"It seems I will need to call in a diesel," Sir Topham Hatt frowned as he sat at the table pensively. "Are you sure you don't have any Steam Engines you can loan?"
He looked to Olivia who was sitting across from him staring at the huge planning table before them. She was staring at the tiny model of Edward in her hand.
She placed the model on the table and crossed her arms with a sour look.
"We would, however, most of the ones we could loan have expired boiler tickets or are under restoration," she sighed. "The rest we can't even get out of the shed because we have no crews. Unless you want to provide crews then we can't help you."
Sir Topham gave an exhausted sigh.
"What about another railway?" Olivia suggested. The museum doesn't claim all the steam engines out there you know. And it might be a chance for you to exhibit another railways' engines for publicity. I hear sweet little Stepney has been itching to come back."
"Perhaps," he said. "But that will take time. Regardless I need another engine now and dealing with the other railways will take time we don't have."
"Well then, what are your options?"
"A British Railways Class 35 'Hymek' and a Class 42 'Warship'," Sir Topham explained.
"Go with the Hymek," Olivia said. "Most of the ones I've dealt with are sweet and good workers. No idea about the Warships."
"I just worry about how the engines will deal with another new engine within a month," Sir Topham said. "Gordon never liked new engines or changes. But he's being especially nasty with what's happening with Green Arrow."
"Green Arrow is a special case," Olivia reminded him.
She raised an eyebrow as she saw the man become pensive.
"What's he done?"
"Green Arrow has been nothing but a perfect worker," Sir Topham assured Olivia. "He's currently one of the most reliable engines working. The issue is the other engines bullying him."
"I see," Olivia mused. "Yvonne has been complaining about it."
"I saw it myself this morning. James and Henry insulted and belittled him in front of me," he said. "I saw Spencer and Gordon also bullying him at Knapford this morning. I reprimanded them but Gordon completely refused to take responsibility."
Olivia looked deeply concerned.
"It's worse than I thought I see," she said. "Which is odd, because Flying Scotsman is the least hostile towards Green Arrow."
Olivia and Sir Topham sat in quiet contemplation for a few long moments.
"Maybe if Flying Scotsman himself was to speak out against the harassment, do you think it would help?" Olivia suggested.
"It's worth a shot. I don't want to lose one of the best engines currently on the railway," Sir Topham said. "I heard that Flying Scotsman had an issue this morning."
"His water injector got blocked, he's up at Ffarquhar Station waiting for someone to take him back to Ulfstead Castle," Olivia said.
"Green Arrow was double heading with Thomas along that branchline today," Sir Topham said cautiously.
"If Green Arrow is alright to do so I figured he could," Olivia said.
"Is that wise?"
"Scotsman seemed to think so," Olivia said but Sir Topham looked unconvinced.
"What, do you think Scotsman's going to shove him into a lagoon or down a mine or something?" Olivia said with an amused smile.
"I've heard stories," Sir Topham said with a disapproving expression.
Olivia gave the man a sad smile.
"Cain Dover hurt both engines, he took away Green Arrow's promised restoration and his freedom, in favour of Flying Scotsman to make more money for himself," She explained. "Scotsman has been feeling guilty over it since the Steam Gala. I've tried to tell him it wasn't his fault but it still eats away at him terribly."
Sir Topham's disapproving expression turned to one of sympathy.
"So Scotsman wants to make up for Cain's actions against Green Arrow? Is that why you asked Green Arrow on Thomas' branchline?"
"I spoke to Thomas and explained everything, I feel Green Arrow would feel comfortable to have a friend and if they 'accidentally' happened upon Flying Scotsman there, well that's just a coincidence isn't it?" Olivia said with a devious grin.
"Does Flying Scotsman even have a faulty Injector?"
"No, but he was being such a whiny baby about the cold this morning that his crew just left him in the sun to warm up and stop complaining," her grin widened.
Sir Topham stared at her while she only grinned at him.
"Stainer warned me about you pulling stuff like this," he muttered and Olivia laughed. "I thought it was just your old rivalry showing."
"I can't be all to blame, the Flying Scotsman is an airy fairy thing," she rolled her eyes. "He can force his hand if he needs to. Or rather, just complain and be annoying until someone relents."
"Hand?"
"Buffer, hand, you know what I mean," Olivia waved a hand dismissively. "Usually City of Truro keeps Scotsman in line, the two like to sit and complain all night about things. Grumpy old men, those two."
"If that's the case maybe I should let Gordon sleep at Ulfstead castle," Sir Topham suggested and Olivia laughed.
"It's worth a shot I guess!"
Pendennis Castle jumped as Tornado's whistle screamed in his ear as she pulled up next to him. She didn't let up however and her face was red with embarrassment.
"Making a statement are we Ms Tornado?" He teased and she glared at him.
"My whistle jammed again," she snapped. "It's not funny!"
"It happens," PenPen waved it off but he was very obviously trying not to laugh.
"This is the fifth time this month!" She snapped annoyed. "I think there's something wrong with me."
"Nah don't worry about it," PenPen assured her. "This kinda thing used to happen all the time back in the day, your crew will find you a perfect whistle."
There was a loud thunk as one of her crew managed to stop the whistle with a hefty smack with a hammer.
Tornado breathed a huge sigh of relief. She relished the quiet before gazing at PenPen.
"Hello PenPen," She greeted the Castle who smiled at him. "Sorry for, you know, whatever that was."
Pendennis laughed.
"Don't worry about it, I've caught Scott out when his whistle jammed, he took it a lot less humbly than you," he said with a grin. "Scott's always been a fussy old thing, even when he was brand new. Come to think of it, most of his brothers and sisters were major fusspots."
