"So, what did the engines say?" Diesel 10 asked Paxton, once the latter had returned to the Steamworks to complete his master's request.
"Why, Diesel 10 sir- it was incredible!" The teal diesel squealed excitedly.
"Was it?"
"Yes, indeed- they didn't even say a word!"
"And did you mention the slander? For James and Percy?"
I did, sir." Paxton replied dutifully. "I talked about James's incident with the trucks on his first day, and of course, I just had to bring up the whole 'Bootlace' incident." He and Diesel 10 giggled at the image of James's coach being repaired with the passenger's bootlace.
"What else did you mention about James, Paxton?" The ochre diesel inquired slyly.
"Well, I did mention the more recent incidents, like him being painted pink for the Fat Controller's granddaughter, and being painted like a bumblebee- All because of..."
"...Percy!" The two diesels laughed in chorus. "Now what did you have to say about little Percy's screwups?" Diesel 10 asked, eager to hear more.
"I brought up the thing with the chocolate factory, all his word mispronunciations, his fight with Thomas...and of course, Diesel 10, the whole thing that just occurred..."
"Hmm, of course," Diesel 10 mused to himself. "Pah! That Percy and James are nothing more than a disgrace to this railway! I'm sure the engines agreed with your mentions of these sorts."
"Well, yes- they did." Paxton stuttered. "But they weren't very amused- it turns out they already heard of these things before, and well...I guess hearing about them for the umpteenth time, it tends not to be funny anymore..." The younger diesel admitted sheepishly.
"Nothing at all!? Diesel 10 spluttered. "Drat- isn't Lady Hatt and the Inspector on their way? However will we convince them now?"
"Lady Hatt is here, sir! Here she comes- pretend you're afraid, sir, and don't speak until you're pleaded with. And make sure the Reverend and the Vicar are sitting in your cab, along with Arry and Bert. Then I'll come in and make a case as to why you should be ruler of the rails!"
Paxton changed countenance sharply, surprising his superior somewhat. "But don't be easily won over the engines- behave modestly, sir, and always answer "No," but taking it in the end."
"Hm, of course, my dear Paxton, how loyal a companion you've become!" Diesel 10 replied, pleased with the younger diesel's work. "I'm going now, and- if you're as good as pleading to them as I am at saying no to you-most of the time- this will definitely come to a happy end. For you, and for me." He added, with an unreadable tone, and oiled away.
Paxton was too naive (or too flustered) to understand what his superior meant- but nonetheless, he had work to do.
This plan was going swimmingly.