell asleep, they all felt pleased to finally put the Astrotrain incident behind them.
The End