Tornado looked curious.
The Flying Scotsman never spoke of his other brothers and sisters. She'd asked but he never told her, never even told her their names.
He often avoided the topic when she brought it up.
"He never talks about them," Tornado said quietly. "Whenever I ask he just avoids the subject."
PenPen hummed in thought.
"From what I remember he was bullied or ignored by his siblings," he said. "He was a lonely engine especially after Gordon was sold to the NWR."
"Did he have any friends after that?" Tornado asked curiously.
"He had two very close friends, a Caley 652 lad named Finley whenever he went to Edinborugh and a LNER V2 called Coldstreamer or as we called her, Ice Queen," Pendennis recalled with a smile on his face. "What a fierce thing she was."
Tornado sat silently for a long time. Scotsman rarely if ever spoke about anyone else except Gordon.
She was beginning to realise just how little she knew about her adoptive big brother.
She barely knew anything about his past life.
"I- I didn't know that," she said quietly. "Scott never talks about his old friends or life other than Gordon and his trips around the world."
"Understandably," Pendennis said drawing her attention away from her thoughts. "They were both scrapped. Same with his brothers and sisters. It broke him. More than he would ever admit I think."
A long silence ensured where nothing but the cold breeze from the sea bit at their boilers.
Finally Tornado spoke.
"Outside of Gordon and myself, is Scott close with anyone?"
Pendennis was silent for the longest time. He instead stared out at the fields and the horizon beyond.
"I don't know, but if I had to guess, probably not. He gets along with Bittern and Truro is probably the one he trusts the most but their relationship is mostly professional in nature," he said softly. "But, I'd hazard a guess as to why he wanted to save Green Arrow. He's the last of Coldstreamer's class. Despite everything Arrow did, it would make sense that he would want to save the last of his best friends engines."
Tornado was quiet.
She'd been friends with Green Arrow once. He'd been nice, she had fond memories of him but they'd been soiled when he had bad mouthed her in front of the other engines.
She didn't want to admit it but she did miss hanging around with the smaller Gresley.
"Can't be easy for him though," PenPen murmured his expression dark. "Being the last of his class. At least Scotsman has Gordon. They argue but, at the end of the day they're brothers."
Tornado looked down at the in front of her.
"What about you? Do you ever get lonely being the only one of your kind?" PenPen asked her.
"Not really," she said softly. "I don't have any build siblings and all the Peppercorns are gone. Can't really miss something you've never had."
PenPen gave a soft humm.
"I only ask because you've been very depressed lately," PenPen said concerned. "And I do worry about you."
Tornado was silent for a long moment.
"I miss Gordon and Scott," she said quietly. "It's been almost two years since I saw them last. And now Rebecca and Olivia are on Sodor too and I can't go anywhere because someone needs to take over for Scott."
She didn't want to admit it but she was missing Green Arrow too.
For all his faults, he had been her first friend. He had been encouraging and helpful and despite everything, he never told anyone else her secrets.
Pendennis gazed at Tornado sadly.
"You know, us old coots can take on some of your responsibilities Tornado," he offered and Tornado looked up at him. "If you need help you can simply ask. If you want to visit Sodor for a little while, we can handle it."
"Really? Truro always made it sound like I was supposed always be on the job," Tornado said and Pendennis gave a chuckle. "I always feel bad for disappointing him."
"He's the pride of the Great Western, his work ethic sometimes borders on Masochism of course he would be oblivious to that," Pendennis rolled his eyes. "Your work ethic shouldn't be at the expense of your health, Young Iron."
Tornado gave him a shy hopeful smile at his words.
"I'd like to see my brothers again," she said softly. "More than anything."
Pendennis Castle smiled at her before blowing excess steam as the guard blew his whistle.
"I'll talk to Truro, you deserve a rest young iron."
PenPen began to pull out of the station.
"Thank-you PenPen," Tornado smiled at him as he left with a cheery whistle.
"It says here that Sir Topham Hatt ordered a Hymek not a Warship," the Station Master at Vicarstown looked completely confused.
"Welp there must have been a mistake somewhere because it said he ordered a Warship on the mainland papers," the driver, Parker, said dismissively. "Either way, we've come all the way from London and we don't intend to go back for nothing."
The Stationmaster looked annoyed at the attitude of the driver.
"One moment, allow me to call Sir Topham," he said with a glance at the driver and the very strange diesel.
"This better work old man," the Warship Diesel snapped. "The boss ain't gonna be too happy if we gotta find another way in."
"Oh stop your fussing, it'll work," the man said with a snide grin. "Fat hat's desperate for engines right now. You think he'd choose a diesel over a steamie?"
"Yeah alright, point made but just rolling up to the door is bold, even for me," the diesel said.
"Quit your whining, we got a nasty little sneak to catch," Parker said and the Diesel grinned maliciously.
"Maybe even Pinchy will get a hold of some even more famous metal. And not just that silenced green dill pickle," the diesel chuckled as the claw attached to it snapped eagerly. "Pinchy's always wanted a piece of 'fame',"
Parker quickly hushed him as the stationmaster came back.
"Sir Topham says he definitely ordered a Hymek not this Warship," he said sternly. "However, seeing as you're already here, he's prepared to keep you for now and sort the paperwork out later."
"That is excellent sir!" The Diesel said happily.
The Stationmaster flinched. He felt uneasy about this strange engine and its bizarre attachments.
"You are on probation and will be watched," the Stationmaster said coldly. "One wrong move and you'll be sent back."
"You can count on him to do his job, I'll make sure of it," Parker said before they raced off in an oil cloud of smoke, the diesel laughing like a maniac.